wartime programmes

League Football was suspended on 3rd September 1939 after Albion had played three games in Division Three (South). After a two-week suspension, clubs began to play friendlies (see the first programme below, for the game against Crystal Palace), but at the beginning of October, the Football League met at Crewe and agreed on plans for a regional competition starting on 21st October.

Unlike the Great War period, Albion decided to keep the club running, along with the vast majority of clubs throughout the land.

Wartime football continued until May 5th 1945, three days before VE Day.

For obvious reasons, programmes from that time were either not produced, or did not survive, so any that do come to light, are extremely sought-after. The images of the home programmes that follow, were provided by Albion fan Ken Stone, who has now sadly passed away. He saw his first game in November 1941 when Albion played some games at Lewes. I am so grateful to Ken’s wife Christine for sending these through to me. I am also grateful to Heritage Society members Dave Forshaw and Kev Beales, for some of the other images, as well as Mick Wright.

I hope you enjoy looking through them