Remembering The Sports Argus

Norman Bartlam's nostalgic look at a different era of football reporting

Most major cities had one. In Sheffield, Bristol and Aberdeen, it was green. Manchester’s was pink. In the Black Country, you had a choice of two. I’m talking, of course, about dedicated Saturday evening sports newspapers, rushed ‘off stone’ within minutes of the the final whistle, hurriedly printed, then despatched in a fleet of vans to city centres and suburbs, where thousands of football fans would pore over the day’s results, then delve inside for more detailed coverage of their favourite club.

These publications now seem as archaic as 78 RPM records or quill pens. Fluctuating kick off times following the advent of Sky TV meant publishers could no longer rely on a regular Saturday night audience; the rise of the internet gazumped their sense of immediacy. All in all, their time was up - but they were fun while they lasted; essential reading for any regular match-going fan and plenty of armchair supporters besides.

Birmingham based historian (and fellow Baggies fan) Norman Bartlam has now curated a beautiful collection of one of the best of these papers - the Sports Argus, which ran for 109 years before its closure, 20 years ago this week. It’s a fitting tribute to a much-loved West Midlands institution, featuring contributions from the likes of Steve Tudgay, who became a senior Sky producer; and one-time editor Jeremy Griffin, now a big cheese at The Times. As Norman reminds me, the Argus didn’t only feature big-time football; there were extensive non-league reports, plus cricket, greyhound racing, tennis, rugby union, speedway, bowls and (especially) angling.

You can watch my interview with Norman above, but if you’re looking for a shorthand verdict in the style of Argus, I’d sum up the book this way…

Form Rate: Outstanding.

Buy the book here