Mike Francis
When I started The Gooner in October 1987, I can honestly say that I couldn’t have imagined it would still be going almost a quarter of a century later. For that I am indebted to the thousands of people who have bought, sold and contributed to the magazine and website over the years.
However, like most print publications, sales have been falling over the last few years as people have switched to new technology such as smartphones and tablets, not to mention the copious number of Arsenal blogs on the internet. Therefore in response to this and comments received in our annual readership survey, we made the decision last summer to attempt to launch a digital edition of the fanzine and approached Exact Editions who specialise in making print magazines available via iPads, iPhones and Android phones\tablets, or through a web browser.
Last month, The Gooner App launched on Apple’s Newsstand, which to my knowledge is the first independent club magazine to do so, thereby upholding the Arsenal tradition of being innovators. We’ve been encouraged with the number of downloads thus far and would encourage everyone with an iPad or iPhone to download the app for free and take a look for themselves (Android users can get The Gooner through the Exactly App). Even if you choose not to purchase a subscription, you’ll still be able to preview each issue’s content and read the editor’s Talking Reds column.
I’m conscious that there will be people reading this article who have never seen a copy of The Gooner before and I’d encourage them to take a look at the sample issue from earlier in the season - available to view here – which reflects on the battered and bruised face of Arsenal as we came to terms with our worst start to a season in living memory
Since the very first issue we have aimed to provide a platform where the complete spectrum of Gunners supporters’ views can be expressed. There is no editorial line in terms of what we will publish, running very much an open house policy both in the fanzine and on this website. For this reason, it is the natural home for many of the debates and counter views that go hand in hand with being a Gooner in modern times.
The Gooner publishes regularly throughout the football season, so a 12 month subscription (which is available to purchase through the app or via the Exact Editions website – shorter periods are also available) will typically deliver 10 issues, each of which is packed with 48 full colour pages of contributions from a wide cross section of the Arsenal fan base providing intelligent, passionate and often humorous analysis of the goings-on at Arsenal FC, both on and off the pitch.
In addition, subscribers will also have access to our catalogue of digital back issues which will soon date back to the start of the 2010/11 season as well as the special edition we published in 2009 to commemorate our 200th issue.
Of course, if you’re a traditionalist and prefer to receive The Gooner in print, individual issues and subscriptions remain available by mail order from our online store.
The under-lying principle of The Gooner has always been that it’s for the fans by the fans. In 2012, this latest innovation enables us to reach a wider audience than ever before and we hope it will ensure The Gooner continues to be core reading material for Arsenal supporters for years to come.
