Hello,

The four summers I’ve been editor of the Gooner Fanzine have been full of campaigning to help keep our wonderful publication alive. 

It’s been hard work, full of sleepless nights pondering how we can pay the bills when our numbers aren’t what they should be. 

When I first took over I thought it would be fun - it has been, but it’s also been really demanding, and it takes it toll sometimes. 

After a gruelling end to last season in which everyone associated with the Gooner did their best to get to where we needed to be - but fell short of the numbers we needed - the options I had were to keep campaigning night and day, spreading the Gooner gospel, or to have a few weeks off. 

Well, as a journalist, I ended up working at Euro 2024 for nearly the entire month which I really enjoyed doing, sandwiched with a wonderful birthday weekend and a spot of work and pleasure during Arsenal’s summer tour of the US meant that before we knew it, it’s Monday August 5, and the numbers on our dial still aren’t anywhere they need to be.

So, I take full responsibility for the numbers not being where they need to be. 

But, do you know what? 

I had the best summer and I feel absolutely refreshed. I didn’t even have any sleepless nights about keeping the Gooner going. 

So, I’ve taken the decision to personally fund the difference in our numbers, because as editor, you have to be ‘on it’ 12 months a year. 

And this for this glorious summer, I simply wasn’t - because I really enjoyed myself away from the hard slog that is the Gooner. 

The fact is after four long, hard years I simply didn’t feel like flogging myself over the summer as I had nothing left in the tank - because I’ve spent the last four years working night and day to keep our fanzine going - along with so many other good people. However, it's back to work today at the Gooner Fanzine, fit and firing feeling really refreshed and ready to battle night and day to keep our publication going in the long term. 

So, the hard work starts now. 

Mea culpa over, firstly, I have to say a massive thank you to each and every single person who has let their direct debit roll over and to those who’ve taken out another one year subscription. To confirm, we've frozen all our prices once again to thank you for such heartening loyalty. 

I haven’t said this for a while even if I sound like a stuck record when I do - but if you can take out a subscription then please do.

Whether it be for a pal, a younger family member, a workmate, your neighbour who’s suddenly shown interest in our wonderful club, or as a gift to your dad, mum, uncle, aunt, a birthday present, or simply as a kind gesture to someone you care about - then please do. 

We’ll be looking forensically at our numbers this week, and cut our cloth accordingly, when I get back in the saddle so to speak, but in the meantime, if you can, please help us add to our numbers.  

Want to help the Gooner Fanzine - then please do get in touch

If you can help in any way, and/or if you would like to be associated with our publication in print then please do get in touch via the email at the bottom of this piece.  

New Gooner out for Arsenal vs Brighton

To add to that, our sales for the final issue of last season which was published for on the last day the season, are also nowhere near where they need to be, so we’ll be attempting to shift a few extra copies at the Emirates this week, and for the Wolves home game - meaning our first issue of the Gooner Fanzine for the new 2024-25 football season will be out on Saturday, August 31, for Arsenal vs Brighton. 

In the meantime, we’ll see you at Hendon vs Arsenal U18s on Tuesday evening, outside Arsenal Tube on Wednesday for Bayer Leverkusen, and then on Sunday again for the Emirates Cup for Arsenal vs Lyon. All the bestCome on you GunnersLayth and the Gooner team 

PS: 

More on the future of our Arsenal Women’s digital fanzine tomorrow. 

PPS:

To the handful of people who have had postal issues with our current edition, can we please ask you to contact our inquiries email address [email protected] - which we intend to be the only email address we will use this season. 

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