NOSTALGIA lovers and collectors travelled from all over Scotland to a memorabilia event in Auchinleck.

Beechwood Park was busier than normal on a sleepy Sunday, when there are only committee members and volunteers tidying up after the previous day’s match.

The event was the Auchinleck Talbot annual football programme and memorabilia fair, organised by John Holroyd, at the club’s social club and programme cabin.

Glossy modern match magazines nestled next to faded publications from the 50s and 60s along with an array of books, medals, badges and much more.

One visiting enthusiast needs three programmes to complete his collection of Scottish clubs’ home games in Europe — two Hibs, and one Dunfermline, match.

While he was unsuccessful, he left clutching two cup final issues from the 1950s which would fill another gap in his collection.

John said: “I was asked if I would consider selling memorabilia on behalf of the club four-and-a-half seasons ago.

“I had previously done it on a small business basis and I love doing it. The more money I can get for the club through what is a labour of love, then great.

“The fans have bought into it in a huge way as it all goes into the regeneration of facilities at the ground. We now have ladies and disabled toilets and a new pie hut was built.

“People contact us from all over the UK. One guy sent me 20 boxes up from London. He had just been made redundant and could afford the delivery costs. Donations have also came from the Republic of Ireland.”

Naturally, Talbot features strongly among John’s extensive stock and every now and again a gem is discovered, and there have been many over the years.

He said: “A donation from Dumfries included a number of South African programmes from the 70s.

“Traditionally you can’t give those away. But I was looking through them and came across one which said ‘making his debut today is Bobby Moore’ for a team called Hellenic.

“They were managed by John Byrne, who played with West Ham when they won the European Cup Winners Cup.

“That was the link there but, when I looked at the other team, called Jewish Guild, it included George Best.

“I thought, that has got to be worth money so I put in on Ebay and it went for £50, bought by a fan in Ireland because of the George Best connection.”

Talbot programme cabin is open at 12.30pm prior to a home match and also at half-time.

Every penny goes to the club and regular customers call in, some come to the match just to visit the cabin.

On Sunday, there were fans from far and wide at the fair,including Lytham St Annes, St Andrew’s and Tayport and business was brisk throughout the three-hour event.