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Are you tired of sitting in a bar with your Arsenal shirt on while surrounded by Spurs fans? We’re sure you are, so follow our guide to the major football supporter’s clubs in the UAE.

If we haven't mentioned your supporter's club then please get in touch.

English Premier League

Manchester United

MUSC UAE became official at the beginning of the 2012/2013 season, and now has over 140 members. They reached an agreement with the Crowne Plaza to become the official 'Home of MUSC UAE'.  This agreement involved branding the outlet as well as benefits and discounts to all members by simply showing their “One United” membership card.

There are also agreements with two other outlets. YAMO Shisha Cafe and Restaurant which is near the Gloria Hotel in Media City is ideal for United fans in New Dubai. Abu Dhabi Red Devils can join fellow fans in Coopers at the Park Rotana in Khalifa Park.

Members also have the opportunity to book tickets to watch matches at Old Trafford in Manchester as the supporters clubs have an allocation of tickets. A recent tie-up with Soccerscene means that United fans are entitled to special-rate discounts on purchases.  

Venue Harvesters, Crowne Plaza, Trade Centre; YAMO, Media City; Coopers, Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi Colours Red, white & black Main rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds United… the list goes on Contact Facebook

Tottenham Hotspur

The UAE Spurs supporters club has been in existence since 2009. They started off as a small group of Spurs supporters in Dubai and over time the number of members grew. Eventually they received official status from Tottenham Hotspur football club in the UK in 2013.

Whenever Spurs are playing, the club get together to watch the match at The Icon Bar & Lounge, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City. Email them with your details or send a Facebook friend request and you will be added to the UAE Spurs Facebook group.

Venue Icon Lounge, Radisson Blu, Media City Colours White & black Main rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and, thanks to the Olympic Stadium, West Ham United

Liverpool

The Liverpool supporters club – the Dubai Reds - has been in existence for 10 years and was one of the first official supporters clubs in the region. There are around 300 LFC fans in the UAE, with great offers for both new and existing members to visit Anfield during the season to attend Premier League games with guaranteed tickets through the Official LFC Supporters club ticket scheme.

The Dubai Reds meet regularly at Goodfellas Sports Bar, Ramee Rose Hotel, Tecom for all televised Liverpool games. There’s no need to be a member to watch the games with the supporter’s club, all are welcome.

VenueGoodfellas, Ramee Rose, Tecom Colours Red Main rivals Everton & Manchester United Contact Email

Chelsea

The club has had a number of active venues over the years, but since 2010 they have called Loca, at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa, home. Chelsea games are shown on the big screen at the front of the bar, and all UAECSC members receive a 15 per cent discount year round with their club membership.

The club is run on a committee basis with the committee members being voted on at the AGM. Essentially the club is run by the fans, for the fans.

Venue Loca, Dubai Marina Beach Resort & SpaColours BlueMain rivals Fulham, Millwall, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur… and many more! Contact Facebook

Arsenal

The Arsenal UAE Supporters' Club was set up and given official status by Arsenal FC in 2009. Over the past six years the club has gained over 400 loyal members as well as a Facebook following of over 1,000.

Until recently, Abu Dhabi’s Arsenal members have had to travel to the bright lights of Dubai to join their fellow Gooners to watch matches live at Velocity at the JW Marriott Marquis. Now, though, the capital’s Gunners gather at Harvester’s Bar at the Holiday Inn in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Annual membership is Dh50 and includes a 25 per cent discount on all food and drinks from the bar, as well as access to match tickets for home games at the Emirates.

Venue Harvester’s, Holiday Inn, Abu Dhabi and Velocity, JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai Colours Red and white Main rivals Totthenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City… And from this year at least, West Ham Contact  Email

Everton

The blue side of Merseyside is well-supported in Dubai, with Toffee Men even having infiltrated the Gulf News newsroom. Even our resident Radio 2 Drive presenter, Sparky, is a fervent Toffee.

Evertonians have been self-proclaimed nomads in recent years but recently have been meeting up for games at Girders, which is an industrial-themed bar at the JA Ocean View Hotel at Jumeirah Beach Residence. For most of the season, supporters are given the big screen on the rooftop to watch live games.

While there are no official offers, Girders does provide 30 or so bottles of hops to Toffee Men, which just so happens to be the team’s title sponsor.  

Venue Girders, JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR Colours Blue Main rivals Liverpool Contact Email

Manchester City

Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City understandably has a large UAE-following. But there was once was a time before that, and hardened Citizens who endured relegation from the Premier League and years of decline have tasted football hardships. These fans have always been here, and true sky blues gather at the Crown and Lion at the Byblos Hotel in Tecom each week to cheer their team on.

It’s not an official supporters club as such, but it’s important that Citeh fans stick together.

Venue Crown and Lion, Byblos Hotel, Tecom Colours Sky blue and white Main rivals Manchester United and just about everyone else. And Stockport Contact mcfcdubai@gmail.com

Aston Villa

On paper, Aston Villa is one of the most successful English football clubs in history. Sadly, though, success has been in short supply in recent years. But that just adds to the camaraderie of its lion-hearted fans.     

The Dubai Lions meet at the Centre Circle bar at the Ramada Chelsea Hotel in Al Barsha. It’s one of the fastest growing supporter’s clubs in Dubai, which suggests most Villains are fed up with the Birmingham weather.

Venue Centre Circle, Ramada Chelsea, Al Barsha Colours Claret and blue Main rivals Birmingham City, West Bromich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanders, Coventry City Contact Facebook

West Ham United

The Dubai Hammers was formed as a result of a number of smaller groups of West Ham fans meeting to watch the play-off final in 2012. At the start of the 2012/13 season the club was granted official status and now has over 100 members.

The club has a long standing agreement with Nelson’s Bar in the Media Rotana, Tecom, which includes togging the bar out in East London colours: claret and blue. Discounts are offered to all members and free half-time chip butties are handed around.

A special yearly event is organised as a treat, which has so far included members-only access to a private training session with the Hammers’ first team in Dubai and a Q&A with their former manager. This year the club is hosting an evening with three former East London legends. 

Venue Nelson’s Bar, Media Rotana, Tecom Colours Claret and Blue Main rivals Millwall, but due to lack of fixtures between the two attentions have turned to Tottenham and Chelsea Contact Website

Southampton

The Dubai Saints began life in 2009 by accident when nine Southampton fans went along to watch Matt Le Tissier co-present a friendly between England and Brazil. Three years followed until the group took on a more defined organisation, setting up social media accounts in an effort to lure more Saints to the emirate.

When games are televised, Dubai Saints gather to watch their red and white-striped men at Barasti, next to Le Meridien Mina Seyahi just off Al Sufouh Road.

A table is reserved for every televised game inside the main bar and, regardless of performance, the Saints live by a strict motto: “If the game is rubbish who cares?”

Outside of football, the group enjoy bonding together by photo-bombing golf tournaments. Such high-jinks encapsulate this slightly avant garde football supporters’ club. They consider themselves more of a family above anything else.

Southampton FC does not have a formal Global Fans Group programme but the Dubai Saints have been recognised by the club and have been featured in the match day programme.

Venue Barasti Bar Colours Red and white stripes Main rival Portsmouth, well, it may be a while before the next league meeting of El Classicoast Contact @DubaiSaints Website www.dubaisaints.com (under construction)

Scottish Premier League & Championship

Celtic

The Dubai Hoops are Celtic’s very own supporters club. Staying true to their Irish-Catholic roots, Dubai’s Celtic faithful gather at The Dubliners at Le Meridien in Al Garhoud.

New members are always welcome to join one of the longest-standing supporters' clubs in the UAE. All of Celtic’s Scottish Premier League matches and selected cup competition matches are at The Dubliners.

The club is active with its members, and they organize activities throughout the year.

Venue The Dubliners, Le Meridien, Al Garhoud, Dubai Colours Green and white Main rivals Rangers Contact Website

Rangers

The other half of the Old Firm is in their fifteenth year as a supporters' club in Dubai. The Teddy Bears meet to watch Rangers games at Centre Circle bar, which is at the Ramada Chelsea Hotel in Al Barsha.

Always happy to welcome new Bears, the club runs activities throughout the course of the year, as well as a group trip to watch Rangers live once a year. Children are also encouraged to join, and are permitted in Centre Circle until 9pm.

Venue Centre Circle, Ramada Chelsea, Al Barsha Colours Blue Main rivals Celtic Contact Website

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona

As one of the greatest teams in the world, FC Barcelona is well-supported in Dubai. The Penya, as they’re called, are active community members and aim to spread the word of Messi and co. to all and sundry across the UAE – except for Real Madrid fans, of course.

Membership includes a variety of discounts and plum seats when matches are shown. The club meet to watch matches at the Spanish Seville’s Restaurant & Bar, and 25 per cent discounts on food and drink are on offer.

Venue Seville’s Restaurant & Bar, Wafi Mall, Oud Metha Colours Blue and maroon Main rivals Real Madrid Contact Website

Real Madrid

The Los Blancos have a huge following in Dubai, and their Bernabeu away from Spain is Girders, at the JA Ocean View Hotel in Jumeirah Beach Residence. They are the only official Real supporter’s club in Dubai.

Fans are given several of the LCD screens around the bar during all live matches.

By becoming a member, Real fans can enjoy a range of undisclosed benefits. Family participation is keenly encouraged.  

Venue Girders, JA Ocean View Hotel Colours White Main rivals Barcelona Contact Email

Portuguese Primeira Liga

Benfica

The Aguias (Eagles) are one the well-supported Portuguese clubs in the UAE. The fans in Dubai are currently in communication with the football club to try and become an official supporters’ club, but for now they remain unofficial, although vocal and passionate.

Benfica fans gather at Barrels Sports Pub, which is at the Majestic Hotel Tower in Al Mankool. For bigger games you’ll be surrounded by an excess of 50 like-minded Encarnados.

Venue Barrels, Majestic Tower Hotel, Al Mankool Colours Red and white Main rivals Sporting and Porto Contact No official contact

English Football League Two

AFC Wimbledon

At present there is one unofficial AFC Wimbledon supporters' club in Abu Dhabi (you may remember they nearly drew with Liverpool in the FA Cup in January, 2015). There is only one member – this writer, as it happens – and I meet up with myself at the Sportsman's Arms at Zayed Sports City. Despite the fact that League Two matches aren’t televised in the Middle East, by downloading the Football League App on your iPhone, obtaining a Wifi password, and plugging in your earphones, you can sit and listen to Radio WDON commentary in peace and cheer the Dons on week in, week out.

Venue Sportsman's Arms, Abu Dhabi Colours Blue & yellow Main rivals Crawley Town and – reluctantly – Franchise Contact Email

Do you run, or are you involved, in a football supporters club in the UAE, either official or unofficial? If so please get in touch on mfullard@gulfnews.com.