Just been on the phone with Arabian Ian

He's hoping to be back down here at the end of month, in order to attend the home game with Birmingham City. Once Dundee United have made arrangements for the Scottish Cup 4th Round tie at home against Kilmarnock (it has to be played either on Friday 29th November, or Sunday 1st December due to Dundee's home game versus Raith being played on the Saturday), he'll be stopping over either Friday or Saturday night.
The more I get to know Ian, the more I like & respect him.

 

Actually

No.

 

Dundee United's nickname is the Arabs so his moniker is much the same as anyone using Tyke on here

 

Something like this?

Ian about to take his seat at Tannadice.
<img src ="http://i4.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article1242343.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Dundee+United+football+fan+dressed+as+a+arab">

 

Re: Something like this?

Love blokes. Sorry, I mean I love blokes who go out of their way like that to follow a second team or whatever. Big respect to him. Following two **** clubs. I follow three, though. I win.

No, seriously, you have to respect that. I'll be at Turf Moor (hopefully) next month with LDRed, another one who goes the extra mile or 200 to watch a **** team.

Barmy, the lot of us.

 

Let's be reight, he's a bit mental. Coming all this way to watch us!? If he was travelling this far to watch Man Utd or Liverpool I could understand it, but us? We're not even his favourite team, we're his second team. He seems like a really nice bloke, but he's definitely a bit loonyfied.

 

Re: Something like this?

United have put together a very decent, talented, young team, mate.
I've stopped trying to apply logic & reason as to why I love my club. They cause more heartache & disappointment than anything else, but I still turn up hoping for something better. Every now and then we get a player worth paying money to see play. Or witness a team which epitomises everything that is good about football, representing our town & club and it makes the pain worth while. Any success, or quality player, is appreciated & savoured.
I love being a Barnsley fan.

 

Which is why he fits in so well with us.

 

Yeah Jay I could turn up at Anfield or Old Trafford if I was lucky enough to get a ticket, also I could follow Celtic like a lot of plastic paddys do, and see my team win everything in sight. But where is the fun in that?

I've always prefered the underdog. I've made the trip to Oakwell quite a few times now and have met some wonderful people. All with the same outlook as myself. We support Barnsley with the hope that we win not the expectation of the win. The same as my home town team Dundee United. I mean I followed United to hampden on 6 occasions to Scottish Cup Finals only to lose the lot. Many fans would have just given up but we at Tannadice persevered and eventually on our 7th attempt we won it. Won it again in 2010 after 16 years after our 1st success.
Those moments live with you forever but if you are a Chelsea / Man U fan its just another day. Nae fun.

Hopefully I can get down for the Birmingham game and offer a wee bit of moral and vocal support.

 

While we've got you talking about Dundee United, care to share any memories of the European runs in 83-84 and 86-87? Well, anything from 81-82 to 86-87 as it was all a bit special.

 

Wow all a bit special mate. Where would I start? TBH most of our European great wins are all on You Tube. Certainly worth searching for.

To watch your team take apart sides such as Barcelona who we have played competitively 4 times and have beat them 4 times is unbelievable.
When you consider how small a club like United is in comparison to Barca then that feat is exceptional.
I've also had the privilege of seeing my team beat the likes of Juventus, Porto, Standard Liege, Anderlecht and we did give Borussie Monchengladbach 5 after losing the first leg 2-0. What an awesome night that was.
I also had the honour to watch United compete in the UEFA Cup Final in 1987 when we lost to IFK Gothenburg. That was only days after losing the Scottish Cup Final to St Mirren. Oh the ups and downs of supporting United.
We also contested a European Cup semi final v Roma. Beat them 2-0 at Tannadice only to lose 3-0 in Rome.

Unfortunately I'm not that stupid to believe that those days will return anytime soon, but I have great memories.
European nights at Tannadice were always that bit special and I'm so glad I was there to appreciate and take it all in.
Jay I gave Biglil a DVD of United's European glory goals, maybe if you asked him kindly he might allow you to have a loan or a copy of it.

Check this oot Jay
http://youtu.be/_BeUMbOka0c

And this
http://youtu.be/gXb7VG9o-u0

 

Bloody barmy, travelling 260 miles to watch your own team is perfectly reasonable, but 360 miles to watch your 2nd team? Section the guy!

Will you be driving down, Ian?

 

Yeah I'd hope so mate but still don't know when. Will you be going?

BTW It's 315 miles from my house to Oakwell.

 

Undecided at the moment! Which will probably mean yes

 

I'd be looking to stay over. No way would I contemplate driving there and back in a 1er.
This is my problem regarding our cup game. If its Friday night I'd travel down Saturday morning and have a Saturday night out in Barnsley and hit all the high spots.
If we are to play on the Sunday I'd travel down Friday stay over and leave directly after the game. That is exactly what I did last time. Back home for 11.