Cigarette cards were produced from the late 19th century until the 2nd World War, while football related trade cards (mostly cards in sweet packets) were uncommon in the inter War period, but picked up where cigarette cards had left off after the Second World War. 
From the mid 70's on cards for sticker books (mostly Panini) were all the rage - unfortunately corresponding to the time Wednesday were crap - but in the late 80's and 90's firms like Proset began producing thicker trade cards (in the style of American collectable cards)

In the index I've listed all the Wednesday cards I know of.

Go to Denbigh Cards for a good history of cigarette cards.