Nostalgia of Soccer (Football) Magazines Project-Part 16

In my continuing collaborative series with @1888Letter, I will ask the experiences of Spanish José Luis Carbonell Pascual , Joselecar4@hotmail.com

Name: José Luis Carbonell Pascual

Email: Joselecar4@hotmail.com

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: What was the first Soccer (Football) magazine that you read as a new young fan of the game?

Response:  My first magazine was Onze, I was on a trip at the end of the year on the island of Mallorca and I saw a magazine that impressed me. I still have it.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Were there other local magazines that you also read?

 Response:  Of course, I bought the AS Color and Don Balon weekly, apart from newspapers when the National Team played. (AS and Brand).

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Describe the general format of these particular magazines? What was your favorite section(s) of these said magazines?

Response:  International football at the national team level. Then I was also very interested in the European Cup.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Was the coverage of Football mainly local  or was International Football news covered as well in a meaningful way?

Response:  Local football did not interest me. I was interested in competitions such as the World Cups (the one in 1974 is my favorite) and the European Championship.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: In general on a typical newsstand, how many choices were available for reading Football?

Response:  Many. Soccer was everything in my youth. With many specialized magazines. Much more than now that in Spain there is no longer a weekly or monthly publication with which to follow football. There are specific magazines before any football event and that's it.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Do you remember foreign Football publications at your newsstands as well? If so did you read any?

Response:  In my time, I would have always liked to see a France Football, a World Soccer or a Tempo (Yugoslavia). Now in the digital era, I can enjoy them in digital format.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: I will ask this from everyone, one of my best memories as a young football fan was the anticipation of the day when new issues were available on newsstands. It was a weekly ritual that would stay with me for decades. In your own words, can you explain your memories of these days?

Response:  Of course. On Wednesday after leaving school and before going home, I would go to the Kiosk to buy the newspaper AS and Marca. The next day, after the game, I returned to the Kiosk again.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Did you enjoy your magazines for the scores/league tables, etc or did you prefer the writing? Or was there an evolution as when you aged you started to appreciate the deep written analysis more?

Response:  I was interested in line-ups and photos in case there were any of the Spanish team and its rival. Nowadays I still look forward to the same thing.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: How has the quality of your favorite magazines changed (for better or worse over the years)?

Response:  They have changed for the worse, for the worse. Now there is much more computer and digital deployment, but I do not change it for the old system. I remember those “TELEFOTO” of the agencies, which the newspapers put in their pages to give the news as a first.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Looking back what was the best era for your favorite magazines?

Response:  From twelve to sixteen. My mother, as I did not study, broke all the photos and magazines that I kept. I put them in a bag, went to the field, made a fire and burned them.

Then throughout my life I was able to recover most of these magazines, buying them again. My mother did it for my good, I have no grudges. Rest in peace.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: the daily newspapers, ‘AS’, and ‘Marca’, etc play a big part in the coverage of the game. Can you compare these daily papers compared to a magazine like ‘Don Balon’?

Response:  No. Newspapers are notaries today. The magazine "Don Balloon", for example, is more compilation and analysis of events. Apart from the quality of the photographs.

 Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Has your taste in magazines changed over the years or do you still read your favorite magazines?

Response:  keep reading them and keep them as a treasure. I don't like the news. There are many data errors and the writing of journalists is appalling. I miss the figure of the editor of the newspaper or the magazine that was in charge that everything was correct.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Looking back, do you feel these magazines kept you sufficiently informed about the events of the game as a whole?

Response:  No. I would have liked to know more details about the international matches of Selections. When «El Mundo Deportivo» arrived in my city, it covered part of my demands.

An example. In the 1976 European Championship in the previous Group stage, I was years to know the result of Austria-Wales. I didn't come in any newspaper or magazine.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Did your interest in reading magazines wane with the advent of Internet and 24 Hour Sports Television channels or are you as interested as ever in reading?

Response:  Now I buy much less magazines. The internet monopolizes everything.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Are there publications that have since been defunct that you miss?

Response:  Many: Don Balloon, Onze, Mondial (both separately), Deporte 2000 and some more that I don't remember now.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Getting back to my earlier question about anticipating the release of magazines. Given that now many receive their magazines on PDF, do you feel that a level of excitement has been lost as a result?

Response:  Of course. I download a PDF and I don't read it. I used to buy ONZE or Don Balloon and read me to the ads.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Once again thank you for taking the time in participating in this project.

Response:  It has been a pleasure,

*********Note: This interview was conducted via ‘google translate’ in Spanish. The content below shows Mr. Carbonell’s responses in Spanish.******

1. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: ¿Cuál fue la primera revista de Soccer (Football) que leíste como un joven fanático del juego?

Mi primera revista fue el Onze, estaba de viaje fin de curso en la isla de Mallorca y vi una revista que me impresionó. Aun la conservo.

2. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888Carta Pregunta: ¿Hubo otras revistas locales que también leyó?

Por supuesto, compraba semanalmente el AS Color y el don Balon, aparte de periódicos cuando jugaba la Selección (AS y Marca).

3. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: ¿Describa el formato general de estas revistas en particular? ¿Cuál fue su (s) sección (es) favorita (s) de estas revistas?

El futbol internacional a nivel de Selecciones. Luego también me interesaba mucho la Copa de Europa.

4. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: ¿La cobertura del fútbol fue principalmente local o las noticias del fútbol internacional también se cubrieron de manera significativa?

El futbol local no me interesaba. Me interesaban las competiciones como los Mundiales de Futbol (el de 1974 es mi favorito) y la Eurocopa.

5. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: En general, en un puesto de periódicos típico, ¿cuántas opciones estaban disponibles para leer fútbol?

Muchas. El futbol lo era todo en mi juventud. Con muchas revistas especializadas. Mucho mas que ahora que en España ya no hay una publicación ni semanal ni mensual con la cual poder seguir el futbol. Hay revistas puntuales antes de cualquier evento futbolístico y ya está.

6. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888Carta Pregunta: ¿Recuerdas también publicaciones de fútbol extranjeras en tus quioscos? Si es así, ¿has leído alguno?

En mi época, siempre me hubiera gustado poder ver un France Football, un World Soccer o un Tempo (Yugoslavia). Ahora en la época digital, puedo disfrutar de ellas en formato digital.

Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de carta: Le preguntaré esto a todos, uno de mis mejores recuerdos como joven fanático del fútbol fue la anticipación del día en que había nuevos números disponibles en los quioscos. Era un ritual semanal que se quedaría conmigo durante décadas. En tus propias palabras, ¿puedes explicar tus recuerdos de estos días?

Por supuesto. El Miercoles al salir del colegio y antes de ir a casa pasaba por el Kiosco a comprar el diario As y el Marca. Al dia siguiente, después del partido, volvia otra vez al Kiosco.

Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: ¿Disfrutaste de tus revistas para los puntajes / tablas de clasificación, etc., o prefieres escribir? ¿O hubo una evolución cuando cuando envejeciste comenzaste a apreciar más el análisis escrito profundo?

Me interesaban las alieneaciones (line up) y las fotos por si había alguna del equipo español y de su rival. En la actualidad me sigue ilusionando lo mismo.

Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: ¿Cómo ha cambiado la calidad de sus revistas favoritas (para bien o para mal con los años)?

Han cambiado para mal, para peor. Ahora hay mucho más despliegue informático y digital, pero no lo cambio por el sistema antiguo. Me acuerdo de esas “TELEFOTO” de las agencias, que los periódicos ponían en sus páginas para dar la noticia como primicia.

Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: ¿Cuál fue la mejor época para sus revistas favoritas?

De los doce a los dieciséis años. Mi madre, como no estudiaba me rompió todas las fotos y revistas que guardaba. Las meti en una bolsa, me fui al campo, hice una hoguera y las quemé.

Luego a lo largo de mi vida pude recuperar la mayoría de estas revistas, volviéndolas a comprar. Mi madre lo hizo por mi bien, no le guardo ningún rencor. Descanse en paz.

Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: los diarios, "AS" y "Marca", etc. juegan un papel importante en la cobertura del juego. ¿Puedes comparar estos diarios con una revista como "Don Balon"?

No. Los diarios son notarios de la actualidad. La revista «Don Balón», por ejemplo, es más recopilación y análisis de los acontecimientos. Aparte de la calidad de las fotografías.

Soccernostalgia / @ 1888Carta Pregunta: ¿Ha cambiado su gusto por las revistas a lo largo de los años o todavía lee sus revistas favoritas?

Las sigo leyendo y las guardo como un tesoro. Las nuevas no me gustan nada. Hay muchos errores de datos y la redacción de los periodistas es pésima. Echo de menos la figura del Redactor del periódico o la revista que se encargaba que estuviera todo correcto.

13. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: Mirando hacia atrás, ¿crees que estas revistas te mantuvieron suficientemente informado sobre los eventos del juego en general?

No. A mí me hubiera gustado conocer más detalles sobre los partidos internacionales de Selecciones. Cuando llego «El Mundo Deportivo» a mi ciudad, cubria parte de mis exigencias.

Un ejemplo. En la Eurocopa de 1976 en la fase previa de Grupos, estuve años ara conocer el resultado de Austria-Gales. No venia en ningún periódico ni revista.

14. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888Carta Pregunta: ¿Su interés en la lectura de revistas disminuyó con la llegada de Internet y los canales de televisión deportiva las 24 horas o está tan interesado como siempre en la lectura?

Ahora compro muchas menos revistas. El internet lo acapara todo.

15. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: ¿Hay publicaciones que desde entonces han desaparecido y que te pierdes?

Muchas: Don Balón, Onze, Mondial (ambas por separado), Deporte 2000 y alguna mas que ahora no me acuerdo.

16. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de carta: Volviendo a mi pregunta anterior sobre la anticipación del lanzamiento de revistas. Dado que ahora muchos reciben sus revistas en PDF, ¿siente que se ha perdido un nivel de emoción como resultado?

Por supuesto. Yo me descargo un PDF y no lo leo. Antes compraba el ONZE o el Don Balón y me leía hasta los anuncios.

17. Soccernostalgia / @ 1888 Pregunta de la carta: Una vez más, gracias por tomarse el tiempo para participar en este proyecto.

Ha sido un placer, pido disculpas por el retraso.

José Luis Carbonell Pascual

Joselecar4@hotmail.com

Soccer Memories-Part 38 : England’s unique Nostalgia with Italia ‘90

(Note: I would like to once again thank http://www.zani.co.uk/ for uploading this article https://www.zani.co.uk/zani-sport/item/3030-england-s-unique-nostalgia-with-italia-90?fbclid=IwAR120x7x2D6g5Bbc4pCSxJ4afXJnHPbMITqnfci9Q8gFpu3g0NldyU4fTQY)

As a fan of the game I have always found it intriguing how different Nations view the same Tournament or event through a different lens.

A prime example is the romanticism the English hold with the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

This view has been exemplified in much of the English-based Football Literature of this World Cup, as well as the many England Football (Soccer) podcasts since.

These views are in clear contrast to much of the (non-English) critics, observers and fans alike who, at the time, largely regarded this World Cup in negative terms.

The common reasons voiced by the critics’ included:  the general defensive nature of the matches including some dreadful matches (Uruguay v. South Korea, Republic of Ireland v. Egypt, Argentina v. Yugoslavia, to name a few), the number of penalty kick shoot-outs (including both semifinals), the hard physical displays by some teams (Bilardo’s Argentina) and all topped off with a Final match that was resolved (appropriately by its critics) with a penalty kick.

It is fair to counter that the Public and Press of Nations such as Brazil, Soviet Union and Holland would view this World Cup in negative terms due to their own disappointing performances, while the Italian hosts will always remember the heartbreak of losing in a semifinal on home soil (not to mention France who did not even qualify). As for Argentina, they often point (rightly or wrongly) to the injustice suffered at the hands of an alleged biased Referee in the Final.

However, none of the above are the first things that come to mind for the average English fan.

The English remember it as the summer of ‘Gazza’ (Paul Gascoigne). They remember it as the introduction of David Platt and Des Walker on the global stage. They remember the heroic displays as the English had to fight through one overtime over another in the knock-out stages. They remember Platt’s overhead kick in the last minute vs. Belgium. They remember Gary Lineker’s resurgence as England’s goalscorer when it mattered. They see it as an honorable conclusion for the much-maligned England Manager and Gentleman of the Game Bobby Robson, as well as a fitting end for older heroes such as Shilton, Butcher and Bryan Robson.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 41, June 1992

(England squad 1990 World Cup)

The stark contrasts listed require further analysis as to why the English have an indelible memory of this Tournament.

The first player that comes to mind who symbolized this team’s journey is Gascoigne. He was already tabloid fodder in England, but largely unknown to the rest of the World. Tottenham Hotspur’s Gascoigne would bring much needed energy and youthful exuberance to the side. His humor and upbeat personality seemed to infect the squad as well as the public. Unbelievable to think, that his mere presence at the World Cup was not a guarantee until late on. He had famously earned his ticket for the World Cup after his virtuoso performance in the friendly vs. Czechoslovakia (4-2 win on April 25^th) after he had a hand in three of the goals and scored the fourth himself.

There are moments that encapsulate the event for the English and Paul Gascoigne’s tears was the most memorable one. Upon being booked in the semifinal match vs. West Germany, he knew instantly that he would be suspended should England reach the Final. His tears brought out the human element in the game that still lives in any England’s fan’s memories.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 24, January 1991

(Paul Gascoigne)

Along with Gascoigne another young player would make the most of his opportunity. Aston Villa’s David Platt would step in with great effect after an injury to Captain Bryan Robson early in the Tournament.

In addition to Gascoigne’s tears, Platt’s overhead kick goal vs. Belgium was another unforgettable moment that is referenced to this day.

Nottingham Forest defender Des Walker was also another relative unknown to the World stage, who also made everyone notice with his displays in defense.

After the World Cup, all three would be on top of the wanted list of most top clubs (especially in Italy).

The English fans of today also look back with pride in the fight-back element in England’s performances. Their matches in the knockout rounds all went into overtime and England had to grind their way to victories. Platt’s aforementioned goal vs. Belgium was followed by a memorable come from behind win over underdogs Cameroon. Some pundits listed that encounter as the match of the Tournament. In another memorable moment in that match, England defender Mark Wright played the match with his head bandaged up reminiscent of Terry Butcher’s performance vs. Sweden in a World Cup qualifier just in the previous September.

In the semifinals, objectively the West Germans were a better side but once more England gave a fair account of themselves and clawed their way back to force a tie with a wonderful strike from Gary Lineker.

The drama of the loss in a penalty kick shoot-out (in addition to Gazza’s tears) only made the English fan to back this team even more.

It must be remembered that this had been England’s best performance in a World Cup since the victory in 1966.

Another reason that this World Cup is set apart in the English memories is that this performance by an English side appeared to signal a sense of renewal for the fortunes of the National Team on the World stage as well as English Football in general after previous disappointments.

To put in context the state of England’s Football prior to this World Cup, we must go back to the 80s and the negativity surrounding the game on and off the pitch.

The tragedies of Heysel and Bradford and finally Hillsborough (just a year before the World Cup) had seriously tarnished the image of the English game.

The English clubs were still banned from European Competitions and the only connection with foreign football, were the handful of players who were plying their trade in foreign leagues (as well as those who had resorted to join Rangers Glasgow just to be able to face European competition).

The matters on the field were no better. The 1988 Euros had been a complete fiasco with England losing all its matches.

This English side’s displays and the support shown on the terraces brought much goodwill and made much headway to dispel the image of the English Hooligan.

The sense of optimism was furthered as the European ban on English clubs was to end in that Fall (except for Liverpool) and they could now compete in the European club competitions.

Coincidentally, this World Cup took place just two years before the launch of the English Premier League. The proximity of these events also gives a sense of rebirth and Nostalgia to the fans.

While many in the World lamented at the lack of quality and entertainment, those in the British Isles saw a new star(s) being born, old heroes ending their run on a high and an honorable defeat against a worthy opponent.

They could hold their head high and dream of future glories.

Most fans’ favorite World Cup usually tends to be the first one they followed. This World Cup captured the hearts of many English fans that were adolescent and/or in their early teens at the time. These same fans are now in their 30s and 40s and can only look back with Nostalgia to this World Cup.

Some have even joined the ranks of Journalism and punditry class and their memories are reflected in print and in today’s podcasts.

Many in the press were predicting a “Brave New Dawn” for the National Team after this World Cup. Gascoigne and Platt were to be leading the charge towards this bright future. Graham Taylor was appointed to lead this mission, but that is another story……

Nostalgia of Soccer (Football) Magazines Project-Part 15

In my continuing collaborative series with @1888Letter, I will ask the experiences of Mr. Graham Denton @gtdenton, Author of The Odd Man Out: The Fascinating Story of Ron Saunders' Reign at Aston Villa (2017), Me and My Big Mouth: When Cloughie Sounded Off in TVTimes (2019)

Name: Graham Denton

Twitter: @gtdenton

Personal Description:  Author of The Odd Man Out: The Fascinating Story of Ron Saunders' Reign at Aston Villa (2017), Me and My Big Mouth: When Cloughie Sounded Off in TVTimes (2019)

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: At what age did you become a Football fan and how long after did you start reading Football Magazines?

Response:  I was 7 when I saw my first game (live on TV). The hook was firmly in from then on. I think it was the following season that I began reading about the game in magazines.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: What was the first Soccer (Football) magazine that you read as a new young fan of the game?

Response:  SHOOT! In the days when it still had an exclamation mark in its title.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Were there other local magazines that you also read?

Response:  I was aware of GOAL, because a cousin (slightly older than me) had some posters from that magazine on his bedroom wall, but no others. Football League Review (The Official Journal of the Football League) was a very thin magazine inserted between the pages of match day programmes but, although I did start going to games (with my father, from around the age of 8) and having a programme bought for me, I don’t recall reading the Review.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Describe the general format of these particular magazines? What was your favorite section(s) of these said magazines?

Response:  SHOOT! was a mix of short and long features about certain teams/individual players, interviews, cartoons, snippets of news, match facts, stats, previews, etc. ‘Focus on’ was a staple. Plus there were both colour and black-and-white photos throughout. Early on I enjoyed the action photos the most, and often snipped them out for a scrapbook. I would only ever skim-read, but as I got older I started focussing more thoroughly on the written pieces.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Was the coverage of Football mainly local  British or was International Football news covered as well in a meaningful way?

Response:  In SHOOT! they did have the occasional round-up of news from clubs abroad – a devoted page, perhaps - but to be honest, I wasn’t that interested in it. Foreign football really was a mystery back then (early / mid-70s). As a young fan you had very limited knowledge about the make-up of club sides from other countries or international sides outside of the British Isles. When you watched, say, the World Cup, you really went into it with your eyes shut. Personally, that ignorance only made the game more blissful for me.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: In general on a typical newsstand, how many choices were available for reading Football?

Response:  In my experience, it was limited to SHOOT! and GOAL. The latter had been launched on the 16th August 1968 (my later father’s 32^nd birthday, coincidentally), and SHOOT! followed a year later. SHOOT! was far more children-friendly in its approach, whereas GOAL was written by actual journalists and took a more in-depth and ‘adult’ look at the game. Charles Buchan's Football Monthly Digest existed but I wasn’t aware of it. In 1974 that closed and became known simply as "Football" magazine. In the summer of ‘74 Goal also was officially incorporated into SHOOT!  So the reading options became even less. Towards the end of the decade there was Football Handbook (a monthly rather than weekly publication), which I used to get a copy of, but SHOOT! was always my go-to magazine. I have to add, though, that I also read comics like Tiger and Scorcher, and then Roy of the Rovers, both of which covered not just football but a variety of sports.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Do you remember foreign Football publications at your newsstands as well? If so did you read any?

Response:  If there were any, I never saw them.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: I will ask this from everyone, one of my best memories as a young football fan was the anticipation of the day when new issues were available on newsstands. It was a weekly ritual that would stay with me for decades. In your own words, can you explain your memories of these days?

Response: I used to get SHOOT! delivered from the local newsagents. I am reliably informed by Greg Lansdowne @Panini_book that when it first launched SHOOT! came out on Monday. By December 1969 it was then switched to Friday. At some point it then moved to a Thursday delivery, which is my memory of it. As a young child, when you had very few possessions or spending power, knowing that once a week you were guaranteed this glossy-covered paper gift was wonderfully thrilling and comforting, too. The moment of expectation, waiting for the evening paper (in my case, a large Hull Daily Mail) to be poked through the letterbox bulked out by your magazine, or to land on the porch mat with a hefty thud was a sensation I’ll never forget.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Did you enjoy your magazines for the scores/league tables, etc or did you prefer the writing? Or was there an evolution as when you aged you started to appreciate the deep written analysis more?

Response:  As I said before, there was a gradual evolution. But, even then, I would usually check out the images first. That said, I do recall when Andy Gray (of the team I supported, Aston Villa) became a regular columnist in SHOOT! I was always extremely keen to read what he had to say, so would be drawn straightaway to that. 

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: How has the quality of your favorite magazines changed (for better or worse over the years)?

Response:  Not a question I can answer. I stopped buying football magazines in my late teens. A long time ago now!

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Looking back what was the best era for your favorite magazines?

Response:  I’m bound to say the 1970s/early 80s – more specifically, 1972-82, when my passion for the game was at its height.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: The daily newspapers play a big part in the coverage of the game. Can you compare these daily papers to the weekly/monthly magazines?

Response:  My dad used to get the Daily Express every morning. As far as its football coverage was concerned, it was chiefly transfer news/gossip and match reports from the day/night before. That obviously contrasted fairly sharply with the weekly magazines.

 Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Has your taste in magazines changed over the years or do you still read your favorite magazines?

Response:  See my previous answers.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Looking back, do you feel these magazines kept you sufficiently informed about the events of the game as a whole?

Response:  Yes, I do. I’m sure there were times when I did feel frustrations about being kept in the dark, but generally I was content. My enjoyment of the game wouldn’t have been increased by ‘knowing’ more about it through the written word. I was always more of a watcher and listener, anyway.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Did your interest in reading magazines wane with the advent of Internet and 24 Hour Sports Television channels or are you as interested as ever in reading?

Response:  I stopped reading magazines long before then. For many years after my magazine-buying days ended, I would still read about the game in a Saturday and sometimes Sunday paper, but even that gradually decreased and then stopped altogether. I will now occasionally go to an online piece that’s somehow come to my attention, but only if it’s about the game from the distant past.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Are there publications that have since been defunct that you miss?

Response:  No. I do slightly regret, however, no longer having the 100s of copies of SHOOT! that I once owned and kept in a wooden box beneath my bed. I either gave them away to a younger cousin, or they were donated to a local children’s home. I’d probably devour them with even more zeal these days if I still had them!

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Getting back to my earlier question about anticipating the release of magazines. Given that now many receive their magazines on PDF, do you feel that a level of excitement has been lost as a result?

Response:  Having an actual magazine in paper form was a very sensual experience. It wasn’t just a feast for the eyes, but something tangible you could feel between your fingers. The newness of the pages had a certain smell. Even a sound as your turned over those pages. That experience can never be replicated by scrolling up and down on a screen.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Once again thank you for taking the time in participating in this project.

Nostalgia of Soccer (Football) Magazines Project-Part 14

In my continuing collaborative series with @1888Letter, I will ask the experiences of Mr. David Stuart of Scotland. The facebook and twitter page of Mr. Stuart (Scotland Epistles Football Magazine) is a tribute to Scottish Football.

Name: Scotland Epistles Football Magazine

Twitter: @davstu11

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scotlandepistles/

Website: https://scotlandepistles.com/

Personal Description:  former fanzine writer and co-founder of the Scotland Epistles football magazine. Co-author of two books on the Scotland national side along with Robert Marshall.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: At what age did you become a Football fan and how long after did you start reading Football Magazines?

Response:  I've always been a football since an early age and although my main interest in the early 70's from about the age of six / seven was football cards I would also read or perhaps more in the early years look at football magazines

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: What was the first Soccer (Football) magazine that you read as a new young fan of the game?

Response:  The first one I really remember is Shoot! in particular the early one with George Best on the front. I wouldn't always buy it as it all depended what my local shop would sell and if I had any pocket money. Around the same time though I would also read the Tiger comic which was more Sports orientated.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Were there other local magazines that you also read?

Response:  Locally in Scotland there was the Football Scot magazine in the early 70's and I would try to get a hold of that too as it would often have Partick Thistle players in posters, a much treasured Item.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Describe the general format of these particular magazines? What was your favorite section(s) of these said magazines?

Response:  I imagine the Shoot! has been discussed by other interviewees. One big difference is that Football Scot started out newspaper size making it a bit unwieldy and hard to store in many ways ‘Football Scot’ had a similar format with articles on players, teams etc. interspersed with posters. However, it was quite unique in also have weekly articles on the then Scottish Second Division, Junior (Non-League football), Schools football with a school team photo published too weekly too. It and the magazines that it more or less merged into Scottish Football Monthly and then Scottish Football Weekly also had articles on Women's football too.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Was the coverage of Football mainly local  British or was International Football news covered as well in a meaningful way?

Response:  As stated above it's coverage was on Scottish football but would also have articles on players playing in England but most of the pin ups were from Scottish clubs.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: In general on a typical newsstand, how many choices were available for reading Football?

Response:  I came from Milton in Glasgow and rarely in my younger days would visit the city centre so really you were at the mercy of the lcoal newsagents and choice was not readily available. To be honest though if it was football card season I would have bought them before magazines.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Do you remember foreign Football publications at your newsstands as well? If so did you read any?

Response:  Foreign magazines were not available at this time in Sunny Milton.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: I will ask this from everyone, one of my best memories as a young football fan was the anticipation of the day when new issues were available on newsstands. It was a weekly ritual that would stay with me for decades. In your own words, can you explain your memories of these days?

Response: I did not have a lot of money available to myself so I could go weeks without buying a magazine but then the likes of the League Ladders might be issued and catch the eye so would then be bought. Sometimes it was the front cover that caught the eye with a Thistle player on the front or a poster inside. One of my early memories is of the Shoot! printing a Thistle team photo in the late 60's or early 70's in the middle pages, unfortunately it was shared with an Ipswich team too.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Did you enjoy your magazines for the scores/league tables, etc or did you prefer the writing? Or was there an evolution as when you aged you started to appreciate the deep written analysis more?

Response:  As a youngster it would be the photos but as I grew older some of the articles. Despite being the co-producer of a Scotland magazine and the co-author of two Scotland books I still have the terrible habit of skimming through articles at times. PS the answer to the last question should have read "I didn't have a lot of money".

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: How has the quality of your favorite magazines changed (for better or worse over the years)?

Response:  My favourite magazine and those that followed are of course long defunct from about the mid 70's/ There have of course been other attempts at Scottish Football magazines including Scottish Football Today, The Punter, Fitba', Pride that all went by the wayside.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Looking back what was the best era for your favorite magazines?

Response:  Naturally it would be the 70's for me. Football magazines, cards, collectables were all at their height back then with the exception of perhaps Panini stickers of course.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: The daily newspapers play a big part in the coverage of the game. Can you compare these daily papers to the weekly/monthly magazines?

Response:  I don't really read newspaper coverage mainly as I live in Glasgow so the majority of coverage is all about the Old Firm although I do think their overall coverage of other teams is perhaps better than ever before it is all about Rangers and Celtic!!

 Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Has your taste in magazines changed over the years or do you still read your favorite magazines?

Response:  To be honest i don't really read them that often. The Shoot is gone but the monopoly of coverage for the English Premier League galls me to my core along with that of International teams. The kids magazines are extremely dumbed down too as are the cards. Occasionally I will buy Backpass magazine and did enjoy the fanzine type such as Stand and Football Pink, otherwise I glance at very few.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Looking back, do you feel these magazines kept you sufficiently informed about the events of the game as a whole?

Response:  The input in the magazines was good and did keep you informed and from time to time I also enjoyed World Soccer in the late 70's and liked the depth of it's coverage.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Did your interest in reading magazines wane with the advent of Internet and 24 Hour Sports Television channels or are you as interested as ever in reading?

Response:  My interest in football waned at certain points as Music took over in my life. Now if you want me to go on about Sounds, NME, the Melody Maker, Kerrang!, Smash Hits, Q, Mojo I could do also.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Are there publications that have since been defunct that you miss?

Response:  As I said I do miss a Scottish Football Weekly / Monthly based one but don't think we'll see a printed one return with the advent of blogs, twitter, Podcasts although Nutmeg Periodical is avaialble now ever few months.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Getting back to my earlier question about anticipating the release of magazines. Given that now many receive their magazines on PDF, do you feel that a level of excitement has been lost as a result?

Response:  As I say buying a magazine is an irregular thing for me these days so there no anticipation and perhaps it's more a nostalgic magazine that will catch my eye rather than one covering today's football and footballers.

Soccernostalgia/@1888Letter Question: Once again thank you for taking the time in participating in this project.