Joe Bloggs has a secret. An unassuming softly spoken man, he would never stand out from a crowd as he stepped down from the Victoria tube train and made his way to one of the most iconic landmarks in North West London. Joe after all realises that without his contribution, some tens of thousands of Arsenal fans would never be able to enjoy their matchday and stand the chance of winning a prize which is announced by Arsene Wenger every half-time at the Emirates Premier league games. For Joe you see is the man responsible for finalising the matchday programme.
Each programme takes up to 4 weeks in design and editorial before it reaches the final print run. Using some of the most sophisticated photographic and design techniques that the Nasa Space administration would be proud of, Joe ensures that each home game, every Arsenal fan has the opportunity of buying a unique souvenir of their visit to the Home of Football. The programme has won many awards, and each season the challenge is to expand the envelope and break new boundaries. To boldly go where no programme has gone before.
Each photograph has to be inspected and before it reaches the hallowed pages of this world famous fanzine, there has to be checks on copyright, image rights and of course editorial approval of the accompanying copy. Joe is right to be proud of the programme and here are the typical 2 days prior to the match day publication.
0600 – zero minus 2 days
Joe makes sure that the print run has completed and that some 100,000 copies have been dispatched to the secret location somewhere in Islington.
1300 – zero minus 2 days
Joe has the chance to peruse the order manifests of programmes that have to be shipped abroad to over 100 Arsenal supporters clubs across the world.
1700 –zero minus 2 days
Joe has had final communications with the courier companies and the cargo officer in UK customs to ensure that these precious items are dispatched on time.
0900 – zero minus 1 day
This is the last opportunity to ensure that all vendors have their correct allocations and are aware of the security protocols to prevent themselves being at risk around the stadium. But in over ten years of being responsible for co-ordinating these routines with all the military precision of a commando raid, Joe has never had a single vendor cause a problem.
1700 – zero minus 1 day
Joe walks back to the tube station, with all the air of a very proud father. If you saw him on the tube, he would no doubt be looking quietly confident.
0900 – Zero day
Joe checks his mobile phone and e-mails for any reports of absence or sickness from the appointed vendors. He also confirms that they have a clear understanding of what their targets are for the upcoming game.
11.00 Zero day
Joe checks with the Armoury manager that all copies of programmes are ready for sale.
12.00 Zero day
The first copies are released for sale and the distribution begins. There are still three hours before kick off, and Joe will not rest until he is assured that the Arsenal fans are happy with their purchase.
1700 Zero day
The matchday is nearly over, and Joe checks his e-mail for any comments or criticisms about the received content. The vendors have returned unsold allocations and now the task of mailing the requested programme from the Arsenal store online begins.
2100 Zero day
Joe is relaxing against the bar at his local, looking slightly smug. In his hand is a pint of his favourite tipple, and as he reflects upon the end of his day, his thoughts are already focused upon the day which will begin on Monday, the midweek programme for the Champions league. Joe would not swop his job for any other at the Club, for he knows just how important his role is. But as I said, if you ever sat opposite Joe on the tube, on the bustling melee that is the Victoria line, you would never know that he was responsible for one of the most important aspects of matchday. Mind you, having said all of that, Joe is quite humble and suggests that it is his team should take all of the praise.
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