RAOTL Editorial

September 24, 2026

Welcome to Issue 326 of Red All Over The Land.

I’m seriously having to think about the future of the Fanzine. Selling at Anfield is getting harder by the season, in fact, by the game. We’re now down to just three sellers at league games, Martin and Andy at Flagpole corner and myself outside the Main Stand. At European games it’s just Martin and myself with a helping hand from Liam when he gets over from Ireland. At the recent League Cup game, it was just me. This has cost the Fanzine sales because we can’t cover all the bases.

The majority who now attend games at Anfield have no real idea what a Fanzine is and those who have crossed a few continents and don’t really speak English are never going to buy a copy. I get told people don’t buy printed matter in the modern world, it’s all digital, it’s all social media, it’s all podcasts and I understand where they’re coming from, but I don’t necessarily fully agree.

We have a digital version of the Fanzine but it’s hardly worth the effort because only a handful subscribe to it whereas subscribers to the printed version have remained constant over the past few years and that makes the Fanzine worth the effort. Social media and podcasts are instant reactions, this Fanzine isn’t. This Fanzine is a platform for fans to comment on more than just a game or a result. Like what’s going on at Anfield with ticket issues, getting into the ground etc. What’s happening around Anfield has also impacted on sales like the scanning process that led to large queues at the turnstiles and now the fact that Breck Road is now closed off so the buses have been rerouted. It stops the match day flow.

First day of sales for this issue was the Manchester City game and whereas a few years ago that would have meant good business. Now it’s not like that because, and I don’t mean this as a general statement, there will be an abundance of tourists. The box ticking type, not those who are genuine fans. They’re increasing in number because that’s the market clubs, not just Liverpool, are targeting.

What this Fanzine needs is more subscribers. The details on how to do that are elsewhere in the Fanzine. I don’t see us getting more sellers but if someone wanted to do a tour of the pubs on the outskirts of the area, like the King Harry or the Mere Bank, or the Glenbuck for example, it could help. Everybody who subscribes, buys or contributes will know a Liverpool fan. Ask them to subscribe or if they’re at the match, buy a Fanzine.

Match Day sales used to be our bread and butter and subscriptions a bonus. Things have changed. While I still have the energy and desire, the Fanzine won’t go away but it needs a bit of help.

On the pitch the team has divided opinions, likewise certain players. Maybe the positives and the negatives are 50/50. The next round of fixtures could give an indication as to how things are going so maybe that will be the time to start assessing the situation. Andoni seems more inclined to trust the younger players than Arne and if we can get a couple more out of the treatment room and back on the pitch maybe his options will be stronger.

JJP: What does the future hold? Tomorrow never knows.