Read All Over the World
I made the cut again!
I made the cut again!
Good news ahoy! Your favourite fanzine writer has only gone and done it again and after responding to the clarion call of a desperate editor in need of articles last month, I made the cut again this month, and it was all rather unexpected. To catch you up on a short set of articles previously published here and by way of context: I’ve been a lifelong fan of, supporter of and now contributor to, independent fanzines. “Red All Over The Land” or more commonly and lovingly known as simply “RAOTL”, remains Liverpool FC’s last and longest running fanzine, and a fanzine I used to collect and treasure as avidly as I did its independent team-mates and competitors, both within the club itself and around the country, and for many, many years. Written by the fans, for the fans, I submitted a couple of articles last month to an enigmatic editor who goes by the moniker “JJP” and much to my surprise, he deemed an article prescient to the time and worthy of publication.
To say I was overjoyed would be to proffer a monumental understatement.
It’s the romantic notion of being a reader for so many years and now Liverpool fans, far and wide, will be a reader of my words on the only true Red faith, and our mutual love for Liverpool Football Club. I picture a Reds fan on the big bird home to New Zealand, Canada or Germany, or a supporters coach, cramped car or cross country train, reading my printed words. Self regarding romantic nonsense I’ll grant you, you are after all reading these very words now on the internet and I sincerely thank you for doing so.
But a printed fanzine is bought, held, collected, tangible, and I’m incredibly proud to have been a brief contributor.
After thanking JJP profusely for including my article I submitted a couple more plus a singular, opus article I hope is suitable for the end of season edition. The clatter of the letterbox on Thursday signalled the arrival of a brand new RAOTL (issue number 291) and the perfect antidote to a freezing, sub zero England in the middle of a short, sharp dump of March snow. Hunkering down with some chocolate biscuits and a constant supply of hot tea, I raced through the latest edition as I re-lived the highs and lows of Real Madrid and Everton and the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club we all adore when, completely unexpected and very, very pleasing, another of my articles had made the cut into the fanzine.
I was even more overjoyed than a month ago as this time JJP hadn’t confirmed my inclusion as he had done previously and so, as I turned toward the final 8 pages of the fanzine, the article linked at the bottom of this paragraph resides perfectly over 4 pages. All completely unexpected and unknown to me prior to receiving that tangible magazine through my letterbox, and yet more of my words that someday soon or long into the future, may be read by a fellow fan of the Reds on the short train journey home to Chester, or by coach to Scotland, or that big bird across the Atlantic, and the other side of the world.
I’m a romantic. Guilty as charged. I therefore hope there’s room in a future issue for my huge, opus article and personal story of my travels following Liverpool Football Club. JJP reasons correctly that it will take up a vast number of pages and will need major editing for inclusion and I fear this may detract from the personality of the human story. We’ll see.
I’m just rather proud to have made the cut again.
Reds seal 13th League Title as Clem is accorded a heroes return
Retro Series Vol 26: Liverpool 3 Tottenham 1, 15th May 1982.medium.com
Thanks for reading. There’s a plethora of articles both ancient and modern within my archival list under “Liverpool FC” and within a cave of other wondrous wonders encompassing film, television, free writing, existentialism and UK travel. Should you be here for the Mighty Reds of Liverpool, can I draw your attention to my three most recently published articles to whet your appetite?
Reds in Seventh Heaven as they cast the Manchester Devils into the night
Liverpool 7 (SEVEN) Manchester United 0, 5th March 2023.medium.com
Reds back to winning ways over a toothless Wolves
Liverpool 2 Wolves 0, 1st March 2023.medium.com
Saturday night thriller it wasn’t as the Reds limp to a point at the Palace
Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 0, 25th February 2023.medium.com