Let's hear it for the 'zines
Exhibition gives fresh voice to the passion and enthusiasm of football's fandom
FANS of the 'beautiful game' are the focus of an exhibition currently running at a library in Leeds, West Yorkshire; if that seems a little parochial for some, it traces the emergence of people-powered publishing that straddles the globe.
This is football fandom culture born and raised at the grassroots, rather than curated and presented through local and national media journalism; amateur enthusiasm, rather than professional polish. Admittedly, that sounds a little contradictory, given exhibitions are by their nature curated bodies of work, but nonetheless it serves to make the voice of fandom heard anew.
Some of the world's oldest football fanzines are on display as part of the Voice of Fans exhibition running until 10 August at Leeds Central Library. The exhibition is co-produced with the British Library, and many of the exhibits are on loan from its collections.
As the exhibition blurb notes: “Football fans have always been more than spectators. They’re a powerful voice in the sport, supporting the teams they love but also holding clubs and wider culture to account.
“From the gritty charm of fanzines to the vibrant energy of podcasts, Voice of the Fans invites you to explore over 60 years of fan-made media, from the collections of the British Library and Leeds Libraries, that has defined the beautiful game.”
Oldest fanzine
A copy of Foul, widely regarded as the original magazine created by football supporters, is among the scores of titles to feature. The fanzine was originally produced by students at Cambridge University in October, 1972, with 34 issues subsequently published between 1972 and 1976.
Researchers scouring through archives, libraries and loans from members of the public have also discovered a copy of The Shamrock, made by fans of Celtic in Scotland, which researchers believe is the oldest fanzine they have traced.
On loan from the National Library of Scotland, it was produced by the Edinburgh-based Shamrock Supporters Club in the early 1960s, and was sold on match days by volunteers along the approaches to Celtic Park.
These early examples are among a huge range of grassroots, self-published 'zines on display tracing the evolution of fan-led media right through to modern, multimedia content.
“The longevity and sheer variety of some of these remarkable publications really demonstrates how much fan culture has been at the heart and soul of football, playing such a huge role in making the game so beloved the world over,” said Antony Ramm, librarian at Leeds Central Library.
“The ways fans express themselves may have changed through the years, but what’s remained the same is that passion and desire which has driven supporters to find a way to make their voices heard.”
Laurence Byrne, lead curator, Latin American and Caribbean collections at the British Library, added: “It’s been a pleasure to be involved with Voice of the Fans … As historical documents fanzines are invaluable, reflecting contemporary politics and changing social values while representing the incredible creativity and ingenuity of fans. I hope that researchers and the public will continue to be inspired by them.”
'Zines of change
As well as 'zines, the exhibition also features other aspects of fan culture. These include badges, banners, scarfs and even recordings of terrace chants from the British Library Sound Archive.
The exhibition also features some of their most important and enduring zines. Editions of The Square Ball, featuring Elland Road idols including Gordon Strachan and Lucas Radebe, and Marching Altogether, founded by Leeds United fans to campaign against racism in football, are among the exhibits on display.
Meanwhile, fans of Bradford City, which secured promotion to League One in May, fans will be able to see copies of The City Gent – said to be the longest running print football 'zine in the country.
“As well as being a fun way of fans communicating, self-published 'zines have also played an important role in holding clubs to account, and driving change in the game too,” Ramm added.
The exhibition will also feature more influential publications from the British Library’s collection including The End, and other Yorkshire 'zines such as Y-Front, Just Another Wednesday, and Smile Awhile.
“We’re thrilled to be showcasing how much football has meant to fans through the years, and to be celebrating the unique place the beautiful game has in the hearts of supporters,” said Councillor Mary Harland, the city council's executive member for communities.
MC