The Ultras are a group of football fans known for their extreme support. The term originated in Italy in the 1930s but is used around the world to describe organized football fans.
Behavioral tendencies of ultra groups include singing, playing musical instruments such as drums, their use of flares and smoke bombs (especially in nothing choreography), vocal support for big teams and the display of flags and banners in football stadiums, all designed to create an atmosphere that inspires their team and intimidates opposing players and their supporters.
Among the most famous teams in the world are the likes of ‘Südtribüne’ of Borussia Dortmund, ‘Tous PSG’ of Paris Saint-Germain, and ‘ultrAslan’ of Galatasary. But while activism, often politically, socially, or even religiously motivated, has grown in regions such as Eastern Europe and South America, its popularity in the United Kingdom remains low.
But as the culture grows in the UK, we’ve made it to the top ten, ranked by how passionate the team is, the creativity of their pre-match tifos and choreography and the size of their support.
10
Arsenal – Ashburton Army
Established: 2022
One of the rewards of success in football is a better mood. This is well demonstrated right now by Arsenal, who, under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, are looking to return to their glory days.
The Spaniard has made a comeback, and his fans have formed a team to help the club move forward as they look to reclaim their top spot at Highbury.
Formed in late 2022, the ‘Ashburton Army’ was created with the sole purpose of bridging the gap between the club and its fans, with massive, vocal support and passion being the backbone of an organization designed to replicate the matchday experience of their former home ground, Highbury.
Encouraged by the German club, the ‘Ashburton Army’ can be seen by all fans in their black outfits – while the club have given them a designated stand at the Emirates Stadium to ensure the displays are available.
Being one of only two top teams in the Premier League, rival fans often mock the club’s state-of-the-art tactics, treating them as fake fanfare. But while the UK struggles to recapture the occasional glimmer of terrace culture from the pre-commercial and pre-Hillsborough eras, Ashburton’s Army is a refreshing change from the consistent excesses of the rest of the Premier League.
9
Clapton – The scaffold
Established: 2012
As Ultra culture is relatively new in the UK, it brings a diverse and unique mix of styles and motivations. As well as this, it means that there is a 10 to 1 tension in terms of what the fanbase looks like.
Clapton may be playing his shows in an arena that can only hold 2,000 spectators, but what they lack in club size and amenities, they more than make up for in passion.
Aptly named ‘The Scaffold’ after the stadium’s terrace in east London, the club’s giants have helped supporters at the Terence McMillan Stadium to quintuple in recent years, while campaigning against modern football, racism and sexism.
Clapton’s ultras have been instrumental in helping the local community, with regular projects partnering with east London food banks, while banners and displays of peace and love symbolize what the club is all about.
8
Eastbourne Town – Pier Pressure Ultras
Established: 2017
Eastbourne Town is another non-league club whose senior team provides an insight into the virtues of left-leaning support.
On the face of it, their home is just another run, not a league. However, every other weekend, it is brought to life with an array of flares, banners and chants.
Faced with all this chaos, the Pier Pressure Ultras (also aptly named because of the club’s location in a small, seaside town) were originally a group of locals who felt frustrated by the high ticket prices. However, since then they have become more numerous.
They raise money for various charities and food banks, as well as promoting diversity and inclusion. They are also very helpful when it comes to helping the club. Over the years, they have helped design the game day schedule, maintain the website and run the team’s social media accounts – all on a voluntary basis.
7
Spartans FC – North Ultras
Built: Unknown
What makes this lot special is that they are still very young. Spartans FC youth workers have created a special program that looks set to take youth off the streets and put them in the limelight as the club’s most dedicated and loudest fans.
Competing in the fourth tier of Scottish football, and located in one of the capital’s most deprived communities, Spartans FC have formed their own set of Ultras made up of local youth who sometimes find themselves involved in anti-social behaviour.
North Ultras meet weekly on Friday afternoons to prepare for matches and are taught how to budget and organize matchday displays – all while serving food and drink to attendees.
Their creativity is encouraged through songwriting and merchandising, and members are even encouraged to police themselves during matches to avoid any potential trouble and be respectful as they make pre-match marches towards Ainslie Park.
The group, mainly made up of young and underprivileged, showed enthusiasm to be included in the revolutionary educational system called ‘School of God’.
6
St Mirren – Northbank Aggro
Established: 2016
One of the oldest stadiums in Scottish football, Northbank Aggro existed even before the Saints moved to an all-seater stadium in the 1990s. They met on the North Bank of the old Love Street ground and kept the name after moving to the new ground in Paisley.
Organized club St Mirren are the first of many major Scottish clubs to make the list, proving that football north of the England/Scotland border is undeniably popular. Although nowhere near the size of other football clubs in the country, their small section of singing and dancing fans makes the Saints sound noticeably bigger and more aggressive than fans from afar would expect.
The team does not rely on pyro, flag displays, or tifos as a means of creating atmosphere. Instead, of anyone on this list, they most closely resemble terrace culture in the UK. While others look across Europe for ideas, St Mirren fans continue to choose tradition.
5
Motherwell – Motherwell Bois
Established: 2016
Established in 2016 and located on the right hand side of the John Hunter stand, opposite the main stand at Firk Park, this loud group does it all with their colorful and vocal support at home and away. Former Fir Park school player and product Dean Cornelius was one of the ‘Bois’, and the section is best known for their take on The Beatles’ ‘Twist and Shout’.
Using the ‘Well In’ scheme, Motherwell Bois stand by the principle that football is for everyone by offering a free season ticket to unemployed supporters. This combination gives the ultras a welcoming touch, both men and women, old and young, who share the music in fields up and down Scotland.
4
Crystal Palace – Holmesdale Fanatics
Established: 2005
In England, no fan base better emulates the Eastern European style of support than Crystal Palace. With their pyro, tifos, and incessant chanting – backed by a drum – ‘Holmesdale Fanatics’ have built a reputation as one of the strongest supporters in the country, while Selhurst Park has become a formidable fortress for any opposition.
Like Arsenal’s ‘Ashburton Army’, they also have their own section at their home ground and wear black. But it’s safe to say that the spectacle of seeing Crystal Palace fans in full voice is far better than seeing Arsenal’s.
The ‘Holmesdale Fanatics’ have more members, are more innovative about their sport, and have gone outside the supporter grounds with passion to advocate for change on important sporting issues, using their divisive nature and club affiliation to use football as a political vehicle.
With their protest against ticket prices and the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United, the ultras at Crystal Palace proved that politics has a place on the pitch and that it must not lead to violence.
Holmesdale Fanatics have also paid tribute to local heroes through choreographic displays, and their strong ties to the community in Selhurst Park and neighboring South London areas have been testament to the club’s success since its inception in 2005.
3
Aberdeen – Red Ultras
Established: 1999
Established in 1999, the Red Ultras of Aberdeen have brought color and excitement to Pittodrie. They lasted ten years before disappearing following a falling out with the club – but a new version of the club can be seen in the center of the Richard Donald Stand’s top tier.
This section has been renamed ‘The Red Shed’, and with the home fans also sitting on the opposite side of the ultras, the two shared songs in ninety minutes of football fever.
The Red Ultras work closely with the club to improve the atmosphere, both at home and away. It is this connection between the club and the fans that serves as a catalyst for other clubs to do the same.
2
Rangers – Union Bears
Established: 2007
Pro-royalism is part of the Rangers team. But there is much more ‘Union Bears’ than meets the eye. Since its formation in the summer of 2007, the club has provided unwavering support to its team, acting as the voice of the fans when things go wrong on and off the pitch.
But with political and religious views different from the rest of the country, the Glaswegian giants can often find themselves embroiled in violence with rival fans and the police. Compared to the rest of the list, the top two entries aren’t exactly the best examples of how organized football fans can be a welcome addition to more football clubs in the UK.
Rangers and Celtic are still struggling because of violence in front of stadiums that accommodate all people, and violence that eats away at people, especially in the Old Firm Derby. However, when done right, match days at Ibrox are one of the best around.
1
Celtic – The Green Brigade
Established: 2006
There is hardly any surprise among anyone about who takes the top spot. Formed in 2006 and located on the north side of Celtic Park, the ‘Green Brigade’ is the loudest, largest and most powerful supporters group in the UK.
Known for terrorizing European nights and its bloody rivalry with cross-town rivals Rangers, the Celtic side have been responsible for some of the most exciting displays in football fan history.
But with their religious and political motivations, the positives of fanatical support did not come without the negatives of controversy. Violence at the Old Firm Derby is the norm, while Remembrance Day protests and the display of pro-IRA banners have paved the way for the ‘Green Brigade’ to become the marmite team in Scottish football.
