Read all about it: future of the ‘fishul’ matchday programme is in doubt

● Digital media blamed as English clubs prepare to vote on mandatory publication

It is a much-loved football staple which has spawned a sub-culture of avid collectors – but the future of the matchday programme has been placed into doubt.

The digital revolution is threatening its very existence and clubs in England could be about to consign the humble programme to the dustbin of history.

English Football League sides are to hold a vote in June which could bring to an end the mandatory publication of the matchday magazine. The EFL, which overees the divisions below the Premier League and the English League Cup, revealed several of its members have queried the requirement for clubs to offer a physical version of their product in an era of social media.

Those clubs have reported a drop in sales in the current climate and there will now be a ballot on the issue at the forthcoming summer meeting.

A statement issued by the EFL said: “At its summer meeting in June 2018, EFL clubs will vote on a proposal that will determine whether or not it is an absolute requirement to produce a match programme from the start of season 2018/19 onwards.

“A number of clubs have asked the EFL if the mandatory

0 Programmes are collectable. publication of a match programme can be addressed as a result of an overall decline in sales and the proliferation of digital and social media, which has the ability to deliver the same content in a more cost effective manner.”

The news did not go down well with some.

Posting on Twitter, Tom Edwards said: “I cannot believe the EFL is considering allowing football clubs to stop printing matchday programmes. Ludicrous beyond belief. Programmes are an intrinsic part of British football culture in this country.”

Eddie Mackintosh posted: “I feel naked without a programme.”