Union Bears
| Union Bears | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | U.B. |
| Established | 2007 |
| Type | Supporters' group |
| Club | Rangers F.C. |
| Motto | No Surrender |
| Location | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Stadium | Ibrox Stadium, 150 Edminson Drive, Glasgow, G51 2XD |
| Stand | Copland Front |
| Coordinates | 55°51′19″N 4°18′34″W / 55.8553°N 4.3094°W |
| Key people | Ross "Miami" McGill |
| Colours | Red, White, Blue |
| Website | www |
The Union Bears are a self-funded non-profit association football ultras group supporting Rangers F.C. in Glasgow, Scotland.[1][2] Formed as a splinter group of the Blue Order in 2007,[3] following the 2006 establishment of the rival Green Brigade,[4] the Union Bears was established by members of the Blue Order seeking a European-inspired form of vocal ultras support, characterised by large tifo displays and pyrotechnics.[3] Their motto of "no surrender" was used by the Protestant city defenders during the 1689 siege of Derry as a defiant message to the Catholic forces of King James II,[5] and is used widely by Protestant unionists and Rangers supporters.
Controversies
[edit]The Union Bears are a controversial group, often singing anti-Celtic songs and chants considered by many to be sectarian.[6][7] They take a far-right and anti-SNP stance in Scottish and British politics,[8][9] with a strong ideological overlap with the Orange Order. The Union Bears strongly support 45th and 47th US President Donald Trump, displaying banners and tifos reading "Make Rangers Great Again" a rewording of Trump's campaign slogan "Make America Great Again".[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Home". Union Bears.
- ↑ "Rangers Ultras: A guide to the Union Bears, history, controversy". 10 December 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
- 1 2 Carroll, Ryan (29 March 2026). "20 years of Old Firm ultras and the history of Scotland's hardcore fans". Daily Record. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "History". Green Brigade. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "The Siege of Derry 1689". The History Press. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "'Arrests expected' over anti-Catholic singing by group of Rangers fans". BBC News. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rangers fan group Union Bears defiant over 'supposedly sectarian & racist term' as they refuse to say they'll stop singing Billy Boys". The Scottish Sun. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rangers' Union Bears fans group put up anti-SNP and anti-independence banners as election day begins". The Scottish Sun. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ "Rangers fillet Union Bears over 'racist and discriminatory' banner as club charged". Rangers Review. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
- ↑ Grewar, Calum (1 May 2025). "Is Rangers going MAGA?". The Glasgow Bell. Retrieved 4 April 2026.