Old programmes are still worth something — but not THAT much!
When you've been a supporter for as long as I have, and there's still several supporters around who watched Cray quite a long time before I started going to their games, you tend to pick them up as often as a wayward penny on a pavement. Here's a thought... if I'd kept all the pennies that I've picked up over the years in a jar, I'd probably have a fair few quid saved up by now.
I would say that quite a number of my programmes from the past are now collectors' items. After all, where on this planet are they still being produced? Cray's programmes were only printed in limited bundles and quite a few of them were discarded by supporters after they'd read them. And that makes the surviving programmes even scarcer.
This afternoon, I ventured onto eBay just to have a nose around and, I couldn't believe the silly prices that some sellers are trying to sell old Cray Wanderers programmes and memorabilia for on there. Let's take a 'for instance', a Cray Wanderers v FC Uden programme that I personally edited and produced back in 1976, was listed for £11.24 (knocked down from £14.99). On the day we played FC Uden, that same programme was given away FREE or 'sold' for a small donation (and we are talking small, maybe 10p per person who donated). It consisted of the pre-printed shiny cover with my 4-page insert. Certainly not worth more than a fiver nowadays, for nostalgia or reference purposes only, even if I say so myself. But, three times that amount...?!
There's also a few fake 'club' items listed on eBay, for instance a 'pork pie' hat with the club's badge (that I designed in 2003) in black print on a white background. I say the item is fake because I only ever designed it for the club in amber and black. Whoever is producing this fake has edited out the colour and it is so obvious that it is not official club issue. Beware also of beanie hats with a similar unofficial club badge.
One more item that caught my eye was a Cray Wanderers Supporters Club badge that was claimed to be 'rare' in the listing heading. When I clicked on it, there's a banner at the top of the page that states "This listing was ended by the seller because there was an error in the listing". Of course there was probably an error... maybe a claim that wasn't true was stated and somebody had called the seller out on it. However, what I found on a subsequent listing for the same item stated in the description, "A vintage broochpin badge in great condition for its age". Most likely the pin broke off at the back of the badge after the seller had listed it; that's why I threw all mine away! A badge is only as strong as its pin. The price on eBay? It could have been yours for £72.38 plus a 'mere' £8.99 delivery!
Allow me to let you in on a secret, if you haven't already worked it out for yourselves. At Flamingo Park, there is an official club shop, where Steve Hodson and Phil Babbs are willing to sell you matchday programmes from the past for sensible prices. Many of those programmes, it could be argued, are collectors' items. Steve and Phil also have a wide and varied selection of official Cray Wanderers merchandise. What you'll find for sale on eBay is presented by chancers for inflated prices. What you'll find in the treasure chest that is the club shop comes with expert knowledge and sensible prices. It's a no-brainer.
Before I get too carried away with what is turning into an advert for the club shop, I dare say that my own collection of matchday programmes from Cray's past will go up for sale or auction one day, but for sensible prices. I am not in any market for ripping supporters off or for conning people. Or, I might just donate them all to the club shop and then let Steve and Phil have the headache of getting rid of them on my behalf. By then, I'll be long gone and, depending where I eventually end up, I'll probably be beyond caring.
Basically, whatever items you are looking for relating to Cray Wanderers, my best advice to you is to check with the club shop at Flamingo Park. Don't, don't, don't be tempted to buy dodgy 'retro' stuff relating to Cray Wanderers from the internet unless it can be verified as 100% authentic. You work hard for your income so please don't blow it on hooky stuff.