Leeds library kicks off new football exhibition
The spectacle will be comprised of a number of different zines charting decades of cheers, triumphs and tears experienced by players and fans.
Voice of the Fans is the latest exhibition set to open at Leeds Central Library on the 9th May this year.
Image: Leeds City Council.
The display will almost act as a shrine to teams in the Northwest, as it will contain copies of Leeds United fanzine The Square Ball, featuring Elland Road idols including Gordon Strachan and Lucas Radebe, Marching Altogether, founded by Leeds fans to campaign against racism and fascism in football and Bradford City’s City Gent – the longest running football zine in the country.
Leeds Central Library staff are also calling on football supporters to dig through their own collection at home and donate some of their zines to the exhibition.
Co-produced by the British Library, the exhibition will also work to showcase the impact grassroots of self-publishing had on football fan culture by tracing the birth of zines in the 1970s through to modern multi-media content.
The British Library will also be providing various zines from their collection including Foul, The End and other Yorkshire publications such as Flashing Blade and Mi Whippet’s Dead.
Antony Ramm, one of the curators who has been collating the display, said: ‘Football fans are well known for their incredible passion for the game, and zines have played such a central role in supporters being able to make their voices heard in a totally independent and authentic way.
‘They’ve also been a huge part of holding clubs to account as well as being at the forefront of exploring some of the important cultural issues which have affected both players and fans.
‘Above all, zines really capture the unique spirit, enthusiasm and humour that’s at the heart of being a football fan, and that’s probably why they have been so enduringly popular.’
Councillor Mary Harland, executive member for communities, customer service and community safety at Leeds City Council, added: ‘Football fan culture is a massive aspect of life in Leeds and Yorkshire, and that passion and enthusiasm for sport is part of our cultural heritage.
‘It’s wonderful to see so many examples of the ways supporters have made their voices heard coming together in what will be an amazing celebration of creativity and love of the beautiful game.’
More information about how to access and donate publications for the event can be found here.
In related news:
Westminster to ditch ‘For Sale’ signs, but is this the best decision?
EPC upgrades are kind to the environment and landlords’ pockets
