Publications - Off The Ball (Nos. 1-8)


an inspiration

By The Spider
January 1 2003

The Supporters' Association Annual Handbook (1980 - 1987) publications

It was produced by the loyal fans of Meadowbank Thistle who were perhaps Queen's fans' best friends within the game as we genuinely respected them for supporting a small team when Hearts, and particularly neighbouring Hibs, were easier options. Issued on a monthly basis, Cheers was originally available within the stadium itself but, by issue 12 (February, 1980), it had been officially banned by the club. Thereafter, it could be bought in The Golden Gates, a pub across the road from the ground, before the game. In all, three issues (nos. 7, 12 & 14) coincided with games against Queen's during 1979 and 1980. Sadly, by season 1985-86 when the clubs were next re-acquainted, this most original of fanzines had met its demise. Protaganists in chief were their Editor, Alastair Petrie-Hay, and their cartoonist, Alick Milne; the latter in particular being owed a debt of gratitude by Q.P. fans as we shall now see.

OFF THE BALL

It is supposed by many the The Web was the Queen's Park Supporters' Association's first tentative step into the publishing world, but this is not actually the case. Instead Q.P.S.A. had decided to test supporters' reaction by producing what was described as an annual handbook and which took its name Off The Ball from a satirical football magazine of the 70's. magazine.

The first issue of Off The Ball ran to 72 pages; an extremely ambitious project considering the lack of previous experience in the world of publishing. Ricky Stacey provided the graphics and there were even some photos; something completely lacking in the match programme of the time. To help finance the project, there were also 23 pages of adverts, but what is most noticeable is the number of different contributors who were willing to put pen to paper to ensure that it was a thoroughly good read from start to finish. As you would imagine, the articles came mainly from supporters, but the magazine had a semi-official feel to it with contributions from all the team coaches and even a member of Committee! Also making an apperance was the infamous Sharpened Stud; a man we would be hearing more of in Q.P.S.A folklore.
Although the following year's handbook only ran to 64 pages, it has to be remembered that its predecessor had included 10 pages of pen-pictures. This year also saw a new innovation which would continue for some years to come...the guest article. The cause celebres on this occasion included Prince Charles, Margaret Thatcher and Michael Foot (well, their secretaries sent nice letters on headed paper so that counts doesn't it?), but the lovely Anna Ford (well, she was then!) did reply in person and her letter was also reproduced in full. The Lord Provost also weighed in and there were articles from former Q.P. 'keeper Bobby Clark and Hugh Taylor. Hector Cook remained in the Editor's chair and another fine publication resulted, but why oh why was Barry Hanniford allowed 4 pages for his futuristic "2001 - A Spiders Oddyssey"? Oh Dearie, dearie me!
This was just a gem of a magazine and ranks high amongst QPSA's best efforts. Amazingly still only 50p, the page count for this one ran to an impressive 84! Of course adverts played a part, but sales projections were high and another sell-out was anticipated. The cover was a superb cartoon from Meadowbank's Alick Milne; his willingness to become involved being symbolic of the excellent relationship between the two camps. Never before had the phrase "who ate all the pies?" conjured up such imagery! Many former contributors returned, but new to the fold were Alan Irvine (then with Everton), Alex Ferguson (Aberdeen manager) and Willie Wylie (working on the oil rigs). The media were well represented too and Alistair Alexander, Archie McPherson and Tom Shields had all looked out their best crayons to make their presence felt. Add in 14 photos and a liberal sprinkling of cartoons and you're left with a classic.
By the time that issue no.4 hit the streets, it was under new management, but this was Alan Walker's one and only attempt at the annual handbook. Although the number of pages had dropped to just 42, at 50p nobody could really complain as the advert content was low, although there were a few page-fillers in the shape of some repeat photos and cartoons. Lord Provost Michael Kelly had been kind enough to send in his usual article and Superfan was given a full 3 pages for his latest cartoon spectacular which was seasonally titled "Superfan and the Beanstalk". But it wasn't all bad! There were contributions from the Tate brothers, John Richmond and Barry Haniford. Okay, it wasn't one of the best!
Sometimes you can judge a good product by its cover, and the services of Alick Milne were called upon again with another superb cover ensuing. Iain Campbell had the responsibility of assembling the content and a fine job he did of filling its 52 pages too. Readers were enticed back by the inclusion of a free gift, a balloon to blow up and release at the far end of the pitch with a gale force wind behind you (oh what fun we used to have!), but there was some quality journalism too. For those people fed up with seeing Pamela Stephenson's autographed "good luck" photo each year, here was one from Selina Scott (top totty!) instead. On a serious note, contributors included Alan Mackin, Jim Farry, Jim Gillespie and Andy Roxburgh, whilst the return of the poisoned pen, none other than the Sharpened Stud himself, ensured that at least someone would be given a good bollicking. Knowing not the meaning of the word fear, this time the Stud turned his angry gaze upon the South African F.A. and their (then) feeble attempts at integration.
No. 6 in the series was reduced to 44 pages, but it was still good value for money at only 50p. Alick Milne again produced another classic Xmas theme cover and The Sharpened Stud had found a new target for his vitriol in the form of the Larkhall Rangers Supporters' Club who had cancelled two buses to Greenock following the announcement that Rangers had signed a 14 year old Roman Catholic. Hard to believe that we could have such enlightenment as recently as 1985, eh? A particular highlight of this issue was a frank article from Lexie Grant who revealed that, on one occasion, he hid in the dressing room toilet because he was scared he was going to get a doing from Eddie having questioned his parentage on one occasion after losing his temper at our former coach. Luckily, Sam McNaughton was on hand to save him!
Having held off for six years, issue 7 brought about the first price increase since inception, 70p being felt appropriate for its 40 pages, but this was reasonable as less than 8 of them were adverts. Long serving Sam McNaughton provided a very readable guest article which focused on his role at Hampden on big match days. One of his fondest memories was from an international between Scotland and Northern Ireland when he was one of three people who had to push against the door to stop a small army of George Best's female admirers from gaining access to the dressing room! The Sharpened Stud made his customary appearance, but this time moderation was the name of his game as he gently urged all readers to become members of a new organisation, The Football Supporters Association whom he felt would make a vital difference to our game. Where are they now?
Although it wasn't known at the time, issue 8 which appeared in December 1986 was to be the last of the series. Iain Campbell still occupied the Editor's chair and the price and number of pages also remained unchanged. Bill Sutherland of The Glasgow Herald provided a lengthy guest article which concentrated on the Queen's team of 1985, which he felt brought great credit to Eddie Hunter as it was completely unrecognisable from that which had won promotion just four years previously. The ubiquitous Sharpened Stud had two articles this time round; the second of which griped about the amount of clubs who changed their traditional strips to suit their sponsors. Particularly deserving of ridicule, he commented, were those of Albion Rovers ("clarty") and Raith Rovers ("garbled"), but he wouldn't be The Stud without a dig at Clyde whose kit he rated as "a real eyesore".

Although The Web would continue the fine tradition of fanzines for some years to come, Off The Ball deserves to be remembered as a separate entity in its own right, and those who are fortunate enough to still possess them should treat them with the care and attention that an old friend deserves.

Bookmark or share this story with:

 

Queens Park latest threads