The Whiff - a fanzine born out of obsession. Or beer.

The Spread Eagle on Norfolk Road has much to commend it: big enough to hold a few hundred fans before and after the game, a reasonable choice of ales and, of course, about as close as you can get to Elm Park without being in the player's bar.

There is, however, one stain on it's otherwise impeccable reputation: the Spread must take a large part of the blame for the formation of The Whiff. Denied the chance to drink copious amounts of alcohol a very short time after the game, The Whiff might well have merely remained an "I could do that" notion in the back of the editor's minds. After five pints, two spicy pepperamis and a bag of Wheat Crunchies, however, that notion quickly becomes "well, why don't we then?" There's only a short step, about three pints worth, from here to commitment.

The demise of Elm Park and the move to Bedlam provided the final impetus: Reading have a new stadium and so, as the crowds swell beyond 15,000, why not a new fanzine to go with it? OK, you need at least eight pints or a frontal lobotomy (preferably both) to see the logic of that argument but, hey, this is a football fanzine and not the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus.

The title came from the twisted minds of Pete Cook and Paul Woodward. What a different place the world wouldn't have been had we gone with one of the other contenders: "Terry Bullivant's not-very-convincing Army" perhaps, or "Blue and White Spite", "The Third Division Society", "A little light Reading","Gory, Gory, Reading FC" amongst others.

The Whiff is a celebration of the contradiction that is Reading FC: a shiny new stadium set in a stinking wasteland. May we both live long and prosperously.

Contact The Whiff

The Whiff
PO Box 2607
Reading
RG1 8XU

Or email: thewhiff@hotmail.com

Editorial Team

Paul "Woody" Woodward Alan "Stretch" Cross Pete "Pete" Cook Jeff Kirkpatrick

Click on the picture for a full size image of the lads at Blackpool.
(If you're brave enough that is)

Something Stinks On Hob Nob Anyone?

The Whiff on-line created by Graham Loader.
Colin Cheeselog banner created by Dean Madden.

Subscriptions

To subscribe to the paper fanzine use the contact details above.
£7 for six issues. Cheques (no cash please) payable to "The Whiff".
State starting issue, and don't forget to include your address!

Back Issues

£1 each. Again, cheques only please to the address above. Sorry, issues 1 & 6 are sold out.
Back issues are also available at the Supporter's Club shop on the East Stand concourse.

This site contains just a sample of the Whiff - for the full thing you should buy it outside the Mad House before a game!