Programme earns praise

West Ham United's Official Programme has placed third in the Northern Programme Club's 2013/14 Premier League Awards.

The Hammers' 84-page Programme earned praise for its content and design in the Club's Independent View magazine, while editor Rob Pritchard was named runner-up in the Editor's Award category.

To complete an impressive hat-trick, the traditional 'Over Land and Sea' page containing detailed information about West Ham's next away fixture was awarded third place in the Best Feature section.

In placing West Ham third behind Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion, the Independent View judged the Hammers' Official Programme as follows:

"West Ham United have proved again that a little tweak here and there, as well as knowing what fans want to read about, can see a programme rise rapidly through the ranks and clinch a top-three place at the very least," said the judgement.

"It has to be said that there are a number of features which have propelled this programme into one of the frontrunners this year, and it is not only in our competition where it has excelled and been highly praised.

"The balance between the usual up-to-date stuff and historical features is just about right, while the printing quality is exceptional.

"Design-wise, a number of other clubs should take a look at this programme, if for no other reason than for utilising the benefits of how to integrate your club colours on page headings and images."

In praising editor Pritchard, Independent View labelled West Ham's programme 'amazing' and observed that it has 'steadily improved in recent years'.

"I would suggest that we have not seen the last of this programme in its current high placing in our awards. There is still more to come from east London," read the judgement.

Finally, the 'Over Land and Sea' feature earned praise for showing that 'simple and original features are just as appealing in modern-day programmes'.

To purchase back issues of West Ham United's highly-regarded 2013/14 Official Programme, please click here.