VIDEO: Ken shows off his impressive collection. pic.twitter.com/Cb6MLo3mcs
— Daniel Angelini (@Adver_Daniel) June 29, 2018
A SWINDON Town superfan is one item away from completing an impressive collection.
Ken Bridgeman from Rodbourne has been collecting match-day programmes since the 1950s.
The 81-year-old has a small room with boxes full of pamphlets from every single match the team have played since the Second World War.
There’s only one that he doesn’t have, which is from an away game against Brighton on September 17 1947, and he’s desperate to find it.
Ken said: “Everyone says I’m mad, but altogether the programmes are worth more than £20,000.
“This room is like Aladdin’s cave, I spend hours in here looking through the old programmes and reminiscing.
“I’ve gone to programme fairs, looked through catalogues and spoken to other collectors, I’ve tried everything but no-one has the last one I’m looking for.
“Swindon Town are my favourite team and I’ve got a lot of fond memories of the club.
“I cheer when they win and get disappointed when they lose - it’s been a rollercoaster over the last few years.
“I went to my first game in 1947, then began collecting when I started going to matches regularly in the ‘50s.
“I was on the sports club committee for seven years selling programmes with my wife Jenny.
“Now I only go to matches on special occasions because I have COPD and care for her, but I always listen to them on the radio.”
Ken has also bought programmes from as far back as 1908, plus signed STFC memorabilia, and dozens of programmes from other league teams and the Swindon Speedway.
He keeps track of all his precious programmes in a large logbook.
Ken even appeared in the sports pages of the Adver back in 1999.
He added: “Back then I had three missing from my collection and 19 years later I’m still looking for one.
“That shows how hard they are to find. I’ll be amazed if anyone does have one but it would be nice to get it.”
Ken is offering a £100 reward for the Brighton match-day programme.
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