Meet John Lovell, Vintage Rugby Programme Collector

Meet John Lovell, the vintage rugby programme collector who has enough stuff to open up his own museum
Over four decades, John Lovell has dedicated his life to collecting memorabilia and programmes which tell a fascinating century-long story of rugby. It started with a leek. Forty-three years later, John Lovell has several hundred rugby programmes, invaluable memorabilia, and even a boxful of old Rugby World magazines. His collection is a treasure trove of social and sporting history that narrates a century-long rugby story.

Lovell recalls how it all began with a trip he took with his father, David, a Welshman, and a friend to Edinburgh for the Scotland vs. Wales match in 1983. They journeyed 200 miles in a Vauxhall Cavalier, inspired by the cultivation of a leek from his father's garden as a good luck charm. With no tickets in hand, Lovell’s father sought them in local pubs while Lovell was left outside. A chance encounter with a drunk Welshman led Lovell to sell the leek for 50p, which he then used to buy his very first rugby programme—igniting his passion.

Since that day, Lovell has collected programmes from every game he attended, whether it was his local club Wharfedale RUFC or significant tournaments like the Grand Slam in 2005. His collection also includes a Daily Mirror poster of Will Carling, a T-shirt from the 1991 World Cup final, and an All Blacks jersey from their 1989 tour.

As of now, Lovell estimates he possesses around 550 items, with about a quarter acquired from games he attended and the remainder through various means, including a boxload of programmes he received in 1989 after writing to NZ Rugby magazine. This led to significant experiences in the 1991 Rugby World Cup when he managed to gain a press pass and attended multiple games, including the famous upset by Western Samoa against Wales.

Lovell employs several methods to enhance his collection, often using eBay or Vinted to search for rare finds. He tends to prioritize items that hold personal significance rather than simply valuable pieces. Despite some collectors spending thousands for specific programmes, Lovell remains focused on personal attachment, particularly to programmes from the 1970s, admiring the history they represent.

As he reviews his collection, he notes some prized items, like a British & Irish Lions Test programme from the 1989 tour in Australia. His collection is distinct in its lack of structured organization, blending family photos and memorabilia, reflecting a lifelong love for rugby and its history.