By Ian Grant
Ten years on the web is like a century in print – such has been the speed of publishing technology changes.
Thanks to our readers – and your comments which have been gratefully received and have helped immensely.
Ninety five was the year of Bruce Rioch. Ten years ago this week we’d just bid for Stubbs and McAteer. We were also chasing Chris Coleman (as a player). But we’d just bought Dennis Bergkamp.
There weren’t any Arsenal news aggregation services. But there was Arseweb (thanks to Rupert Ward). Arsenal News Review (ANR) was a paper scan to web job, and thoroughly enjoyable to boot.
In 1998, after having a weekly column in the local paper for two years, ANR set up under a different domain. Later Myles Palmer joined and as you say, provides some of the best and most original football writing on the web.
A big difference in those early years was a camaraderie among Arsenal sites. It is good that the technology is readily available so those that want to can expound thoughts and ideas about the club they support. But as my co-writer says, it was unheard of for one station, for example the BBC to knock another, ITV.
We are currently working on a restructuring and redesign. Some people, including someone at Arsenal this week, said one reason why ANR is popular is because it doesn’t have any flashing banners and gizmos. Anyway we’ll see.
The current design/ structure was influenced by meeting someone heavily involved in setting up Google. Any comments on layout, structuring and technology ideas and writing for that matter, gratefully received. After all you are the ones that see and read it. We could very well use them.
I have enjoyed immensely writing about Arsenal over the last decade, and I’m sure I speak for Myles here too. Hope you’ve enjoyed ANR as much as us.
Our next big anniversary will be our 25th in 2020. I think, football, in general was in a healthier state in 1995.
Anyone like to hazard a guess what the Premiership, football or the web will be like fifteen years from now?
Thanks once again.