A new exhibition in Leeds is set to showcase some of the world’s earliest football fanzines, the pioneering publications that sparked a global movement of fan-driven commentary from stadium terraces.
Among the highlights is a rare copy of Foul, widely recognised as the first magazine created by football supporters. Titled ‘Voice of the Fans’, the exhibition opens at Leeds Central Library and has been co-produced in partnership with the British Library. On loan from the British Library’s collection, Foul was first published by students at Cambridge University in October 1972. A total of 34 issues were produced between 1972 and 1976, making it a landmark in the history of football fan publishing.
In their search through archives, libraries, and public contributions, researchers also uncovered a copy of The Shamrock, believed to be the oldest football fanzine found to date. Created by fans of Celtic FC, The Shamrock was produced in the early 1960s by the Edinburgh-based Shamrock Supporters Club.
Now on loan from the National Library of Scotland, the fanzine was originally sold by volunteers on match days along the routes leading to Celtic Park.
Antony Ramm, librarian at Leeds Central Library said:
“The longevity and sheer variety of some of these remarkable publications really demonstrates how much fan culture has been at the heart and soul of football, playing such a huge role in making the game so beloved the world over.
“The ways fans express themselves may have changed through the years, but what’s remained the same is that passion and desire which has driven supporters to find a way to make their voices heard. As well as being a fun way of fans communicating, self-published zines have also played an important role in holding clubs to account and driving change in the game too.
“We saw this week just how much football means to the fans, and we’re excited to be celebrating their creations and working with the British Library to bring so many different examples of supporters’ voices together.”
These early fanzines are part of a wide-ranging display of grassroots, self-published zines that chart the evolution of fan-led media from its origins to the digital age of multimedia content. The exhibition also explores broader elements of fan culture, showcasing badges, banners, scarves, and even recordings of terrace chants from the British Library Sound Archive.
Coinciding with the recent celebratory parade that drew thousands of Leeds United fans to mark the club’s triumphant return to the Premier League, the exhibition also highlights some of the most iconic and enduring zines created by Leeds supporters.
Laurence Byrne, lead curator, Latin American and Caribbean collections at the British Library said:
“It’s been a pleasure to be involved with Voice of the Fans, an exhibition the British Library has co-produced with Leeds Libraries. This special exhibition features a number of loans from the Library’s collection of zines, created by football fans from the 1970s onwards, including Foul, widely regarded as the first football fanzine.
“As historical documents fanzines are invaluable, reflecting contemporary politics and changing social values while representing the incredible creativity and ingenuity of fans. I hope that researchers and the public will continue to be inspired by them.”
The exhibition includes editions of The Square Ball, showcasing Elland Road legends such as Gordon Strachan and Lucas Radebe, as well as Marching Altogether, a fanzine created by Leeds United supporters to stand against racism in football. With Bradford City recently celebrating their promotion to League One, visitors can also view copies of The City Gent —the longest-running print football fanzine in the UK.
The exhibition will also showcase a selection of influential titles from the British Library’s collection, including The End, along with notable Yorkshire-based fanzines such as Y-Front, Just Another Wednesday, and Smile Awhile.
Kenn Taylor, lead culture producer north at the British Library said:
“We are thrilled to be co-producing Voice of the Fans with Leeds Libraries. We’ve long had a presence in Leeds through working with local partners to deliver inspiring exhibitions and also more widely in West Yorkshire, with over 70 per cent of our collection being cared for in Boston Spa, near Wetherby.
“This collaboration with Leeds Libraries is part of the British Library’s wider commitment to the region, working closely with the local community in Leeds and opening up our collection for everyone.”
Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety said:
“This week has been a huge moment for football in Leeds and a time when we’ve seen in spectacular style just how much love for the game there is in the city. We’re thrilled to be showcasing how much football has meant to fans through the years and to be celebrating the unique place the beautiful game has in the hearts of supporters.”
Voice of the Fans is now open at Leeds Central Library and will run until August 10. Admission is free for all visitors.
For more details about the Voice of the Fans exhibition, please visit: Voice of the Fans Exhibition | Leeds Library
