Whether it is called a jinx, a hex or a hoodoo, regulars at Arbroath’s best-known football pub are determined not to dent the chances of their local heroes on Saturday.
Staff at Tutties Neuk a stone’s throw from Gayfield have been putting the final preparations to a “derby day party,” which they assured The Courier had no connection to this weekend’s opportunity for the Lichties to win the first silverware in their 133-year history.
Such is the superstition among the supporters who drink there every match day that the very mention of Paul Sheerin’s men possibly lifting the league title is banned.
Tutties Arbroath Supporters Club is run by landlady Carol Shand, a lifelong fan, who said, “We have got 120 metres of maroon and white bunting coming that will be going up on Friday night before the game.
“We are having a big party obviously because it is derby day and not for any other reason!
“Nobody wants to talk about the league, because we are all very superstitious and we don’t want to jinx it. I really don’t want to speak about it too much!”
Carol lives above the pub, which is packed out for every home game, but this Saturday’s match-up against Montrose is likely to be something different.
With Arbroath already six points clear, they can take the Division 3 crown if they win and Albion Rovers do not take full points in their fixture.
Carol added, “We are running a sweepstake for customers to try and guess how many people are going to be coming through the gates on Saturday the highest so far is 3333.
“Half of the money will go to the winner and the other half will go towards the Tutties in the Park event we are holding.”