The Evolution of Football Magazines: From Print to Digital
A Look Back at the Golden Era of Football Journalism
For decades, football magazines were an essential part of a fan’s experience. Before 24/7 sports news and instant updates on social media, publications like MATCH! and Shoot! were the go-to sources for the latest football news, player interviews, and transfer rumours.
But as the digital age transformed the way we consume content, the once-thriving world of print football magazines saw a sharp decline. In this article, we’ll explore the rise and fall of football print media, how MATCH! and Shoot! shaped football journalism, and take a nostalgic look at some of the most iconic magazine covers over the decades.
The Golden Age of Football Magazines
1960s–1990s: The Print Era
Football magazines thrived at a time when fans had few alternatives for in-depth football coverage. Newspapers provided brief match reports, but magazines offered something different—detailed analysis, exclusive interviews, glossy photos, and collectable posters.
During this period, three magazines dominated the scene:
1. Shoot! (1969–2008)
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Launched in 1969, Shoot! was a game-changer. It became the must-read magazine for football fans across Britain, featuring:
✅ "Focus On" player profiles – giving insight into players' favourite foods, hobbies, and football heroes.
✅ "You Are The Ref" feature – a fun way for fans to test their knowledge of the game’s rules.
✅ League tables, results, and team news – keeping fans informed in a pre-internet world.
Shoot! remained hugely popular throughout the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, selling over 120,000 copies a week at its peak.
2. MATCH! (1979–Present)
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MATCH! arrived a decade later, in 1979, providing a more modern, youth-friendly approach to football coverage. Unlike Shoot!, MATCH! focused on:
✅ Eye-catching designs and full-colour action shots.
✅ Big-name interviews and star player features.
✅ Posters and collectables, making it a hit with younger readers.
As the Premier League boomed in the ‘90s, MATCH! became the go-to magazine for young football fans. It remains in print today, adapting to modern trends but still delivering football content in print form.
3. World Soccer (1960–Present)
For fans who wanted a more serious, in-depth look at the game, World Soccer provided global football coverage, including:
✅ Tactical analysis of European and South American football.
✅ Ballon d’Or voting – World Soccer played a role in deciding the prestigious award.
✅ Historical retrospectives, making it a favourite among serious football historians.
World Soccer is one of the few remaining print football magazines, proving that quality journalism still has a place in the digital age.
The Decline of Print Football Magazines
By the early 2000s, football magazines began to struggle. Why?
📡 The Internet Changed Everything
Football fans no longer had to wait a week to read match reports—they could get live updates online. News websites, club forums, and later social media platforms provided instant access to transfer rumours, player stats, and breaking stories.
📉 Falling Circulation & Rising Costs
Print magazines relied on subscriptions and advertising, but as digital advertising became more profitable, major brands shifted their budgets online. Many football magazines saw a dramatic drop in readership, making it difficult to cover printing and distribution costs.
📲 The Rise of Fan-Driven Digital Content
Social media and YouTube gave fans a new way to engage with football content. Instead of reading an article, they could watch fan debates on YouTube channels like AFTV or listen to podcasts dissecting every game. Independent bloggers and influencers filled the gap once occupied by print magazines.
The Transition to Digital: Football Magazines That Adapted
While many magazines closed down, some successfully transitioned to digital platforms:
📱 MATCH! Magazine: Still in print but also provides digital content on social media.
🌍 World Soccer: Expanded its online presence while keeping a loyal print readership.
📖 FourFourTwo: Shifted towards online features, long-form journalism, and digital subscriptions.
Other iconic publications, like Shoot!, weren’t so lucky. Despite attempts to go digital, it ceased publication in 2008, ending nearly 40 years of football journalism.
Iconic Football Magazine Covers Through the Decades
Let’s take a nostalgic look at some of the most memorable football magazine covers:
📅 1977: Kevin Keegan on Shoot! – At the peak of his Liverpool career before heading to Hamburg.
📅 1986: Maradona's "Hand of God" – A controversial moment captured in World Soccer.
📅 1992: The Premier League Begins – MATCH! covering the start of a new era in English football.
📅 1999: Manchester United’s Treble-Winning Team – A legendary FourFourTwo cover.
📅 2004: Arsenal’s Invincibles – Celebrating an unbeaten season in the Premier League.
These covers weren’t just magazine issues; they became historical snapshots of football’s greatest moments.
Are Football Magazines Making a Comeback?
While traditional print football magazines will never regain their peak popularity, there has been a rise in nostalgia-driven collectability.
🎟️ Football memorabilia collectors are increasingly searching for vintage editions of MATCH! and Shoot!
📖 Independent football magazines like Mundial and The Blizzard have found success through storytelling and premium print quality.
📱 Football magazines now thrive on social media, adapting to the way fans consume content today.
Final Thoughts
The evolution of football magazines tells the story of how football media has changed over time. From the golden era of Shoot! and MATCH! to the dominance of digital football content, the way fans engage with the game continues to evolve.
🚀 Want to own a piece of football history? At Rematch LDN, we specialise in authentic vintage football magazines from the 1960s–2000s.