Hi Cooper, I just want to start by saying that I've nothing against you personally. We have different political views and that's fine. I'm sure that we have lots of non political things in common.
The point I was making wasn't so much generally about the political situation in the north in the 80s but more specifically about the fanzine movement that grew out of the way that football fans were treated by the authorities and by the thatcher government. Opposition to the scheme that required fans to register and have a membership card to attend games was a big driver behind the growth of fanzines.
Fanzines were progressive, of the left, anti-authority, anti-racist and with the odd joke or two. All the things that were of minimal interest to the Tories of the time. So when you make the point that this is a place for Boro fans first, I question that. I still see it as a place for a certain type of Boro fan. The type of boro fan, for example, that supports the clubs collections for food banks, but is outraged by the need for them, rather than the type of fan that denies that the Tory austerity measures are in any way connected. And I'm not saying that's you, but it's a general theme from posters on the right.
In a nutshell, there are lots of football forums. Plenty of Middlesbrough options. Not all share the history and the background of fanzine boards like this one. I stand by my comment of likening it to hiding your colors in an away pub back in the day. Reveal those colours in these parts and you've got to expect some stick.
Anyway, welcome back.