John Homer 70, a man known by the West Bromwich Albion faithful reveals how programmes are truly brought to the fans.
Football clubs thrive on the unsung heroes behind the scenes, from kit managers and dinner ladies to programme editors.
Although it only appears on just a single page of a jam-packed programme, a lot more goes into the making than you think.
“The notes, you look at, is the opposition.
“Is there anything unusual about Albion games against the opposition.
“And then you look at contextual things that happen at the time.
“Or, you come across people who’ve got a lovely story.
“And you think that’s great from the column, you know.
“I like to think my little column in the programme is slightly different to everything else.
“It brings a touch of humanity sometimes to the situation and makes people appreciate whatever our situation win, lose or draw.” Homer said.
West Brom face the league leaders Sheffield United in the EFL Championship this weekend.
Up next: The Blades. 👊
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) December 5, 2024
Just how much time does Homer have to prepare his column, especially with the hectic schedules ahead during the Christmas period?
“So for example, you have to make sure notes are in by a Tuesday for a Saturday game.
“Like the Sheffield United one coming up.
“There’s a couple of columns already done and things happen you know.
“I get queries by the football club, from people.
“Do you know anything about my daddy who played for the Albion?
“And sometimes these wonderful facts come out of this you know, other things like that.”
Homer who was given his prestigious honour by the club back in 2017 for his dedication to the Albion Foundation, organising coach travel, and conducting tours of The Hawthorns added a fascinating backstory to one of his recent matchday columns.
“I don’t know if you remember the one about the fisherman Percy Anderson?
“A bloke rang up, one of my mates from Corry bank and said that this ‘Percy Anderson’ was freed by the Albion in 1954 “Do you know anything about him?
“I then got my Sherlock Holmes hat on, magnifying glass and my dog and off I go.
“It turned out that he was in the Albion reserves.
“He left and played one game for Stockport County.
“But, what we didn’t know he was a Fisherman and ever since he was little and he was into fishing.
“Eventually after he left football completely, he becomes a world class fisherman.
“He has a column in the Angling times and goes all over the world representing the fishing.
“That’s all come from one queer and I think that’s a brilliant story.”
