CARLY ODELL: The rise of social media and the addition of message boards and fan forums appeared to have forced fanzines to become slightly marginalised. But are they showing signs of life once more?
Lancashire fanzine 'Not The Spin'
Over the years there have been many unofficial cricket magazines aimed at supporters - or fanzines.
Essex CC’s Johnny Miller 96 Not Out (JM96NO), Surrey’s All Out Cricket and England-focused Yes…No…Sorry have been among the most successful but none of the three are now published.
The rise of social media and the addition of message boards and fan forums appeared to have forced fanzines to become slightly marginalised. But are they about to make a comeback?
We had a peek at the fanzines still getting print runs in the world of cricket...
First produced during England’s 2001 tour in India, this is easily the longest-running fanzine in English cricket. The magazine is independent and aims to be witty and insightful about all things cricket.
Copies can be picked up at the grounds on England tours, or at nearby bars. There have been 21 issues produced in the 17 years that the fanzine has been going, with several issues causing upset and controversy - most notably issue nine, which was produced during the 2006-2007 Ashes series, when Australia regained the Ashes on home soil.
The issue attacked Australian supporters and their lack of intelligent comebacks, which editor Andy Clark also blogged about for The Sydney Morning Herald. This fanzine has certainly made its mark on international cricket.
A new era for fanzines: The Incider is a completely digital platform, but still has the same dimensions as a printed fanzine. The site was set up in 2014 and is independent from Somerset CCC. It was made by fans, for fans, who call themselves the Cider Army, hence the title.
The Incider has several contributors, who all write about the club, as well as voicing their opinions and concerns. Unusually, for a fanzine, Somerset CCC has an alliance with The Incider and a contributor for the magazine is more often than not, invited to attend official press conferences.
The Incider also has a large social media presence, with over 1,000 followers on Twitter, where action from games is posted as it happens. The Incider is a new and fresh take on a fanzine, but one that is doing well and providing Somerset fans with exactly what they want.
New for this season, Not The Spin has hit the ground running and has already caused controversy amongst Lancashire CCC. The first issue is being sold for £2 and includes pages on whether Lancashire will compete for trophies this season, the club’s investment and debts and the opinions over the news that Freddie Flintoff has joined the Lancashire CCC board.
Founders of Not The Spin, Ian Lomax and Timothy St Ather have been banned from the Lancashire CCC ground. Both men received letters from the club secretary asking them to stay away from Old Trafford.
The fanzine was set up to voice the views of the Lancashire Action Group, in order to try to initiate change within the club.
If the first issue is anything to go by, Not The Spin is set to revamp the face of cricket fanzines.