Claire Warwick and John Boocock discuss the origins and history of the Unofficial Leeds United Email List and football supporters in Cyberspace. The ‘Leeds List’ claims to be the oldest surviving football supporters’ email list in the UK.

Starting life on Internet Relay Chat in the early 1990s, the 'List' parallels the democratisation and development (or otherwise) of the internet. Claire and John will tell the tale of a community of football supporters coming together using the internet over three decades. Initially mainly inhabited by techies and academics, the ‘List’ soon became the on-line home to Leeds United Supporters from all walks of life, spread right across the World. 

Claire and John will also compare the 'List' to the emergence of other social networks and point out some rather striking cultural differences.

Part of Voice of the Fans, an exhibition co-produced by the British Library and Leeds Libraries, which explores over 60 years of fan-made media from their collections that has defined the beautiful game. At Leeds Central Library from 9 May to 10 August, with a smaller display touring to Leeds branch libraries throughout autumn/winter 2025.