The News Agents Are football's new 'Ultras' a force for good? - The Sports Agents
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Mar 27, 2026 
Andy Hughes, investigative journalist who has gone undercover on football hooliganism, joins to unpack Scotland's ultras. He explores their community-building, skill-sharing and tifos. He also probes risks: online radicalisation, mob mentality and where passion can tip into violence. Short, sharp and focused on the culture and its dangers.
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Ultras Fill Youth Service Gaps With Real Skills
- Scottish ultras have filled a youth void by offering community, creativity and practical skills like songwriting, budgeting and drum-playing.
- Blair links this to lack of youth facilities, rising costs and cultural norms that push kids into street-based activities.
Undercover Watcher Saw Ultras Turn Violent After Derby Loss
- Andy Hughes spent six months undercover with a Newcastle youth ultras group and watched them transform from jovial to violent after a derby loss.
- He describes bottles hurled at police and assaults on police horses during the Sunderland defeat.
European Ultras Often Self-Police Through Club Ties
- In parts of Europe ultras self-police via supporter liaison roles integrated with clubs, reducing the club-fan divide.
- Blair contrasts that with UK SLOs which sit with clubs, creating friction and missed cooperation.