An Arab Spring…
Nestled within the rich football culture of Scotland lies Dundee United Football Club, a storied institution steeped in tradition. Founded in 1909, this proud club has etched its name into the books of Scottish football history with its passion and dedicated fanbase.
Dundee United calls Tannadice Park its home. Situated in the heart of Dundee, this stadium pulsates with the energy of loyal supporters, creating an atmosphere that is both electric and unmistakably Dundonian.
But it’s not just the players on the pitch or the raw emotion of the crowd that defines Dundee United; it’s the unwavering allegiance of its fans, affectionately known as the Arabs.
As Dundee United continues to carve its path through the highs and lows of Scottish football, one thing remains constant—the unwavering support of the Arabs, standing proudly behind their beloved club through every triumph and tribulation.
Arab Spring | DUFC 2018-20 is a photo documentary by Kenny Farquharson on his fellow Dundee United fans and match days at Tannadice Park, between 2018 and 2020. The limited edition A5 zine contains 40 black and white photographs across 44 pages.
During the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons Dundee United narrowly missed out on promotion to the Scottish Premier League, loosing the playoff final on penalties, before securing promotion the following season as champions.
A lifelong Dundee United fan, Kenny Farquharson kept the focus on his fellow Arabs, capturing their match day rituals which he likens to that of religious devotees.
Arab Spring | Kenny Farquharson
A photo documentary by Kenny Farquharson on his fellow Dundee United fans and match days at Tannadice Park during 2018 and 2020.
A limited edition A5 zine containing 40 black and white photographs across 44 pages.
Following a club is like a religion for the avid fan, and that is exactly what Kenny Farquharson experienced when he rediscovered his love affair with all things Dundee United.
Armed with an unobtrusive camera, he focused on the faces in the Tannadice crowd as he, and fellow fans, went through two tumultuous seasons, between 2018 and 2020.
The first of those they missed out on promotion back into the Scottish Premiership, losing their play-off on penalties, but when Covid brought a premature end to the following season, they were already 14 points clear at the top of the table and up they went.
They had previously missed out so many times that as one fan quipped, if there was a Cup for coming second, United would finish runners up.
Farquharson regarded himself as a lapsed fan, visiting only occasionally, until circumstances changed and he became a season ticket regular.
“Home is where the heart is, especially when you are a football fan,” he said. “A home fixture has an almost religious significance. Match day is a holy day of obligation. Or sometimes a sorrowful mystery.”
A favourite picture, he says, is of the fan standing with his back to camera at a small ticket hatch.
“In isolation you might not know it was taken at a football ground. You might not know what was going on at all. It makes me think of a Catholic confessional: “Bless me father for I have sinned..”
It was the faces of follow Terrors in the crowd around him that provided all the inspiration he needed.
“The kids, eyes shining with excitement,” he says. “The old men, stoics from Ancient Greece. Tough guys being tender. Teenage boys experimenting with swagger. The fellowship. The easy familiarity.
“I felt the contentment of being where I belonged. It felt nourishing. It felt good for the soul. I admit at times the football was almost incidental. This was about reconnecting with the city of my birth, the place that shaped me.
“Admittedly that shaping process was more panel-beating than sculpture, but that is neither here nor there.”
Legend goes that Dundee United came by their Arab nickname when, thawing a frozen pitch in the 60s, a hastily borrowed road repair tar burner proved so effective it burnt off all the grass. The match went ahead, played predominantly on a surface of sand.
“They took to it like Arabs,” a match report went.
Farquharson took to his own return, his regular pilgrimage providing an insight into life on the Tannadice terraces.
“The game has its own feast days, its own colour and spectacle, its own rituals, its own communitarianism,” he said. “Sitting in the crowd, part of the pleasure is having your emotions hit highs and lows in unison with 10,000 others. An adrenaline choir.
“These are my fellow Dundee United fans. Thanks to them, match day feels like coming home.”
Regaining their place in the top tier of Scottish football felt like United’s own Arab Spring to Farquharson but the rebirth was short lived and promotion is again the target.
“Veteran fans have been here before,” he sums up. “Familiar hurdles lie ahead.”
“It is much too early to give in to hope.”
In the 2023-24 season, Dundee United embarked on a resolute quest to reclaim their position among Scotland’s footballing elite. Despite facing formidable adversaries in the Scottish Championship, the team displayed unwavering determination and skill under the astute leadership of their coaching staff led by Jim Goodwin.
As the season progressed, Dundee United’s dominance became increasingly evident. They orchestrated a string of impressive victories, captivating fans with their electrifying performances.
With each triumphant moment, the anticipation swelled among the loyal Arabs faithful. And as the campaign reached its crescendo, Dundee United delivered a crowning achievement—their clinching of the Scottish Championship title. It was a moment of unbridled jubilation as the players, coaches, and supporters alike celebrated the club’s return to the Scottish Premier League.
This promotion was not merely a reflection of Dundee United’s prowess on the pitch, but a testament to their resilience and unity as a team.
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