Arbroath FC, has a long tradition of making life difficult for the so-called footballing “giants.” Whether it’s raining goals, pulling off defensive masterclasses, or simply refusing to roll over when everyone expects them to, Arbroath has a knack for shaking things up. Here are seven moments when they tore up the script and reminded Scottish football that underdogs bite back.
Back in the Scottish Championship and facing a well-backed Dunfermline side, Arbroath refused to be intimidated. The match was a tense, tactical battle—until super-sub Luke Donnelly popped up late to snatch the winner.
With Tam O’Brien marshalling the defense and the Gaffer working his usual magic on the touchline, this wasn’t just three points—it was a statement. Arbroath weren’t here to make up the numbers.
A top-of-the-table clash in the Scottish Championship saw Arbroath, the part-timers, taking on a full-time Kilmarnock side expected to cruise to promotion. But the Red Lichties had other ideas.
Jack Hamilton’s second-half strike was enough to seal a monumental victory, proving that Arbroath’s title challenge was no fluke. The top UK betting sites not on GamStop might not have seen it coming, but now, the odds are looking very different. This season, Arbroath are 7/4 favourites to win League One, and a top-three finish is almost a certainty (1/1 odds).
If you love chaos, goals, and football that ignores defensive responsibility, this was the game for you. Arbroath and Elgin City put on a goal-fest at Gayfield Park, with the Lichties coming out on top in a 5–3 thriller.
This wasn’t just an entertaining match—it was a vital win in Arbroath’s charge toward promotion from League Two. And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a game where the scoreboard operator gets a workout?
Dundee United were marching toward the Championship title, but nobody told Arbroath. Craig Wighton’s first-half goal stunned the Tannadice crowd, and an impeccably drilled Arbroath side refused to let United back into the game.
This was classic underdog football—disciplined, determined, and downright frustrating for the opposition. One-nil to the Lichties, and another massive scalp in the books.
Yes, you read that right. Thirty-six. Nil. To this day, it remains the joint biggest win in football history.
John Petrie helped himself to 13 goals (casual), and Bon Accord probably wished they had just stayed home. A score line so absurd it feels like a glitch in the matrix, but it’s 100% real.
Beating Rangers at Ibrox? That’s the stuff of dreams for most clubs outside the Old Firm. But in 1974, Arbroath did exactly that.
John Fletcher bagged both goals in a stunning 2–1 win, leaving the home fans shell-shocked and the Red Lichties faithful in absolute ecstasy.
Heading to Celtic Park as massive underdogs in the Scottish Cup, Arbroath were expected to be little more than a formality for the reigning Premiership champions. But football doesn’t work like that.
After going behind early, Arbroath refused to crumble. Then, late in the game, Steven Doris pounced on a defensive mistake and slotted home a dramatic equalizer. The away end erupted, Celtic Park fell silent, and Arbroath earned themselves a famous replay.
Sure, Celtic won the rematch—but for one glorious evening, the Red Lichties had the Scottish football world talking.
