With this season's F.A. Cup Final fast approaching it gives a good opportunity to look back at a time when Liverpool were involved in this event.

With plans for a new stadium and its capacity still ongoing, it remains to be seen whether a Liverpool home match will have an attendance greater than that which saw an FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolves in February 1952.

Whenever one acquires an old programme it is always a bonus to discover that the issue holds extra historical significance.

It seems strange today with Southampton having been in the top flight of English football for so long, that when they first visited Anfield they were a non-league side.

Although Liverpool were late developers in the League Cup we have certainly made up for lost time – winning it a record seven times since its inception in the 1960-61 season.

On the 13th January 1934 Liverpool played an FA Cup third round match against Fulham at Anfield.

One of the most interesting areas to collect is the realm of the friendly issue.

As I have mentioned in previous articles, just a few seasons after their formation, Liverpool began to issue a joint match programme with Everton.

Having previously reviewed what is probably the most valuable Liverpool home match programme in monetary terms it is now worth looking at one that could be seen as being the most valuable in historic terms – that which saw Bill Shankly’s first match in charge of the Reds.

On October 4th 1930 Liverpool travelled to St James Park to play Newcastle United in a Division One fixture.

The 1939-40 Football League programme was only three games old when war was declared on September 3rd and the competition abandoned.

Pre-war football programmes have always been highly sought after, with certain clubs issues being harder to obtain than others.

Once the programme collecting bug has well and truly bitten, many collectors move on from just focusing on first team related issues to obtaining programmes from any fixture featuring all levels of their chosen side.

Rome 1977 will always be associated with Liverpool Football Club.

The founding of Liverpool FC is closely linked with two people.

The 1980-81 season proved to be very memorable for both of today’s sides due to the success that they achieved. Aston Villa claimed the League Championship whilst Liverpool lifted the European Cup for the third time and won the League Cup for a first time.

One of the all time greats for the Reds (and there have been quite a few) is Kenny Dalglish.

The area of programme collecting that has seen the greatest increase in interest is the European away issue.

Liverpool hold a prominent place in Chelsea's history, being the first team to play them in a match at Stamford Bridge.

The first post-war season of 1946-47 saw Liverpool being crowned as Champions of England. Their second home match pitted them against Chelsea.

Interest in the clubs great history has surged in the last few years. Having the match programme provides a direct link to the club's past and helps bring alive many memories of both the good times and the bad.