DEM BLADES | est. 2019

SHEFFIELD UNITED

demblades. co. uk • @ DEM_ BLADES

SAM PARRY

FAVOURITE COVER There were two main themes that we sought to capture in Issue 2: Chris Wilder’s blood- and- thunder style of football, alongside the raging hangover of a promotion party. We scattered the bottle caps of Wilder’s favourite tipple across a blank page and into a tactical constellation of a 3- 5- 2 – featuring a black marker streak to emphasise the unique deployment of his overlapping centre- back.

STANDOUT MOMENT The FSA shortlisted us for Fanzine of the Year in our first full year. We’ve had an appreciative message from Wilder too, which was nice, but the part I enjoy most is hearing from new fans who want to get involved and create content. MEMORABLE PLAYER/ MANAGER INCIDENT

One of the first things I did for Issue 1 was contact ex- players. I tracked down Tony Agana, who played more than 100 times for the Blades. I was even more delighted when he greeted my idea to conduct something more creative than a Q& A with enthusiasm. Pun at the ready, I offered him the chance to write the fanzine’s first ever advice column as our ‘ Agana Aunt’. In a surreal chat, the club legend answered fans’ questions that ranged from why people leave the stadium 10 minutes early to what can be done about problematic pet monkeys.

MOST IMPORTANT STORY We always try to promote things fans may not have heard before. Some of my favourite stories are the more whimsical or personal ones about 100- year- old Blades, our ‘ Pukka Pie Poetry Corner’, or our recent piece about the most successful English manager nobody has heard of: George Raynor. Coming up, we also have a long read about the club’s strange relationship with Ferencvaros in Hungary, for which our writer has spoken with fan groups, journalists, former players and managers to clear up a Blades issue that has been a bit hazy for years.