WORCESTER City may be struggling on the field -- but they have moved into the big league with their new-look matchday programme.

For the first time this season, City are producing a full colour programme for every home match.

It is a rarity among clubs in the Dr Martens League Premier Division.

One of a number of ideas suggested by former manager Graham Allner to improve City's profile, the new-look programme has drawn a favourable response.

Programme co-ordinator Dave Boddy said: "From what I can gather the supporters' reaction seems to be very positive.

"It is certainly a vast improvement on previous years and it is aimed at a new image for the club."

Boddy enlisted Colourplan, a St Helen's-based firm who produce programmes for several Football League and Premiership clubs, including Everton, to produce the City effort.

"They are all geared up to printing full-colour programmes and put a deal together that was affordable.

"I think sales have increased overall. With the recent results and crowds, sales in recent weeks haven't been what they might have but early in the season when the crowds were there, they were buying them in numbers."

"Every club that has been here has been very impressed with it. Certainly it has raised a few eyebrows with other clubs."

Programme editor Julian Pugh added: "I have only heard good reports, which I am pleased about."

Pugh has the job of collating information, news, pen pictures of opponents tables and photographs -- many of which are supplied by the Evening News -- to meet deadlines of Tuesday for a Saturday game or Thursday for a midweek match.

"You are never going to be entirely up to date but everybody at the club is very co-operative in providing me with information."

City travel to King's Lynn on Saturday in the Dr Martens League Premier Division.

Thursday, December 9, 1999.