A yearly fanzine/annual

[Steve Mackan]

Over the course of this season, I've been preparing content and inviting a few contributors to create an end of season annual.

I used to buy the Flashing Blade, but probably not for fifteen years. I don't need to explain the 'problem' of the internet and its effect on paper sales. But there is something - like there is with vinyl - about paper and ink. What I'd really like to know is, what do people think about Sheffield United Annual and what would they expect to see in it?

(For a wee bit of context - at the moment I have a range of sketches and illustrations, anecdotes, short stories, match reviews and long reads from a few different contributors.)

Thoughts very much welcomed, especially the negative ones!

Cheers!


(Hope this is 'general' enough for General Blades chat, but do move the thread if it's too pluggy)

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

full page nudes?

 

[Steve Mackan]

full page nudes?

Let me know who and I can get that done. I was actually thinking of some pull-out, pin-ups. Leon Clarke in his fancy dress, example.

 

[Kop Cat]

yeah go for it, really miss Flashing Blade, even a once a year replacement type would be good, I`d buy 1

 

[Steve Mackan]

yeah go for it, really miss Flashing Blade, even a once a year replacement type would be good, I`d buy 1

Nice one. I'd love to do it weekly but it's just unsustainable.

Certainly going to do this one as an 'annual' but season after might split into 3 issues (1 for every 3 months of the season).

 

[bromtom]

I'd buy a collection of your pre and post match stuff. That's the good shit that is.

Something like a comic strip based on players lives (fictional obviously, some aspect of their character or an in-joke) for example, 'At home with Jamal Blackman' where he's having a gathering and invites his teammates round for tea, goes to get a casserole dish from the top of his cupboard but lands on top of Carter-Vickers and Simon Moore has to finish the stew.

Shit like that. That's what I find amusing.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

Was just about to say, could you not do it quarterly? You seem to have enough content to do so. And I'm sure the Internet would bring a few willing contributors. I'd be willing to get involved in some form.

I used to run gallonofmagnet.co.uk a few years back, if you remember that. And currently behind shorehamst.com.

And you're right, reading a fanzine is far superior to sitting in front of a screen to read a blog.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

I'd buy a collection of your pre and post match stuff. That's the good shit that is.

Something like a comic strip based on players lives (fictional obviously, some aspect of their character or an in-joke) for example, 'At home with Jamal Blackman' where he's having a gathering and invites his teammates round for tea, goes to get a casserole dish from the top of his cupboard but lands on top of Carter-Vickers and Simon Moore has to finish the stew.

Shit like that. That's what I find amusing.

They post enough on Instagram for an endless supply of material. Surely Blackman's dog would get a mention?

 

[Steve Mackan]

I'd buy a collection of your pre and post match stuff. That's the good shit that is.

Shit like that. That's what I find amusing.

There is going to be a fair bit of that!

In regard to shit like that - have a very funny illustration done by a very talented illustrator that I'd love to share with you, haha.

I'd be willing to get involved in some form.
Will drop you a message!

I used to run gallonofmagnet.co.uk a few years back, if you remember that. And currently behind shorehamst.com.
And you're right, reading a fanzine is far superior to sitting in front of a screen to read a blog.

Aye, I'm familiar. I agree a blog is great because people can read your stuff, but ultimately suffers (for me anyway) becuase the quality of writing/time/effort fluctuates hugely!

 

[super_pig]

Over the course of this season, I've been preparing content and inviting a few contributors to create an end of season annual.

I used to buy the Flashing Blade, but probably not for fifteen years. I don't need to explain the 'problem' of the internet and its effect on paper sales. But there is something - like there is with vinyl - about paper and ink. What I'd really like to know is, what do people think about Sheffield United Annual and what would they expect to see in it?

(For a wee bit of context - at the moment I have a range of sketches and illustrations, anecdotes, short stories, match reviews and long reads from a few different contributors.)

Thoughts very much welcomed, especially the negative ones!

Cheers!


(Hope this is 'general' enough for General Blades chat, but do move the thread if it's too pluggy)

dead right i’ll have one mate!

 

[DifferentClass]

I Should be So Luhukay- the adventures of the pig manager and his sidekick Glen Loovens the human toilet.

 

[Roygbiv]

I'd buy it and would also be happy to contribute by writing some shit for it.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

How varied do you envisage the material to be? I like the blogs, but would probably need a bit more to persuade me to put my hand in my pocket (and there is the issue of Mrs HBT's views on the space occupied by my programme + bits and pieces collection). Would some threads on here provide the basis for items (not sure about copyright)? SilentBlade on history, OldPhotos, Twats the lot of them, etc., could provide topics for inclusion. BallSup on the youngsters and beer is always interesting, and something on the Ladies team might help civilise us a bit... And some time ago you said cartoons were in your mind...

 

[Foxy]

I had started something similar last season, but never got around to finishing.

Always been o the site to:do list.

 

[Steve Mackan]

How varied do you envisage the material to be? I like the blogs, but would probably need a bit more to persuade me to put my hand in my pocket (and there is the issue of Mrs HBT's views on the space occupied by my programme + bits and pieces collection). Would some threads on here provide the basis for items (not sure about copyright)? SilentBlade on history, OldPhotos, Twats the lot of them, etc., could provide topics for inclusion. BallSup on the youngsters and beer is always interesting, and something on the Ladies team might help civilise us a bit... And some time ago you said cartoons were in your mind*...

Yes, it will be much more varied. As much as I'd like to digress for 30k words, I'll keep it to more like 2.

I've already got in touch with one of those people that you've mentioned as I really like his writing.

In terms of nicking stuff off the threads, there is one post in particular that inspired 'dem blades blog' that I'd like to include, to that end you've reminded me to ask Foxy and the OP if I can nab it. I had planned on a few in-jokes and some knowing nods, but don't want to tread on any toes or re-produce things that people are already very familiar with.


*I'm trying as hard as I can to get more illustrators/cartoonists, but what I have at the minute is fantastic (not just saying that!).

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I’m about to launch “A Gallon of Maggots”, so you’d best be quick, Steve.

 

[Steve Mackan]

I’m about to launch “A Gallon of Maggots”, so you’d best be quick, Steve.

So long as you are not launching them anywhere near me, I'm not bothered!

 

[BalancedBlade]

Brilliant idea, I’d definitely have 2 or 3 for Xmas gifts.
I’d love to see something like a “where are they now “ feature
Maybe start with Michael Higdon!!

 

[Adiroy]

I also used to buy the flashing blade, packed in buying it as the content started to get wishy washy and repetative.

Think an annual or a quarterly would be a good idea, keep the content of it away from the normal program stuff and you could be onto a winner. Plenty of ideas from stuff like the viz, wsc etc

 

[flashinblade1889]

Over the course of this season, I've been preparing content and inviting a few contributors to create an end of season annual.

I used to buy the Flashing Blade, but probably not for fifteen years. I don't need to explain the 'problem' of the internet and its effect on paper sales. But there is something - like there is with vinyl - about paper and ink. What I'd really like to know is, what do people think about Sheffield United Annual and what would they expect to see in it?

(For a wee bit of context - at the moment I have a range of sketches and illustrations, anecdotes, short stories, match reviews and long reads from a few different contributors.)

Thoughts very much welcomed, especially the negative ones!

Cheers!


(Hope this is 'general' enough for General Blades chat, but do move the thread if it's too pluggy)

Sounds a good idea Steve quarterly print sell it at a decent price and maybe a small percentage to Foxy and Linz to help fund this site?

 

[stringer]

Is Flashing Blade toast now?

 

[JJ Sefton]

I used to write for Flashing Blade years ago, history stuff, and would be happy to contribute.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Is Flashing Blade toast now?

You mean the Flashing Blade that's been edited for the last 30 years by the same bloke, who coincidentally writes a column for The Star?

If you could find him, by some means or other, you could ask him, but I've got the Dec 2017 edition and nothing to say that's it. It loses money every year and when the surplus funds have run out it will stop, which will not be too long now.

That's a shame but it's the way of the print world these days, I used to contribute, but don't anymore. So many words are written on here every day and some of those would be suitable for FB, Roygbiv's Views From would be a natural fit. I did once mention to Matt that a tie up of some sort might work, but at that point, he wasn't even reading message boards.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

yeah go for it, really miss Flashing Blade, even a once a year replacement type would be good, I`d buy 1

FB is still going strong.

 

[grafikhaus]

I'd like to see graphs, graphs and more graphs...

 

[stringer]

You mean the Flashing Blade that's been edited for the last 30 years by the same bloke, who coincidentally writes a column for The Star?

If you could find him, by some means or other, you could ask him, but I've got the Dec 2017 edition and nothing to say that's it. It loses money every year and when the surplus funds have run out it will stop, which will not be too long now.

That's a shame but it's the way of the print world these days, I used to contribute, but don't anymore. So many words are written on here every day and some of those would be suitable for FB, Roygbiv's Views From would be a natural fit. I did once mention to Matt that a tie up of some sort might work, but at that point, he wasn't even reading message boards.

Asking on here, when the idea was brought up, was miles easier, and thanks for clarifying

 

[Blade56]

Tits


Seriously (unusual for me) good idea if there's enough demand. A collaboration with S2 4SU section. I could write about Pork Pies.

 

[Blade56]

I'd like to see graphs, graphs and more graphs...

Me too

​

 

[Davalon]

Tits and fanny obviously as Sheffield is full of it along with United.

Could have a Players Wives feature, 'WAG SHAGS'

 

[I should coco]

I'd buy it and would also be happy to contribute by writing some shit for it.

Will you actually 'write some shit' or just hoover around the interweb?

(BTW, thanks Roygbiv for all you do)

If you could find him, by some means or other, you could ask him, but I've got the Dec 2017 edition and nothing to say that's it. It loses money every year and when the surplus funds have run out it will stop, which will not be too long now.

He's Matt Bell and he sits near the middle of the kop. I see him occassionally but not every game, but I'm sure someone must know him better than that.