Two Minutes Past Eight — A New Local Football Fanzine for Hitchin
By Katie Wilson 1st Sep 2026
Created by local writer Katie, Two Minutes Past Eight is a new one‑sheet football fanzine inspired by the classic pub‑table fanzines many of us grew up with. I loved fanzines when I was younger, and I've always wanted to create one of my own — something small, friendly, and full of character.
The first issue includes short features such as History of Nicknames, The Mavericks, Weird But True, a mini Magic Moments Quiz, and a reflective tagline that sets the tone: "Football, friendship, and feeling okay." It blends humour, nostalgia, and gentle wellbeing themes, focusing on the quieter side of football culture.
At its core, Two Minutes Past Eight is about reaching out and supporting men's mental health. Football has always been a place where men gather, talk, laugh, and sometimes hide how they're really feeling. This fanzine aims to bring a bit of connection back into those spaces — something you can pick up in a pub, read over a pint, and maybe feel a little less alone. It follows the same spirit as Katie's PRIDE, which has always been about community, kindness, and creating things people can hold in their hands.
A first batch of 100 free copies will be available shortly, with pubs being the main place where I'll be distributing them. Two Minutes Past Eight will always be free, keeping it accessible to everyone and rooted in the idea that football culture belongs to the whole community.
I'm not planning a strict schedule — future issues will come out whenever I have the time and inspiration. I'm starting this on my own, but I'm open to building a small team in the future if the fanzine grows into something more substantial.
Anyone interested in supporting future issues or helping with distribution is welcome to get in touch.
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