All At Sea was founded in 2004 by Jamie Forsyth, Andrew Roach and James Falkingham, the surviving editorial team from the Pier Pressure fanzine that appeared briefly in 1999/2000.
The new print fanzine arrived at a time when online football content was booming, but the editorial team believed that there was still a place for quality, long-form writing.
The editorial team have always believed that the fanzine should not make money, and that no fan should be priced out. The cover price of the first issue in August 2024 was £1, and it remains £1 today, largely thanks to incredible support by Scott and Lisa Driscoll at CDT Associates, and various sponsors and advertisers.
Many authors that put pen to paper for AAS in their fledgling writing days have gone on to have successful careers in journalism, and we have watched their careers with interest.
As Southend United faced its darkest days in early 2023, the fanzine played a vital role in mobilising the supporter base simply by attending a winding up hearing in London. The club was a regular before the winders court, and no media chose to attend. However, it was due to the attendance of co-editor Liam Ager that the fanzine was able to report that the judge, after adjourning the hearing, marked the next appearance as final – causing supporters to realise how close their club was to death. The co-ordinated pressure from a united fan base in the coming months saw Ron Martin finally start the process of selling the club, and that pressure was needed all the way until a sale was finally complete in July 2024.
These actions were pivotal in All At Sea being nominated for a Football Content Award in 2023, and on a shortlist of six for Fanzine of the Year at the prestigious Football Supporters Association awards in December 2024, alongside the likes of City Gent (Bradford City), The Square Ball (Leeds), and United We Stand (Man Utd).
The editors
Jamie Forsyth
Jamie Forsyth was born in Rochford in January 1982. Initially rebelling against his dad and his younger brother’s love for football, the World Cup in Italy 1990 caused him to fall into line and, despite some early stumblings (some photos still exist of him in a Spurs kit), he attended his first Southend United game in April 1992, where a sit-in protest against then-chairman Vic Jobson certainly have him a taste of things to come.
He currently lives in Witham, uncomfortably close to Colchester, with his wife and two young children. He is trying manfully to indoctrinate both into the Shrimpers cause, although the attendance of his daughter at last year’s appalling 0-0 draw against Woking may have set him back several years.
Jai, as he is known to his friends, is a former Echo journalist and currently works for Anglia Ruskin University. His favourite all-time Southend United player is Adam Barrett, and his greatest supporting moment was the 2004/05 League Two play-off final.
Want to contribute?
We’re looking for 150-200 words on any Shrimpers-related topic. See deadlines below for future issues and email us at allatseafanzine@hotmail.com for any queries:
| Submission deadline | Release Date |
| Sunday 8th of Dec | 14/12/24(Hartlepool) |
| Sunday 2nd Feb | 01/02/25 (Fylde) |
| Sunday 6th of Apr | 12/04/25 (Solihull) |
Other associated websites:
Shrimperzone – www.shrimperzone.com