REBECCA BAIRD: I asked fans at Dundee derby which team I should support – here’s what I learned

“Select United if you want to succeed.”

When I get at the derby on Monday night, Dundee woman Evie McMahon gives me this direct advise.

Even though I’ve lived in Dundee for almost ten years and spent most of that time living across the street from the stadiums, this is my first visit to Dens Park.

Please understand that I have also never visited Tannadice for a game.

Actually, I had never even watched either team play on television until 2024.

Simply said, football doesn’t play a significant role in my life—or any role at all.

But Dundee life revolves on football. On match days, the city comes to life in a way that I must confess is really lovely.

And since I’ve lived here for a third of my life (and almost all of my adult life), I guess I’d better join the program and finally take a stand.

When I witnessed my first Dundee derby in a pub last year, I was taken aback and thrilled by the friendly banter and camaraderie amongst opposing supporters.

It was really different from the Old Firm country where I grew up.

I then advanced to watch a Dundee FC vs. Dundee United game this week in

My assignment? Before the game, speak with supporters of both teams to learn more about what makes Dundee derby days so unique.

I couldn’t be made to feel more welcome, even though I’m completely out of my element.

It turns out that I’m too preoccupied to watch much of the game itself.

However, I do use the time to conduct some independent research.

“I’ve been in Dundee for ten years and never picked a side,” is the question I pose to each interviewee. Why ought I to select yours?

And I have a lot to consider after reading the answers.

If I want to choose success, Evie’s advise to pick United is a good one. Interestingly, this is said before to their defeat.

It appears to be a simple decision in that regard. Yes, I enjoy winning.

Bruce Low, another Tangerine Army member, tells me, echoing Evie, “United is the biggest club in the city, and the best!”

Later, I Googled “which is the biggest Dundee football club,” which led me down a rabbit hole of statistical details that would permanently disinterest me in the game.

It appears that Dundee was larger before United expanded, and now there is a popular belief that United may be marginally larger. Perhaps. I became disinterested.

In any case, I have never given much thought to what is popular.

According to Shania Twain, “that don’t impress me much” when it comes to a “bigger” club.

Stuart Batchelor, a Dundee supporter, tries to convince me that Dundee is “the oldest team in the city,” but I just can’t bring myself to care.

Unless you’re referring to cheese or whisky, older doesn’t necessarily indicate better.

Stuart regains my interest, though, when he notes that Dundee is the team “on the up.”

According to him, “United is exciting in a rollercoaster kind of way, up and down.”

“We’ve been progressively strengthening and establishing the groundwork for a bright future.”

This is the ideal justification for courting a millennial lady who is approaching thirty years old. The rollercoaster is becoming old to me.

I want some consistency if I’m going to dedicate myself to a team.

However, Paul Cosgrove, another interviewee, tells me that United is the team “with style and flair.”

Now, this is something I can support. I enjoy a little flair, a dash of pizzazz, and daring fashion choices.

The crowd’s overall arrogance is quite alluring, and I do like the United uniform’s eye-watering tangerine because of its boldness.

However, I then had a conversation with Paul, a Dundee supporter, who is a really attractive man.

According to him, Dundee has persevered through difficult financial times and “always comes back fighting.”

And Granddad wearing a flat cap I am given the explanation by George Dorward that “quality football comes down the Dundee side.”

A resilient underdog always appeals to me. This is not a simple decision.

John Wade, the program vendor, is the one who ultimately decides what I want to do.

He asks himself, “Why should you be a Dundee fan?” “Well, because you will enjoy being one.” They are the most amiable kind of people.

I can’t dispute that. Everyone has been incredibly nice all night.

However, I feel the warmest when I’m in the Dark Blues stand, even with the orange flame on the other side.

Didn’t they go and win after that? It feels like destiny. In addition, I already own a ton of blue clothing.

So, I’ve made up my mind. I’m a girl from Dundee.

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