Layth Yousif Gooner Fanzine editor 
Highbury Spy Forever: Getcha Gooner Tribute Issue To The Late Steve Ashford
Getcha Gooner: Our new print edition honours the much-loved and much-missed Highbury Spy
Steve Ashford tribute writers:
Kevin Whitcher, Charlie Ashmore, Rich Howes, Mike Slaughter aka Mickey Cannon, Mike Francis, Steve Pye aka That 1980s Sports Blog, David Fensome, Henry Waddon, Tia Thorne, Mike McDonald, Simon Rose, Tommi Peuhkurinen, Marc Ollington, Annabel Rackham, Alistair Coleman, Adam Velasco
Creatives: Sergio Braga-Mullin, Ruth Beck, Mark Butler
Order your copy here
Paying tribute to Steve Ashford, AKA Highbury Spy ?? Getcha Gooner: Issue 314 out now ? pic.twitter.com/u20il0ZsDe
— The Gooner (@GoonerFanzine) December 22, 2025
This has undoubtedly been the hardest issue of the Gooner Fanzine to produce under my editorship over the last five years.
Losing Steve Ashford was a massive blow to everyone who knew him, or had simply read his work in these pages over the last thirty years and more.
First and foremost, I would like to offer sincere condolences to his family and close friends for their sad loss, on behalf of everyone associated with the Gooner Fanzine.
It was an honour to represent all associated with the Gooner at the Highbury Spy’s wake down in deepest Sussex on a dark and wet Monday evening in November.
Yet, what was so memorable about the night was the love, warmth and affection that shone through from those who knew, and who loved, the force of nature that was Steve. I was fortunate enough to know The Spy through my connection with the Gooner, but it was wonderful – if that’s the right word – to hear so many heartwarming, and funny stories about the great man, from his close friends and family who had the privilege of knowing him far better than I ever did.
To hear such genuinely touching, as well as truly amusing tales about such a big character who touched so many people throughout a life well-lived, was so uplifting.
Which is why we’ve tried to make this issue a celebration as much as a tribute to Steve. If it replicates a mere fraction of the sense of warmth generated by those who attended his wake, then I think everyone who contributed to this edition has done their job.
There are too many people to highlight here, but I have to say a massive thank you to all Steve’s family and friends who kindly welcomed me at the wake.
I also have to say thank you to fellow wake attendees, former Gooner editor Kevin Whitcher, as well as the founder and original editor of our humble labour of love, Mike Francis, for penning such heartfelt pieces honouring Steve in these pages. Thanks also to Mike Slaughter (Mickey Cannon) for coming out of retirement to pen a tribute to his late Gooner colleague and friend.
Thanks also to our two main columnists Charlie Ashmore, and Rich Howes for their contributions too. Along with everyone else in these pages that Steve graced with his wit and wisdom, not to mention truly thundering polemics over the decades that made his writing the first pages you turned to in the Gooner, whether you agreed with him or not, I thank you.
What will Steve’s legacy be? Judging by all the people who made a beeline to speak with me while out flogging the Gooner Fanzine to share their condolences since his sad death, Steve left a lasting impact on all our readers across the last 30 years.
The British Library requests a copy of every single Gooner Fanzine that is ever published. Which means Steve’s writing – and legacy - will live on as long as the British Library lives on.
RIP Steve. We all miss you mate.
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Our Steve Ashford tribute issue 314 will be on sale at Arsenal vs Aston Villa on Tuesday, December 30.
Or order it here:
