It is a big Derby weekend in the English Premier League, with Sunderland set to face Newcastle United in the Second City Derby before Manchester United face Manchester City in the Manchester Derby.
There is something very special about Derby Football – it isn’t just about the violence in the crowd – and some of the rivalries in British Football are some of the most intense in world sport.
There is no love between any of the fans in this list, but what deserves to be considered the best derby in British Football?
Merseyside Derby – Everton vs Liverpool
Why They Hate Each Other: This was once referred to as the Friendly Derby due to the good feeling between the respective fans, but it is political allegiance that often plays a role.
First Meeting: 13th October 1894
Most Violent Moment: An Everton fan was glassed in the throat after the 2011 Merseyside Derby
Everton’s Best Win: 1991 FA Cup Replay. Everton equalised on an incredible four occasions and won the replay a week later.
Liverpool’s Best Win: The 1989 FA Cup Final. Liverpool and Everton were two of the best teams in Europe in the 1980s, but Liverpool were able to best their rivals in the majority of their major fixtures.
Second City Derby – Aston Villa vs Birmingham City
Why They Hate Each Other: It is all about local hostility and the fight for who is the best team in Birmingham.
First Meeting: 27th September 1879
Most Violent Moment: Their 2010 meeting was marred by violence between the two sets of fans. Players or managers that switch to the other side of town often receive death threats.
Aston Villa’s Best Win: Aston Villa flogged Birmingham 5-1 to win their Premier League clash in 2008.
Birmingham’s Best Win: Birmingham beat Aston Villa to take out the 1963 League Cup.
Manchester Derby – Manchester City vs Manchester United
Why They Hate Each Other: Manchester United fans didn’t give two hoots about Manchester City until recent years when City actually became good, while Manchester City criticise United for not actually being based in Trafford not Manchester.
First Meeting: 12 November 1881
Most Violent Moment: City beat United 1-0 in the derby last year, but the big action was off the pitch after the game when over 100 fans of both sides were involved in a massive brawl.
Manchester United’s Best Win: 2009/2010 League Cup Semi-Final. Manchester City equalised on three occasions, but Michael Owen score in the 95th minute to steal the win.
Manchester City’s Best Win: Manchester City absolutely embarrassed their rivals 6-1 in 2011 on the way to the Premier League title.
Midlands Derby – Derby vs Nottingham Forrest
Why They Hate Each Other: This rivalry started due to geographic proximity, but it went to another level when Derby legend Brian Clough took over as Nottingham Forrest manager.
First Meeting: 1st October 1892
Most Violent Moment: Nottingham Forrest rans threw two sheep heads through the windows of two separate pubs filled with Derby fans before their clash in 2009.
Derby’s Best Win: Derby came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the 2009 FA Cup.
Nottingham Forest’s Best Win: Nottingham Forrest ended a six year losing streak to Derby in a Premier League fixture in 2009 after which a post-match scuffle broke out.
North London Derby – Arsenal vs Tottenham
Why They Hate Each Other: The fans of both Arsenal and Tottenham are very similar types of people these days, but they still hate each other because they always have.
First Meeting: 4th December 1909
Most Violent Moment: Arsenal beat Tottenham in the League Cup earlier this year and to celebrate they opted to do their best to destroy White Hart Lane.
Arsenal’s Best Win: Arsenal beat Tottenham 1-0 in the final game of the 1970/1971 season to secure the first division title.
Tottenham’s Best Win: Tottenham had not beaten Arsenal for 17 years, but in 2010 they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Dockers Derby – Millwall vs West Ham
Why They Hate Each Other: Millwall and Wes Ham both originated in the East End of London and were separated by less than three miles, but were generally supported by two separate groups of dockers that worked for rival firms.
First Meeting: 9th December 1899
Most Violent Moment: There are too many to list. Just watch Green Street Hooligans.
Millwall’s Best Win: Millwall and West Ham went over a decade without meeting each other in a competitive fixture, but Millwall were able to celebrate the first derby at the New Den when they flogged the Hammers 4-1 in March of 2004.
West Ham’s Best Win: The two sides met in the Football League for the first time in 1932 and West Ham dominated their rivals to win 3-0.
Sheffield Derby – Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday
Why They Hate Each Other: This is officially the oldest rivalry in the history of football and the first fixture between the two sides in 1862 turned into a full blown riot. Although both sides have struggled in recent years the same still remains just as intense.
First Meeting: 16th November 1862
Most Violent Moment: You can’t top the first ever game played between these two sides. The game finished as a 0-0 draw, but that did not matter as both players and fans spent the majority of the 90 meters brawling.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Best Win: The Boxing Day Massacre in 1979. Sheffield United went into the game as clear favourites, but they were absolutely blown off the park by Sheffield Wednesday, who recorded a 4-0 win.
Sheffield United’s Best Win: Sheffield United celebrate their rivals relegation the season prior with a massive 7-3 win in a Second Division clash in 1951.
Tyne-Wear Derby – Newcastle United vs Sunderland
Why They Hate Each Other: This one goes all the way back to the English Civil War. Newcastle remained loyal to the crown throughout, while Sunderland sided with the parliament.
First Meeting: December 7 1883
Most Violent Moment: There have been plenty of moments to choose from in recent years, but the most memorable occurred during a game in 1990 when 100s of Newcastle fans stormed the pitch in the hope that the game would be abandoned when their side went down 2-0.
Newcastle’s Best Win: Newcastle exerted their dominance over Sunderland way back in 1920 when they recorded a 6-1 league victory.
Sunderland’s Best Win: Sunderland beat Newcastle in a Second Division play-off semi-final that is now known as the biggest Tyne-Wear derby in history.
South Wales Derby – Cardiff vs Swansea
Why They Hate Each Other: Everybody from Wales hates anybody else in Wales that isn’t from their area of Wales.
First Meeting: 7th September 1912
Most Violent Moment: After the South Wales Derby in 1988 a group of Cardiff fans were chased into the sea by Swansea fans, while the game between the two sides in 1993 is now known as The Battle Of Ninian Park.
Cardiff’s Best Win: The spirits of Swansea supporters during World War II took a battering when they lost 8-0 to Cardiff in 1940.
Swansea’s Best Win: Swansea beat Cardiff 3-0 in 2014 in the first ever Premier League fixture between the two sides.
Old Firm Derby – Celtic vs Rangers
Why They Hate Each Other: The hatred between these two sides is all about religion, social ideology and national identity. Catholics support Celtic and protestants support Rangers. The rivalry between these two sides goes well beyond sport.
First Meeting: 28th May 1888
Most Violent Moment: This is once again a rivalry where there have been too many violent incidents to pick just one, but things gone out of hand when a 10-year-old had his teeth knocked out earlier this year.
Celtic’s Best Win: Celtic have flogged Rangers on a number of occasions, but the won 4-0 in the 1969 Scottish Cup Final.
Rangers’s Best Win: Rangers completed the League/Cup Double when they score a last minute victory in the 2002 edition of the Scottish Cup Final.