Layth Yousif Gooner Fanzine editor 
For many of us, myself included the very notion of renouncing your support for The Arsenal is completely anathema to everything we stand for.
Many of us, myself included spend every single waking minute thinking about our beloved club - and the notion of walking away is as baffling as it is wrong.
However, simply in terms of a premise for an original book, Matt Coughlan's throught-provoking tome is well worth a read - even if I disagree with every single sentiment he writes about in terms of stopping supporting The Arsenal. Because to walk away from my club would be to walk away from my very existence.
But that doesn't mean this book isn't worth reading - it is, even if, like me, you'll find yourself shaking your head at the very notion of abandoning the Arsenal.
Yet, what allows this book to make the Gooner Fanzine's hallowed Christmas list is the fact you can disagree with everything the author writes about in terms of losing your love of The Arsenal, but still enjoy reading the book.
If you love football, you'll enjoy this book. In fact, despite the premise, the Gooner recommends this as a provactive read.
PS And keep an eye out for a competition to win a signed copy.
Layth, Gooner Fanzine editor
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Here's Matt in his own words.
I have very publicly renounced my support for Arsenal. My book, Turncoat: How I Stopped Supporting Arsenal and Found a New Team, is out now.
Before you all head over to Amazon to give it one star reviews, or hunt me down on Twitter, hear me out.
I’ve not jumped ship to Spurs, Chelsea or City, as the ‘If you’re not happy why don’t you go and support…’ mob helpfully advise anyone criticising the club. I’m pleased with how things are going under Arteta and I’m sure if he gave me a pep talk I would be fogging raring to come back.
I gave up my season ticket in 2012. The oligarchs, kick offs being moved all over the place, fourth place trophy, identikit stadiums, mercenary players and Mike Dean all played their part. I found there were other things to do on a matchday, or at least other things were found for me when my kids came along. As they got a bit older I wanted to watch the odd game. You can’t just rock up at the Emirates and pay on the gate, so I started watching local non-league teams and tried to find one to support.
Turncoat is about how I went about finding a new club, through Covid affected seasons and when the prospect of the Super League had many thinking about turning their backs on top level football. I still follow the fortunes of Arsenal from afar, but it’s more like the days of old when I would be willing the score to change on ceefax. To me that’s better than spending a fortune to go to games and moan about the state of things.
Going to non-league is a throwback to the game I grew up with: bad pitches, the odd overweight player, full bloodied challenges. There’s some great clubs out there doing good in their communities, which I’m sure many fans will be familiar with.
If Nick Hornby can be forgiven his dalliance with Cambridge United, then give my book a chance and do give non-league a chance when you’re not watching the Arsenal. I found my way into boardrooms, had conversations with managers, discovered some historic and community owned clubs, and watched a mixed bag of football.
It’s a reminder that underneath the transfer speculation, clickbait punditry and sportswashing there is a game unsurpassed for drama at a fraction of the price of the Premier League.
I just needed a new team to follow, so if you want to find out more about non-league in London and Essex and who I picked, Turncoat is available through Pitch Publishing.
Buy it here:
