Category: football writing

football writing, popular STAND fanzine

Editorial: On being tired of football

by glen wilson49 Comments on Editorial: On being tired of football
Editorial: On being tired of football

I’ve found it hard to write this editorial, and I think it’s ultimately because I’m so tired.

I’m physically tired because, as I write this sentence, it’s 1:40am Wednesday morning and this isn’t even the last thing I have to do for the fanzine before sending it to the printers, only after which can I go to bed. Ready to get up for work at 7am.

But I think I’m also tired of football. Maybe, and hopefully, not the actual game, but I’m tired of so many aspects of it. Continue reading “Editorial: On being tired of football” →

football writing

On Deadline Day, Banter and all-out Greed

by glen wilson5 Comments on On Deadline Day, Banter and all-out Greed
On Deadline Day, Banter and all-out Greed

Last summer, as I sat down to attempt to write an article for this fanzine, a retweet appeared in my twitter timeline. It had a picture on it, a picture of a grin in a suit, pointing at a massive yellow screen, smugness and glee smeared over his face like birthday cake on a toddler, as he gestured at a number. Continue reading “On Deadline Day, Banter and all-out Greed” →

fan issues, football writing, popular STAND fanzine

Editorial: On Contemplating Life Without Football

by glen wilson1 Comment on Editorial: On Contemplating Life Without Football
Editorial: On Contemplating Life Without Football

I am unable to recall when or why I fell in love with football. There was no epiphany. No great moment of clarity. Football, as far as I can remember, was simply always there; eternally bobbling about alongside grazed knees and Why Don’t You? in the goalmouth scramble of my childhood. Continue reading “Editorial: On Contemplating Life Without Football” →

football writing

On Football as the next Great American Drama Series

by glen wilson1 Comment on On Football as the next Great American Drama Series
On Football as the next Great American Drama Series

Last month I went to India. And yes, I had a lovely time thank you very much for asking, but I’ll save going all Judith Chalmers on you for another time, and get to my point. Whilst in India I met my girlfriend’s cousin, Nikhil, for the first time. He’s an intelligent fella, a writer who speaks multiple languages and he’s into football; he supports Chelsea – evidence if ever it were needed that who we choose to support is rarely a rational choice. Nikhil has lived near to, or in, Bangalore all is life. Bangalore are the current Indian football champions. I asked him why he didn’t support them. His answer is that he likes football, and so he wants to watch the best football in the world, and as the Premier League is screened regularly in India, it is this which he, and the other football fans he knows, watch. Continue reading “On Football as the next Great American Drama Series” →

football writing

On Boxing Day Football

by glen wilsonLeave a Comment on On Boxing Day Football
On Boxing Day Football

I’m not entirely sure what the history of Boxing Day is, or indeed how it got its name. I’d look it up, but I’ve foolishly chosen to write this in the one café in London that manages to boast floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, yet receives no phone signal and offers no wifi. What is this 2012? Anyway, let us presume it is due to a tradition relating to boxed gifts of some kind, and not a long and sustained marketing campaign by Don King or the WBA. Continue reading “On Boxing Day Football” →

football writing

A Thing About Rugby

by popular STAND fanzineLeave a Comment on A Thing About Rugby
A Thing About Rugby

Time for the second part of our look back at the best of popular STAND from 2013-14. Back at the start of the season Rovers took over the running of Doncaster Rugby League Club, or ‘The Dons’ as they’re known in these parts. In issue 69 of the fanzine Kerrang! magazine editor James McMahon put fingers to keyboard for the fanzine to write this touching piece on football, rugby league and family bonds. Continue reading “A Thing About Rugby” →

fan issues, football writing

Armchair Supporters R Us

by Alan PatchingLeave a Comment on Armchair Supporters R Us
Armchair Supporters R Us

Alas, the World Cup is over. Sadly. Wearily. We awake from the bright lights and beauty of a glorious holiday, and stare out of the plane window at the grey runway tarmac of reality that is supporting our local club. All James and no ‘Hamez’. Mundane. Dull. You need a pick-up. To help ease you into your everyday lives we have decided to pick out five of the best received pieces from last season’s fanzine, and share then with you here, to fill the void of the lost 9pm kick-offs. You’re welcome.

We start with this piece from issue 65 of popular STAND, as Jack the Miner envisages the not too inconceivable notion of a man shopping for a football team to support. Continue reading “Armchair Supporters R Us” →

football writing

Just a Pub Team

by Jack PeatLeave a Comment on Just a Pub Team
Just a Pub Team

Jack Peat joins the fanzine team to look at social stratification and Doncastrian football fans.

Karl Marx has no place in football. He tried once, replacing Ludwig Wittgenstein in Monty Python’s Philosophers’ Football Match, but did nothing to advance the game. As he retired to the dressing room he decided to write about football stratification in Doncaster instead, and he only went and nailed it. Continue reading “Just a Pub Team” →

football writing

Jack the Miner’s Coalface: Selective Memory

by Alan PatchingLeave a Comment on Jack the Miner’s Coalface: Selective Memory
Jack the Miner’s Coalface: Selective Memory

History is written by the victors and re-written in internet forums

Future issues of popular STAND fanzine will be awash with James Coppinger tributes as he approaches his appearance record. And rightly so. He’s been a mainstay of the re-born DRFC and at the very heart of the champagne moments we’ve witnessed in a glorious period for the club.

Of course, he’s not alone. One other player has put in a shift and has played shoulder to shoulder with Copps in all of those key games. He has helped create history. Continue reading “Jack the Miner’s Coalface: Selective Memory” →