Football Fanzines: How Punk Zine Culture Shaped the Terraces

The football fanzine boom of the 1980s, led by When Saturday Comes (WSC), was a direct descendant of punk zine culture. Launched in 1986, it originated as an offshoot of the music fanzine Snipe, produced from a small press in Upper Clapton, east London, WSC and its many imitators applied the DIY ethos of punk – cheap photocopying, irreverent writing, and distribution through independent shops – to football. These zines gave supporters a platform to challenge the mainstream narrative of football as a hooligan-ridden crisis and to argue for a fan-centric vision of the game.

What was When Saturday Comes and why did it matter?

When Saturday Comes was founded in 1986, conceived by Mike Ticher with Andy Lyons becoming involved during its early development. It started as a photocopied fanzine and grew into a nationally distributed magazine. Its importance lies in its timing: the mid-1980s saw football attendances falling, hooliganism dominating headlines, and clubs increasingly treating fans as a problem. WSC offered a witty, intelligent alternative, covering the game with humour and a critical eye on commercialisation and police tactics. It proved that fans could produce professional-quality writing on their own terms.

How did punk zines influence football fanzines?

Punk zines established a template: cut-and-paste layout, handwritten text, low production values, and a refusal to defer to authority. Football fanzines adopted the same methods. They were produced on photocopiers, sold at grounds and record shops, and traded through the post. The tone was similarly irreverent, often mocking club directors and star players. This DIY approach allowed fans to bypass official club programmes and create a space for alternative voices.

What were the key football fanzines of the 1980s?

• When Saturday Comes (1986–present): The flagship, national in scope, known for its humour and analysis.
• The End (Chelsea): One of the earliest club-specific zines, known for its sharp writing.
• The Square Ball (Leeds United)
• Red All Over The Land (Liverpool)
• United We Stand (Manchester United)
• Fortune’s Always Hiding (West Ham United)

These zines varied in quality and longevity but shared a commitment to independent, fan-led commentary.

How did the fanzine boom change football writing?

The fanzines introduced a new style: informal, funny, and critical. They questioned the wisdom of managers and the motives of club owners. They also tackled issues like racism, policing, and ticket prices. This writing style influenced mainstream football journalism, which began to adopt a more conversational tone. Moreover, fanzines provided a training ground for writers who later moved into the professional media, such as David Conn and Barney Ronay.

What happened to the football fanzine boom?

The boom peaked around 1990. The redevelopment of stadiums, along with the formation of the Premier League in 1992, changed football’s economics and culture. The internet offered new platforms for fan writing, and many fanzines moved online or folded. WSC itself became a monthly magazine, and some club zines continue in print or digital form. The legacy, however, persists in the many independent football blogs and podcasts that owe a debt to the fanzine spirit.

What can today’s DIY writers learn from football fanzines?

The football fanzine movement shows how a niche, DIY publication can challenge mainstream narratives and build community. It demonstrates the power of cheap, accessible media to amplify underrepresented voices. For anyone interested in starting their own zine, the principles remain the same: find a topic you care about, write with honesty and humour, and distribute through independent networks. As punk taught us, you don’t need permission to publish.

For more on DIY publishing, see our guide How to make a punk zine: paste, photocopy, fold, trade. The spirit of the terraces also lives on in Oi! and the terraces: working-class pride and the fight against the far right.

FAQ

What was the first football fanzine?

The boom proper began in the mid-1980s with When Saturday Comes (1986) and dozens of club-specific zines.

How did punk zines influence football fanzines?

Punk zines pioneered cheap photocopied production, irreverent tone, and direct distribution through record shops and gigs. Football fanzines adopted these methods to bypass official club media and speak directly to fans.

Is When Saturday Comes still published?

Yes, When Saturday Comes remains in print as a monthly magazine, though its frequency and format have evolved since its 1986 launch.

What ended the football fanzine boom?

The boom peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s, declining due to the rise of the internet, changing football culture, and the professionalisation of fan media.