Saturday sports paper

The Saturday sports paper is a generic name for a series of local newspapers published in the UK on a Saturday evening containing information about sports matches played on that day. Throughout most of the twentieth century they were very popular, representing one of the few up to date sources of information available to sports fans. More recently, however, circulations have fallen and many publications have been forced to close down.

Saturday sports papers were published locally, with a different paper produced in each area covering local teams in depth. They were often connected to the local newspaper. In Cardiff, for example, the Western Mail and Echo published the South Wales Sport Echo (previously the Football Echo.) [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4607366.stm Final whistle for sports 'pink'] , BBC News, 15 January 2006] In all areas Saturday sports papers were commonly nicknamed according to the colour of the paper they were printed on, which usually was not white. The "sports pink" or "green 'un" were common names. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-end-of-saturday-sports-papers-522178.html The end of Saturday sports papers?] , The Independent, 9 January 2006]

Most Saturday sports papers focus on football, providing match reports of games involving local teams and a full listing of final scores. Many also cover other traditional sports such as rugby or cricket and some have expanded into covering newer sports such as ice hockey. [ [http://www.intothestorm.co.uk/following.html Following Manchester Storm] , intothestorm.co.uk] Saturday sports papers are published as soon after full time as possible. Cardiff's South Wales Sports Echo was available to buy within twenty minutes of the end of the game, featuring half-time reports and full time scores, with a fuller edition later in the evening. Many sports fans have fond memories of going out to buy a Saturday sports paper as soon as it was printed to find out how their team had done. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2008/01/29/wills_magic_weekend_feature.shtml Will's magic weekend] , BBC]

Before the advent of TV and radio, Saturday sports papers were the only way most fans had of finding out sporting results and consequently they were very popular, some with circulations of more than 50,000. Since the start of the 21st century, however, Saturday sports papers have declined. Birmingham's Sports Argus, which used to be the biggest selling Saturday sports paper in the country, was one of many to be forced to close, publishing its last issue on 13 May 2006. [ [http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=33821&sectioncode=1 Birmingham sport paper to close] , Press Gazette, 14 April 2006] Those that remain have seen declining sales or have switched to providing websites. [ [http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/news/2007/05may/070531sport.shtml Papers close Saturday sports editions in online move] , HoldtheFrontPage.co.uk, 31 May 2007]

A number of factors have adversely affected the popularity of Saturday sports papers. Televised sport means that matches (particularly football) frequently do not take place on Saturday afternoons so they cannot be adequately covered by a Saturday evening publication. Another issue is the rise of alternative sources of information. The internet, mobile phones and teletext services also allow sports fans to follow their team's progress without the need for Saturday sports papers.

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