One Day

Brian Taylor

Its not just me, you know. I once attended a rugby international at Murrayfield in the company, among others, of a political grandee. Said grandee warned in advance that he intended to behave like an extra from Braveheart for the duration of the contest.

He was as good as his word. We were treated to eighty minutes of alternating exhortation and invective. At the final whistle, the grandee returned instantly to elegant gentility.

Ditto me at Murrayfield and, even more so, at Hampden. But, to witness Taylor in full flood, you really have to go to Tannadice. Which, of course, is a treat for any right-thinking person. For I am an Arab. That is, a fanatical supporter of Dundee United Football Club.

Its a family thing, twice over. I first supported United partly as an act of juvenile rebellion. My family in Dundee uncles, grandfather in particular tended towards a team which I will not mention. But they play in Dark Blue at a stadium rather close to the Elysian fields of Tannadice.

Admittedly, my own father had displayed emergent Arab tendencies. But still in the early 60s in Dundee it was an act of foolhardy courage to follow United.

The other lot, you see, seemed so much better.

Things, of course, have rather changed since. Which brings me to the second family element and a rather special day.

My two sons are also both Arabs. I suppose paternal influence played its part but I like to think that, quite independently, they simply decided it was right to follow the finest football team in the known universe.

My wife indulges us. Her own family background, also in Dundee, featured distinct Dark Blue tinges which made for a fascinating early encounter when her charming father asked me, as a potential suitor, the big question: So which team do you support? He voiced good-humoured sympathy at the answer.

Theres no vitriol in the Dundonian football division, you see. From time to time, we Arabs will suggest in song that there is truly only one team in Dundee. But we dont mean it to hurt. Its simply a reflection of effortless superiority.

By good fortune, such a characteristic was also on display during a recent family visit to Tannadice. Customarily, as season ticket holders, the lads and I inhabit the George Fox stand, enjoying the pies and banter both. ... (continues)