OFFICIAL HISTORY OF POMPEY CARD AND STICKER BK

A new book about Pompey charts the story of collector cards and stickers published about the club since 1900.

The Official History of Pompey Cards and Stickers has been written by fan and collector Ed Emptage and is published by the Pompey History Society, in partnership with the club and the society’s print partner Bishops Printers.

The launch of the book coincides with the start of the club’s 125th anniversary season celebration in April.

The 204-page volume is a treasure trove of nostalgia and a trip down memory lane for fans of all ages. The development of the genre from cigarette cards through to more recent innovations by the likes of Panini and Topps is lovingly charted by Emptage.

In addition, the book provides a unique window on the ups and downs of the south coast’s most successful club.

Emptage said: “I started working on this project in 2015 and initially approached the Pompey History Society around four years ago. Unfortunately the pandemic then hit, delaying production, so I am thrilled to see the book finally come to fruition. It brings together two passions of mine and I am delighted with the result.”

Colin Farmery, Chair of the Pompey History Society, added: “Telling the story of the club in accessible ways is one of the objectives of the society and having the chance to make this delightful book available to fans was one we simply couldn’t pass up.”

Proceeds from the book will go towards a society legacy project for the 125th anniversary, which is to commission a replica of the Division Three South title the club won in 1924 for the club’s trophy cabinet.

The society’s publishing arm recently brought out the Pompey Champions of England book, which sold out in just two months and is now out-of-print, raising £7,500 for the Pompey Supporters’ Trust Jimmy Dickinson Statue Fund.