Today’s #FanzineoftheDay was In Dublin’s Fair City until this issue, number 21 in late 1998 when it became Peeping Tom but stayed with Coventry City (could have restarted the numbering lads…). The special offer on the front cover is superb, as is the knock off logo which would remain for a few more issues. Apologies for the cover, it is actually a sort of dull, dirty sky blue but my scanner won’t have it.

So why the name change? Dion Dublin’s shock departure to Aston Villa means that a name that was already a great example of a terribly weak pun would become one named after a well known local pervert. Never fear they promise to make as many mistakes as before. Fanzines eh?! The address of editor, my extensive knowledge of the cheapest but relatively safe places to live in Manchester (1983-1993) and the general tone of the fanzine leads me to believe that Mr Wheeler might have been a student “widening his horizons” in the big city. In addition, offering £30 an hour to sell fanzines smacks of a lack of financial management that only a student could display.

The main attraction this week is local rivals Leicester City and our heroes find much to compare between the two teams even if their dislike of Martin O’Neil is clear. I wonder what happened to him?

Ed Lines again gives us the reason for the name change, the bald judas. We also get a behind the scenes look at how a new name was found with an unfortunate comparison to Sullivan and Raymond, unfortunately we know what happened to them. There is sensational news that the fanzine will appear “online” with 180 words on teletext page 182. How come twitter only started with 140 words…technology is supposed to move forwards?!

The Dion love in continues with 1 page of text spread over 2 pages and some crude cartoons/caricatures filling the space in between. The signing of Trond Egil Soltvedt is acclaimed as the next big hero / gem but 57 appearances in 2 years and just 3 goals (plus 4 appearances for Norway) would prove otherwise. Sold at a £200,000 loss.

This is followed with another fill page cartoon and caricature. I get the feeling they’ve lost faith in Dion.

The life of Nobbler Morris foretells the downfall of many pro footballers nowadays. The FA’s attempts to “ban” heading came all too late.

There is an article defending the indefensible, Di Canio’s push on Paul Alcock. OK it’s a little tongue in cheek I know and with it being in the US I’m surprised they didn’t trial the use of electric golf carts for refs at this year’s World Cup.

Poetry appears with a loose interpretation of a Sonnet in honour of….you guessed it, Dion Dublin

Good attempt at a fanzine, lots to be amused about and a lively letters page shows at least some people were listening (or that the editor was very creative). Perhaps a little light on content but it was good content and as a former student in Manchester I can assure you there were many many more things to waste your time on.

We’ll finish on a mystery/quiz. The “in brief” section on the back page mentions not only Cliff Richard but that a player on the pitch in the famous 1987 FA Cup Final, Keith Houchen, Gary Mabbutts Knee (another Cov’ fanzine) and all that but it is also stated that one player went on to play for Chesterfield…Now Steve Ogrizovic STARTED at Chesterfield but no other player on the pitch that day ever went anywhere near the mighty blues as far as I know. I think I spot another mistake. Big Cyrille did go on to play for Chester, perhaps they were confused. Anyway, mistakes in a fanzine? Whatever next!