Each month we shall take a look at an Albion ‘programme from the past’. The majority of programmes will be rarities, allowing a much wider audience to view them, perhaps for the very first time.

Birmingham City v Albion, Friendly, Friday 23rd January 1970, St Andrews

Forty years ago this month, and with Albion and Blues both suffering 3rd round FA Cup defeats almost three weeks previously, the two clubs decided to avoid a ‘blank’ weekend and arranged a friendly fixture to take place at St Andrews.

The match, played in front of an impressive 20,110 crowd, finished in a 2-2 draw. Jeff Astle and Colin Suggett scored the Albion goals.

The front cover of the programme featured City star Trevor Hockey and Sally Evans - Blues’ Supporters’ Football Queen.

A generous four pages were given over to feature the visitors including a centre-spread team photo which included the likes of Osbourne, Brown, Astle and Hope.

The rest of the programme includes two pages of facts and stats and a look back at Blues’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United five years earlier, a game which prevented Leeds from being crowned League Champions.

The only advert in the programme is on the back cover, inviting supporters to pop into the Blues’ clubshop - ‘The Beautique’.

The 12 page programme originally cost 1 shilling (5 pence). It does appear on dealers lists quite frequently and is not too expensive, a copy can often be obtained for a couple of pounds.

View the complete programme here