The Gooner

The Gooner

Editor	Kevin Whitcher
Categories	Football fanzine
Frequency	Monthly during football season
First issue	October 1987
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Gooner is an Arsenal fanzine, created by the Arsenal F.C. supporters. A new issue is released approximately every month. The fanzine celebrated its 200th edition in November 2009.

The Gooner was first distributed in October 1987 and was a black and white publication much like a small pamphlet and cost 25 pence. The 1990/91 season was the first to regularly sport full colour covers. The current version of The Gooner resembles a more professional glossy publication but still retains its sense of being an unofficial product produced by fans.

The Gooner is sold at various points on the approach to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on most home match days, and outside the ground at away fixtures. Some pubs in the local area around Highbury allow The Gooner to be sold on their premises. The Gooner is sold at a price of £2.50 per issue.

The front cover normally contains a witty headline and an Arsenal related picture. The back cover is often a mimicry of a popular film, TV programme or advertising campaign. The back cover often mocks Arsenal's rivals or unpopular (ex) players. The fanzine has a number of regular features such as "Talking Reds" (the Editor's piece), "The Highbury Spy", "Mickey Cannon" and "Dwight Hart-Lane". The contents range from serious articles submitted by fans aiming a critique at the club, manager or certain players, to light-hearted cartoon sketches. Every issue has a letter page with responses from an Editor.

The Gooner has a website,^[1] which is normally updated every day, with postings from regular contributors and fans as well as the Editor. The website also offers the option of buying a subscription to the fanzine.

The Gooner is one of a number of such Arsenal fanzines such as Gunflash!, Highbury High and Up The Arse. It is the highest selling unofficial Arsenal publication and provides an alternative to the official club magazine and programme.

References