The Future of the Gooner Fanzine: A Statement

The Future of the Gooner Fanzine: A Statementhttps://t.co/WGtsvgqr8z

— The Gooner (@GoonerFanzine) July 30, 2023

After extensive deliberation over this summer we have made a decision on the future of the Gooner Fanzine.

It was with great regret that we failed to reach to the bare minimum number of subscribers needed to ensure that we break even.

After an extensive campaign at the end of last season we only got to 75 per cent of the total required to cover our operating costs. Meaning we are still 250 short of the 1,000-subscriber objective.

Despite all the hard work from so many good people associated with the Gooner it was bitterly disappointing not to find the missing 250 subscribers from the millions, if not tens of millions of Arsenal supporters around the globe.

This led us to deeply question the point of the printed version of the Gooner Fanzine in a digital age.

The Future of the Gooner Fanzine

The Gooner has been published for 35 years and during that time has seen huge changes in our beloved club and in the game itself. 

To fail to reach our required total of 1,000 subscribers hurt us deeply, because everyone associated with the Gooner knows that we are a community of like-minded souls who care deeply about our club.

Not in an angry, ‘look at me’ way, nor in hysterical, inarticulate outbursts that hugely embarrass and demean the quiet majority of supporters, or in a way that makes money off the back of our club.

No, the reason we exist and have existed for so long is that because we provide a platform for intelligent, informed, and irreverent debate and discussion, for knowledgeable and passionate writers and readers to contribute and savour reasoned, insightful, original writing full of fervour and ardour, dedication and devotion, warmth and zeal, affection and humour. 

Proud of our loyal readership and contributors 

There is a reason why none of our writers made it onto the outside hallowed walls of the Emirates adorned with loyal supporters – and that is because we are still seen as anti-establishment. And we take that as a badge of honour. Because if a topic is in the Gooner Fanzine it is worth reading, no matter who we are writing about. There are certainly no sacred cows, and for that we’re proud.

We’re also intensely proud of our loyal readership, who have kept us going through the lean times over the last few years. Quite simply, our most enjoyable tasks are when we sell to you before Arsenal matches. This is because we encounter a wonderfully heartwarming community.

The fact that so many good people take the trouble to say hello, to have a chat, to buy a copy - not to mention giving us a hug in our darkest hour - are just a few of the reasons that I refuse to let the Gooner Fanzine die.

The Gooner Fanzine will continue

So, it is with pride that - and I can feel my throat catching here – the Gooner Fanzine will continue into 2023-24 and hopefully long beyond that.

I will continue to fund any shortfalls out of my own pocket – and if we can harness the goodwill of other loyal backers and sponsors then that would be great too.

I cannot stress enough, the Gooner Fanzine is a labour of love (let’s face it no-one does it for the money, because there isn’t any) that continues to exist because of the goodwill of so many people who give up their time freely to contribute.

Such love like that means the Gooner Fanzine is too special to let die.

Therefore, as editor I am proud to say I will not let the Gooner Fanzine die.

I’m not going to let the numbers – or lack of – keep me awake at night worrying anymore. I'm sick to death of dealing with the fallout of the cost of living crisis on the increased prices charged by the publishing industry. It is what it is. And we’ll just have to deal with it.

So: We’ll be publishing our first issue (301) of the new season (68 pages in full colour) on September 3, for Arsenal vs Manchester United at the Emirates.

In the meantime, please do consider taking out a subscription for 2023-24 or getting one for a friend or relative. Every single subscription helps.

Thank you for your support.

See you in N5 on Wednesday as we still have plenty of copies of issue 300 to flog.

Come on you Gunners 

Layth, Gooner Fanzine editor

Buy a UK 2023-24 subscription to the Gooner Fanzine here

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