Paul McCartney signed Everton football club programme 1968

An original football match programme for the Merseyside Derby between Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C. on Tuesday the 27th of August 1968 at Goodison Park, signed by Paul McCartney on the inside page in blue ballpoint pen.

This Merseyside Derby was an extraordinarily historic moment for McCartney. Just one day prior, on Monday the 26th of August 1968, The Beatles released "Hey Jude" in the United States (with the UK release following four days later), which went on to become one of their most iconic anthems.

The programme also features an autograph from Sir Matt Busby, the former Manchester United manager, in blue ballpoint pen.

During the stadium's pre-match build-up, the Goodison Park disc jockey took McCartney's advance copy and played "Hey Jude" over the loudspeakers. The 63,938 fans in attendance became one of the very first public audiences in the world to hear the legendary track.

The programme comes with a typed letter from the original owner, which reads: “Regarding the signed Paul McCartney & Matt Busby, Everton vs Liverpool match programme, 27th August 1968. I've always been a collector of Everton matchday programmes. Both my father and I were Everton season ticket holders, and for that season we were located in the Goodison Road main stand. Our seats were adjacent to the Directors' Box, separated only by a wooden partition. At that particular game, Paul McCartney & Matt Busby (Manchester United manager at that time) were sat beside me in the Directors' Box, and my father urged me to get their autographs. I asked Paul & Matt if they would sign my programme, which they obligingly did. Hope this helps."

The programme measures 21.7 x 13.7 cm.

The condition is very good +, with some slight wear to the spine and handwriting to the front cover.