FA Cup magic was in the air this Valentine’s weekend as clubs showed their affection for the prestigious competition with some lovingly-crafted matchday programmes.
Hull City got the ball rolling on Friday evening at MKM Stadium as they welcomed back former manager Liam Rosenior and his star-studded Chelsea side. As well as an exclusive interview from captain Lewie Coyle about putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract with his hometown club, there was also a rummage through the archives to a famous FA Cup quarter-final tie against the Londoners 60 years ago.
Elsewhere, six-time competition winners Manchester City included an interview with Academy product Nico O’Reilly in another high-quality publication for a meeting with near neighbours Salford City. For the second successive season the League Two minnows are crossing the road to play at the Etihad, although this time being the first time in their history in the Fourth Round of the tournament.
Grimsby Town’s offering for a home tie at Blundell Park against Premier League opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers was a bumper 84-page specification with a brilliant montaged front cover.
Saturday’s edition of ‘Saints’ ahead of a second meeting in a week with Leicester City opted for an arty shot of the silverware on the cover, something ‘Blues News’ also mirrored in a simplistic, yet effective, frontage for their first clash against top-flight Leeds United in the competition since 2013.
Aston Villa had an all-Premier League affair with Newcastle United that saw the prestigious ‘News & Record’ title sport a Nineties theme for the designated ‘Heritage Fixture’ by the Claret & Blues, as last season’s semi-finalists look to go deep into the competition once again.
Immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the competition by visiting our FA Cup area now, while stocks last, https://www.ignitionsportsmedia.com/collections/fa-cup