August 16, 1969, marked a pivotal moment in football journalism. The very first issue of Shoot! Magazine hit the newsstands across Britain, forever changing how fans consumed football content. This wasn’t just another sports publication—it was a revolution that would captivate generations of football enthusiasts.
The inaugural issue came complete with a stunning colour centrefold featuring England’s triumphant 1966 World Cup winners. For football fans accustomed to black-and-white newspaper coverage, this vibrant presentation was nothing short of groundbreaking. The magazine promised to bring readers closer to their heroes than ever before.
What Made Issue #1 Special
Shoot!’s debut edition established the template that would make it Britain’s most beloved football magazine for decades to come. The publication struck the perfect balance between serious football journalism and the kind of content that made young fans feel connected to their sporting idols.
The centrefold poster of England’s World Cup winners wasn’t merely decorative—it represented a cultural shift. Football was transitioning from a working-class pastime into mainstream entertainment, and Shoot! recognised this transformation before most publishers.
A New Era for Football Media
The magazine’s approach was refreshingly different from existing sports coverage. Rather than focusing solely on match reports and league tables, Shoot! offered personality-driven content that humanised football stars. Players were no longer distant figures glimpsed only on match days—they became accessible personalities with stories worth telling.
This first issue set the editorial tone that would define Shoot! for years to come. The publication understood that football fans craved more than just statistics and results. They wanted insight into their heroes’ lives, training routines, and personalities.
The Lasting Impact
From that August day in 1969, Shoot! became an institution. Young football fans across Britain would eagerly await each new issue, hoping to find posters of their favourite players or exclusive interviews with rising stars. The magazine became a rite of passage for countless football supporters.
The success of Issue #1 proved that there was enormous appetite for high-quality football content. It paved the way for decades of memorable covers, iconic photo shoots, and journalism that captured the essence of the beautiful game.
Reliving Football History
Thanks to digital archives, modern football fans can now experience this piece of history firsthand. The complete first issue of Shoot! Magazine remains available online, offering a fascinating glimpse into how football media has evolved over the past five decades.
The magazine’s debut represents more than just publishing history—it captures a moment when football culture was transforming. The England team’s World Cup victory was still fresh in memory, and optimism about the future of English football ran high.
Share Your Shoot! Memories
For many readers, Shoot! Magazine holds special memories of childhood Saturday mornings, carefully cutting out player profiles, and dreaming of football stardom. Whether you collected every issue or simply remember the excitement of finding your favourite team featured, these memories form part of football’s cultural heritage.
The first issue of Shoot! Magazine stands as a testament to football’s power to inspire and unite. It marked the beginning of a publishing phenomenon that would entertain and inform football fans for generations.