On 1st March 2005, an eclectic mix of people, ranging from footy fans to fashion fanatics descended upon London’s West End for the Emap Fanzine Awards.

Over 120 people arrived at the trendy Quod bar in Piccadilly to celebrate their success and network with like-minded, talented people.

Quod’s private red and white rooms, usually dedicated to young British artists, were transformed into a shrine to the UK’s best fanzines. The walls were alight with rotating images of the nomination’s covers, a chance to showcase the awesome talent of the creators.

“Wicked! My fanzine, Polish, keeps flashing up on screens and I love the dangling effect of the fanzine covers in the windows.” Said an excited Gemma Cartwright, who went on to bag runner-up in the Webzine and Lifestyle categories.

The intimate surroundings ensured a good vibe and friendly atmosphere.

Stewart Smith, who one Best Music fanzine for Beard said: “It was a relaxed environment which meant I felt comfortable socialising with anyone from the CEO of Emap to fellow enthusiasts.”

Braving the snow and cold, people travelled from cities as far as Glasgow and Newcastle for the night.

“It was more than worth it. I came away with a prestigious award, a cheque for £1000 and some good contacts. Oh, and an horrendous hangover!” Said Robert Nichols from Middlesboro FC, FMTTM (Fly me to the Moon).

The awards were a culmination of months spent seeking out the most outstanding fanzines - trawling record and art shops, attending underground parties and spending numerous weekends hanging around football matches in search of the finest fanzines.

There were eight awards given out on the night, Best Music fanzine, Best Sports Fanzine, Best Fashion fanzine, Best Lifestyle fanzine, Best Student Publication, Best Webzine, Best Fanzine/Student Writer, and the coveted Best Overall Fanzine 2005.

The winners each received £500. The runners-up got £250.

Celebrating in typical award-winning style, winner of the Best Writer category Nick Tebbutt attempted to down a whole bottle of champagne. He said: “I’ve always wanted to do that. It’s not often one gets £500 and recognition from a large media company.”

To present the awards was fanzine success story, Steve Lamacq, a music journalist, most famous for his Evening Session on Radio One.

He said: “I feel privileged to be surrounded by so much talent and, having once been in your position, can understand the difficulties of producing a fanzine. I know many of you will go on to do great things.”

Editor-in-Chief of Emap Consumer media and chairman of judges, Barry McIlheney, hosted the awards ceremony. He described the awards as “a key part of Emap’s search for, and celebration of, great new editorial talent – part of our endless quest to find people who are as mad about magazines as we are!”

David Lloyd from football fanzine, There’s only one F in Fulham approved: “I think it’s great Emap are recognising talent outside of mainstream media.”

As the runners-up and winners were announced from each category gasps of surprise and excitement could be heard amongst the crowds.

Winner of the Lifestyle category for her first issue of Karen, Karen Lubbock said: “I was gob smacked, I still am. It is so good to finally get some recognition and positive feedback on my work.”

Nathan Batchelor was equally surprised: “We never expected to get short-listed and it came as a very pleasant shock to be announced runners-up for Popular Stand in the sports category.”

During the presentation it was clear to see the atmosphere was intense.

“Up against my friends who also graduated from Central St Martins, I knew the competition in the fashion category was tough. Consequently I was thrilled to receive an award for Lap in the face of such great talent.” Said Sarah Thorne, who won the award for Best Fashion fanzine.

Others had a more competitive stance: “Finally we get one up on Isis, the Oxford student magazine, who beat us in the Guardian Student Media Awards.” Said a triumphant James Anthony, winner of the Best Student publication for Quench.

Winners were congratulated on stage and presented with an award from Steve Lamacq. “A quality presenter. He is highly respected in the world of music fanzines.” Said Daniel Morris, whose fanzine Satan’s Fish Tank went one better than last year, and acquired the award for runner-up in the music category.

Unfortunately, the only winner who didn’t make it up on stage was Craig Robinson, whose website flipflopflyin.com was awarded Best Webzine. However, he did send us a version of himself in Pixel form, as a Mini Pop, an illustration his website is famous for.

The presentation ended with the announcement of Emap’s overall fanzine of the year, whose prize included a further £500 and an Adobe Creative Suite.

Barry McIlheney said: “All of our judges came together for this one and agreed it was a difficult decision in the face of such a formidable shortlist. But after a long period of intense deliberation they agreed on an overall winner.”

Still basking in the glory of being awarded Best Sports Fanzine, Robert Nichols came up on stage to accept the ultimate award for his Middlesboro football fanzine, FMTTM.

He said: “I’m extremely chuffed. I can’t wait to put ‘Fanzine of the Year’ on my next issue.”

Robert has already had press interest from the Evening Gazette, BBC Radio and The Independent.

As advised by Barry at the end of the presentation, everyone made the most of the free food and drink the rest of the evening.

Mark Stainford, editor of Everton FC fanzine, Speke From The Harbour, said: “The evening was fantastic, the only minor disappointment was not getting in the top two. But hey, I’m fairly sure that we drank around £500’s worth of alcohol.”

As the alcohol flowed, so did the conversation and many people acted on the opportunity to mingle…

James from the student magazine, Meat, said: “It is great to finally be able to put a face to a name and a personality to a publication I’ve read.”

Jaimie, Editor of Smiths Magazine agrees: “I contribute to one of the websites that got nominated, ukhh.com, so was desperate to meet them at the party.”

The judges were also keen to meet the talent behind the publications they had nominated.

Richard Galpin, Associate Editor of Arena, who judged the Student category, said: “I need to talk to the guy from Quench, please find him!”

In response, the Editor of Quench said: “I eventually want to work at a magazine so it was a great opportunity to talk to Richard in an informal environment.”

Simon Caney, Editor of Match, judged the Sports category. He said: “I made some good contacts during the evening.”

On winning £250 and a paid internship at Emap Loay Hady, who came runner-up in the Writer category, said: “It is my dream to be paid to write about films so I’m really looking forward to my internship at Empire.”

It wasn’t just networking going on. Nick from Meat magazine and Jess from Leeds Student got a bit more physical in the corner…

As the night ended some struggled to make the last train home and others ended up attempting to dance to Indie music at a nearby club – no names mentioned.

Darren Cullen, from Spellingmistakescostlives.com, ended the night in style. He said: “What a fine evening. I ended up passing out with my head in a fountain on the way home.”