Andy's Sting In The Tale (20/03/26) "Ultras Shmultras"
- Andy Smith
- 56 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Episode 1 of the 3 part BBC Scotland ‘Ultras’ documentaries started this week.
Jordan, the programme’s director was articulate in the media ahead of it talking about how Ultras is an easy word to say but Ultras, the broad concept we all think we understand, is an informal but uncoordinated alliance of mostly younger fans and not a simple or simplistic blueprint of anything.
A church so broad it can’t be pigeon-holed.
that is apart from maybe where Ultras has become the new name, and convenient, collective cloak for the many already existing self-declared ‘elites’ within supporters groups. (Green Brigade, Union Bears would be examples but there are others).
For years many clubs have had supporters and supporters groups who were better than the average fan, saw themselves as the ‘real’ fans, and constantly want the world their clubs and opposing fans to know that and the lay of the land in their club.
The ‘Ultras’ moniker, an all-inclusive banner for the times allows that
So I probably agree with Jordan that ‘Ultras’ is a broad and now hackneyed collective noun for a cycle and occurrence that has happened before
He said his programmes ended open, and couldn’t come to a simple conclusion because that would essentially be a false summation, because life is never that simple.
So now football has a collective noun trying to describe the various and disparate rebellious ‘Young Turks’ following their own clubs in the way they feel suits them best and held together by a glue called social media that binds the diversities together.
But in my head I have a whole array of sometimes contradictory words buzzing round what it takes to be a fully-fledged ultra.
Friends, enemies, the heart, the bleeding heart, angry, rebellious, progressive, fitting in, identity, individualism, groups, loyalty, specialness, the best, the baddest, organised, planned, VIPs, stormtroopers, elite, unique, united, fearless, aggravational, uncaring, brave, distinct.
(And a whole lot more if I sat longer)
And just maybe it is the words that are missing that are the problem.
Not the angry rebellious words.
No.
The positive, looking forward, always optimistic words that would fit a description of our biggest Scottish fan group.
I’m referring to The Tartan Army.
For them I think of words like, respectful, humour-filled, laugh at yourself first, inclusive, caring, smiling, welcoming, raucous, together, friendly.
A few of you have written to me about my small role in the BBC series we’re talking about.
It will succeed if it starts a real debate.
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts.
The series was filmed nearly 10 months ago and I had no insight to any of the other elements of the programme, just a seat in a bar in an Edinburgh army base answering a few quite difficult questions.
Trying to answer them honestly too as they were asked.
No pre prep.
No spin doctors briefing me on the 3 words to say.
I was still a baldy then too after my wee squabble with the nuclear bomb that is Melphalan and my wonderful subsequent present from an unknown German 23 year old who I’ll never meet.
Anyway, as it happens and by coincidence the release of Ultras coincided with the nonsense at Ibrox two weeks ago.
It is far too easy when shit like that happens to conflate all the badness together and classify Ultras as the problem.
I think that will be a wrong turning in a very thorny maze.
The problem isn’t youngsters want ing to be Ultras.
The issues in Glasgow happen because the Clubs don’t do enough to stop them and Football isn’t and hasn’t been pro-active enough to demonise the ugliness of its differentiating strengths.
Maybe it’s commercial?
That wasn’t Ultras on the pitch or storming the turnstiles.
It was open hostility by two tribes for a myriad of reasons, but mostly “because they could”.
Separated in World Religion Terms by a proverbial ‘Bawhair’.
It was a lack of respect for the game.
A lack of respect for themselves as humans.
A lack of respect for the opposition.
A lack of respect for everything.
An inherent and deeply misplaced feeling of superiority and entitlement.
And a deep differentiation of the two tribes by the two tribes for the commercial returns it can bring.
Looking Ahead
Two ideas that won’t go away from my head.
Two things that would be good for the game and the country.
I said last week it was long overdue that Scottish Football had its own version of Uefa’s ‘Strict Liability’.
Where clubs are responsible for fan behaviours and outcomes.
I’d add that there should be a ‘Fan Charter’ about what fans at any ground can expect.
Written by all fans for all fans.
It can all start with ‘Baby Steps’.
But in time both would be backed by financial teeth to hurt clubs when their fans don’t respect that we’re all in this together.
And if all fines paid go into youth football then at least these clouds and all the bollocks we’ve endured can have a silver lining.
This Week’s Sting
1. 83 Days
2. 8 Games
3. 16 Years 72 Days
1. A World in Chaos
My family have come home from the Middle East because of the uncertainties.
Uncertainties that are now a fact of life and very real and increasing hurdle in real life as well as in football.
The USA Host under King Donald has long threatened it’s two co-hosts, is at war with one of its World Cup qualifying nations, has invaded another member, stolen its President and is blockading another FIFA member’s coast to starve the energy all over the island.
And Israel got a token fine this week by FIFA for the carnage in the West Bank, a proverbial slap on the wrist because their big pal is Jahnnie’s bestie.
King Donald is facing troubles on all fronts, abroad as well as at home where the carnage he ripped through his various infrastructures mean the systems aren’t working and the World Cup might hit a few bumps.
But fear not Tartan Army, Jahnnie has his back on all things football so all is well.
USA will host the party.
And meantime, the world has stopped talking about the Epstein Files and whether the President had a bit or major part.
2. And All Three Own Their Own Destiny.
Just 8 games and a real 3 way fight with twists and turns aplenty in the best league for years.
Poor football and our Uefa coefficient might be in freefall but our Premiership will not be resolved soon and no team is yet having to rely on anyone else for favours.
And the SWPL is going to get tighter and tighter too and great to watch on Alba.
Glasgow City lead the pack but any of the top 4 can’t be ruled out.
3. Not 17 Till Next Hogmanay
Have a look at Max Dowman’s goal for Arsenal against Everton.
What are Arsenal doing that can’t be replicated in Scotland.
I hope he has a Scottish Granny.
Andy’s Sting Blog
Just a wee weekly blog about stuff by someone who wants football to be in a better place.
Opinions are always mine and mine alone.
The Scottish Union Fans Group is all about giving fans a loud voice and working collaboratively to bring results.
We need you.
And as always feel free to write to me about anything in football or beyond.
Andy’s Album of the Week
Cara Dillon : Coming Home
My first interaction with the Dillons from was when the Irish band Deanta performed in Glasgow and sang The Lakes of Pontchartrain at the first ever Celtic Connections.
Their lead singer was a Mary Dillon and had a beguiling voice.
Then it clicked that the youngster, Cara Dillon, singing like an angel on Mike Oldfield’s ‘Man the Rain’ was her younger sister.
Cara has a wonderful voice and her albums have been good and I love them but deep down I’ve known her voice and talent has always been capable of more.
This is not an album of songs, by Cara and her husband Seth Lakeman, and a few sympathetic musicians including Duncan Chisolm from Inverness.
More like an intimate hour with an artist talking about herself and background.
An intimate performance.
A stripped down set, bewitching and hypnotic.
A brave footpath for a wonderful talent and perfect on a sunny Morningside Friday afternoon.
Cara’s storytelling and tapestry has brought back strong memories that I never had in the first place and I’m smiling out loud inside.