Bonser Attacks Fanzine

By Mister Happy
April 10 2004

Normally the matchday magazine subjects us to a load of old nonesense from Colin Lee, some club propoganda from Whalley and some pro club rubbish from Poole. This week however, i see that Mr.Bonser has declared war on the Fanzine. Much better than the normal stuff i must say.

I have to admit that I am a big fan of the owner printing his comments in the match day programme. To be honest, it is normally the only interesting piece in there. However, of late our owner seems to be having a personal battle with various people who write about the club.

 

A few weeks ago there was a little knock at Paul Geiss who normally scribbles a few words for us to read in the Pink. This week though JB has launched into a massive attack on the Fanzine editor claiming that both “the town and club can do without the kind of negative and mischief making comments we have come to expect from Steven Stuart”. WOW

 

Why on earth does Mr Bonser launch these attacks? If, as he claims, the fanzine sells less copies in Walsall than the Kabul Times then why on earth should he be bothered with what can only be described as tittle-tattle. If the fanzine or Stuart himself deliberately went out of their way to misinform people about what was going on at the club then I could perhaps understand it. However, all that these guys do is to create a publication (and a lot of effort and hard work is involved with this) so that people who enjoy their offerings can have a read and a laugh. Most of the articles are “tongue in cheek” anyway and as such shouldn’t necessitate a full frontal assault from the club owner.

 

The other side of the argument is that everyone has a right to free speech. As the fanzine (and other people including myself) has occasionally gone into print criticising Bonser then surely Mr Bonser is entitled to a right of reply.

 

I can’t comment on Jeff Bonser personally as I have never met him. With regards to Steve though, I have always found him extremely good company and can say that he cares passionately about Walsall Football Club. Why else would someone spend so much time and effort into producing fanzines, articles for the Advertiser and running radio shows?

 

Jeff Bonser seems to think that there are hidden agenda’s. What these could be I cannot imagine. One thing that I do hope for though is that the Fanzine, Fan sites such as this one, UTS and Rivals can all co-exist with club without hostilities breaking out.

 

I also include Jeff Bonser’s articles in the programme in the above statement. Not only is it a refreshing change from times gone by but it is also a fantastic read. Something I’m sure that you all agree with.