THE Derby

[SwissBlade]

Football fans everywhere always seem to have a 'Derby', i guess there are some which don't have any, but can't think of any. However, most games, to me at least aren't 'Derbies' but just local rivals.

It might be pedantic, but games against Barnsley are not South Yorks Derbies, Leeds games are not Yorkshire Derbies, they are simply local rivals. Many don't see the difference. Sunderland, Newcastle and Boro don't have Derbies, to me they are also local Rivals. To them its their Derby.

But i think there is something much more special with what we have in Sheffield, what Glasgow, Milan, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol have. We will say that ours is the best and who can argue? Nobody. Because as Wilder said yesterday in his press conference, the only one that matters to Sheffielders is this one. We have no way of knowing that another is better or more intense.

Sheffield is unique in many ways, from talking to people over the years, whilst there are strongholds in Sheffield where you get a bigger population of Blades or Pigs, the majority of the city is mixed, there is no religious or geographical divide.

Having not had a Derby for 5 seasons or whatever, we've played Donny, Rotherham, Chesterfield and the Dingles, but those games are relatively meaningless, despite our neighbours claiming that we have a big rivalry, its built up to give them something to get excited about. Its not arrogant to say that we don't really care about them, they're a rival, but thats it. Sure we don't want to lose, but its 3 points.

The Sheffield Derby, is not about 3 points, its about so much more. In our experience, the last few years hasn't given us much to shout about, but all the last few years will be put to rest with a win on Sunday.

Wilder quite rightly justified their billing as favourites when asked the other day, the pigs themselves even put themselves as favourites, but we don't pay too much attention to them.

There is no other game like this one, apparently you never forget your first derby, but for me, i don't remember that many, not because i've been pissed, i just find that the games pass by so quickly as you bite your nails and watch the clock tick down, whether ahead, behind or level. You wish the game away, you wish for more time.

I don't think i've ever enjoyed a Derby with the pigs, but i've enjoyed hearing the final whistle a few times...

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Football fans everywhere always seem to have a 'Derby', i guess there are some which don't have any, but can't think of any. However, most games, to me at least aren't 'Derbies' but just local rivals.

It might be pedantic, but games against Barnsley are not South Yorks Derbies, Leeds games are not Yorkshire Derbies, they are simply local rivals. Many don't see the difference. Sunderland, Newcastle and Boro don't have Derbies, to me they are also local Rivals. To them its their Derby.

But i think there is something much more special with what we have in Sheffield, what Glasgow, Milan, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol have. We will say that ours is the best and who can argue? Nobody. Because as Wilder said yesterday in his press conference, the only one that matters to Sheffielders is this one. We have no way of knowing that another is better or more intense.

Sheffield is unique in many ways, from talking to people over the years, whilst there are strongholds in Sheffield where you get a bigger population of Blades or Pigs, the majority of the city is mixed, there is no religious or geographical divide.

Having not had a Derby for 5 seasons or whatever, we've played Donny, Rotherham, Chesterfield and the Dingles, but those games are relatively meaningless, despite our neighbours claiming that we have a big rivalry, its built up to give them something to get excited about. Its not arrogant to say that we don't really care about them, they're a rival, but thats it. Sure we don't want to lose, but its 3 points.

The Sheffield Derby, is not about 3 points, its about so much more. In our experience, the last few years hasn't given us much to shout about, but all the last few years will be put to rest with a win on Sunday.

Wilder quite rightly justified their billing as favourites when asked the other day, the pigs themselves even put themselves as favourites, but we don't pay too much attention to them.

There is no other game like this one, apparently you never forget your first derby, but for me, i don't remember that many, not because i've been pissed, i just find that the games pass by so quickly as you bite your nails and watch the clock tick down, whether ahead, behind or level. You wish the game away, you wish for more time.

I don't think i've ever enjoyed a Derby with the pigs, but i've enjoyed hearing the final whistle a few times...

Thank god...I assumed this was going to be about horse-racing...

 

[Blade for Sale]

What sets ours apart for me is that, rose tinted specs removed, both teams are of a similar stature, yet paradoxically the fixture doesn't come about all that often because fluctuating fortunes dictate that we aren't always in the same division.

The result is a fixture which is rare enough to maintain its 'needle' every time but is nearly always evenly and fiercely contested.

I can't think of any other cities where this happens. Something to cherish really, although I like most will be shitting it until the final whistle on Sunday, and the outcome will dictate my mood for the rest of the week!

 

[botoble]

Football fans everywhere always seem to have a 'Derby', i guess there are some which don't have any, but can't think of any. However, most games, to me at least aren't 'Derbies' but just local rivals.

It might be pedantic, but games against Barnsley are not South Yorks Derbies, Leeds games are not Yorkshire Derbies, they are simply local rivals. Many don't see the difference. Sunderland, Newcastle and Boro don't have Derbies, to me they are also local Rivals. To them its their Derby.

But i think there is something much more special with what we have in Sheffield, what Glasgow, Milan, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol have. We will say that ours is the best and who can argue? Nobody. Because as Wilder said yesterday in his press conference, the only one that matters to Sheffielders is this one. We have no way of knowing that another is better or more intense.

Sheffield is unique in many ways, from talking to people over the years, whilst there are strongholds in Sheffield where you get a bigger population of Blades or Pigs, the majority of the city is mixed, there is no religious or geographical divide.

Having not had a Derby for 5 seasons or whatever, we've played Donny, Rotherham, Chesterfield and the Dingles, but those games are relatively meaningless, despite our neighbours claiming that we have a big rivalry, its built up to give them something to get excited about. Its not arrogant to say that we don't really care about them, they're a rival, but thats it. Sure we don't want to lose, but its 3 points.

The Sheffield Derby, is not about 3 points, its about so much more. In our experience, the last few years hasn't given us much to shout about, but all the last few years will be put to rest with a win on Sunday.

Wilder quite rightly justified their billing as favourites when asked the other day, the pigs themselves even put themselves as favourites, but we don't pay too much attention to them.

There is no other game like this one, apparently you never forget your first derby, but for me, i don't remember that many, not because i've been pissed, i just find that the games pass by so quickly as you bite your nails and watch the clock tick down, whether ahead, behind or level. You wish the game away, you wish for more time.

I don't think i've ever enjoyed a Derby with the pigs, but i've enjoyed hearing the final whistle a few times...

Our derby is a big one no question and the only one that matters.

however

I'd disagree with Sunderland Newcastle not being a derby. The 2 cities merge into one with huge areas of split fans. I take your point with boro or us and Leeds, Barnsley, Rotherham but The Tyne & Wear derby is as much a derby as any other. You are either from a Sunderland family or a Newcastle family, If you live south of the Tyne & north of the Wear you all live and work together similar to Sheffield and the rivalry between the 2 areas is massive.

You could argue Manchester derby isn't a derby as one is in the City of Salford and supported by southerners and foreigners whilst the other is in the City of Manchester?

 

[S64 Blade]

You could argue Manchester derby isn't a derby as one is in the City of Salford and supported by southerners and foreigners whilst the other is in the City of Manchester?

Trafford is actually on the Manchester side of the river, not Salford. Having lived in Manchester I can confirm that there are plenty of Man Utd fans living in the city.

That's splitting hairs anyway. It'd be like saying that Arsenal is in Islington and Tottenham, Harringey, so it's not a London derby. Also the Forest ground is technically in West Bridgford (Rushcliffe) and not Nottingham.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Thank god...I assumed this was going to be about horse-racing...

All that and not one tip eh?

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

I reckon that the Sheffield derby is the fiercest in the country outside of the old firm.

 

[Steve Mackan]

...both teams are of a similar stature, yet paradoxically the fixture doesn't come about all that often because fluctuating fortunes dictate that we aren't always in the same division.

It's certainly that. The fact that the fixture itself is never a given, season after season, like most other derbies. Hard to put a finger on exactly why it is special, but it's exciting and terrifying in equal measure.

 

[botoble]

Trafford is actually on the Manchester side of the river, not Salford. Having lived in Manchester I can confirm that there are plenty of Man Utd fans living in the city.

That's splitting hairs anyway. It'd be like saying that Arsenal is in Islington and Tottenham, Harringey, so it's not a London derby. Also the Forest ground is technically in West Bridgford (Rushcliffe) and not Nottingham.

In Metropolitan borough of Trafford then

 

[Booker4]

Football fans everywhere always seem to have a 'Derby', i guess there are some which don't have any, but can't think of any. However, most games, to me at least aren't 'Derbies' but just local rivals.

It might be pedantic, but games against Barnsley are not South Yorks Derbies, Leeds games are not Yorkshire Derbies, they are simply local rivals. Many don't see the difference. Sunderland, Newcastle and Boro don't have Derbies, to me they are also local Rivals. To them its their Derby.

But i think there is something much more special with what we have in Sheffield, what Glasgow, Milan, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol have. We will say that ours is the best and who can argue? Nobody. Because as Wilder said yesterday in his press conference, the only one that matters to Sheffielders is this one. We have no way of knowing that another is better or more intense.

Sheffield is unique in many ways, from talking to people over the years, whilst there are strongholds in Sheffield where you get a bigger population of Blades or Pigs, the majority of the city is mixed, there is no religious or geographical divide.

Having not had a Derby for 5 seasons or whatever, we've played Donny, Rotherham, Chesterfield and the Dingles, but those games are relatively meaningless, despite our neighbours claiming that we have a big rivalry, its built up to give them something to get excited about. Its not arrogant to say that we don't really care about them, they're a rival, but thats it. Sure we don't want to lose, but its 3 points.

The Sheffield Derby, is not about 3 points, its about so much more. In our experience, the last few years hasn't given us much to shout about, but all the last few years will be put to rest with a win on Sunday.

Wilder quite rightly justified their billing as favourites when asked the other day, the pigs themselves even put themselves as favourites, but we don't pay too much attention to them.

There is no other game like this one, apparently you never forget your first derby, but for me, i don't remember that many, not because i've been pissed, i just find that the games pass by so quickly as you bite your nails and watch the clock tick down, whether ahead, behind or level. You wish the game away, you wish for more time.

I don't think i've ever enjoyed a Derby with the pigs, but i've enjoyed hearing the final whistle a few times...

Sorry Swiss, but have to pick you up on saying that Newcastle and Sunderland don't have a derby? I'm guessing you don't know the area well, because the Tyne and Wear region is full of mixed towns and communities which support both teams - not literally people who support Sunderland and Newcastle, but people who support Newcastle or Sunderland from the same communities, like Sheffield. Newcastle and Sunderland are only 30 minutes apart , 16 miles which will be the same, if not more time and/or distance, that it takes many of our fans to get to Hillsborough this Sunday.

 

[Grecian2000]

It's ONLY a derby if half and half scarves are on sale. FACT.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I hate it yet love it at the same time.

Been shitting myself since Monday.

I remember last time we played them at Bramall Lane in 2011 there being a palpable feeling of pure hatred in the air. The atmosphere was absolutely vile.

I can't imagine you get that at many other derbies in world football.

 

[Tyler Durden]

It's ONLY a derby if half and half scarves are on sale. FACT.

Indeed.

Which is why I took great pleasure from knocking those Leyton Orient BASTARDS out of the cup last year.

 

[Booker4]

I reckon that the Sheffield derby is the fiercest in the country outside of the old firm.

I'd say its stronger than many think it is, but not the strongest in England. The Sheffield derby is in my view more of a rivalry than the Manchester and Birmingham derbies, because in Manchester both Manchester teams despise Liverpool as much, if not more than their local Manchester rival. In Birmingham, Villa are less bothered about City than the other way round in my view, although they might disagree.

Spurs and Arsenal have a strong rivalry but from speaking to fans of both that live in Sheffield. they say the North London rivalry isn't as heated as the Sheffield derby. Fans of both Arsenal and Spurs will watch the derby together in pubs with one side been Spurs and one for Arsenal. I would doubt there are many, if any pubs like that in Sheffield, unless they're not really football pubs.

Nottingham is like the Birmingham derby in that County are just considered peasants by Forest fans, and not even a rival. Bristol is a surprisingly strong rivalry that is similar to Sheffield in terms of the disdain they have for each team, but they don't get the crowds we do for their derby games.

Liverpool is a friendlier rivalry than the Sheffield derby, but in that respect the Liverpool derby is unique because they both value each other as Liverpudlians, whereas we just despise Wednesday and vice versa, even though they are Sheffielders - the worst kind though!

That leaves the North East derby, which in my view is the strongest rivalry in England. Its probably due to the lack of sporting alternatives there are up there. There is no strong support for any other sport than football, and there is no other team nearby, whereas we have lots of other smaller clubs who support their smaller team, rather than the two Sheffield teams. That's just my view and that doesn't downgrade the Sheffield derby in my view.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I reckon that the Sheffield derby is the fiercest in the country outside of the old firm.

Which is not in the same country!

 

[SwissBlade]

botoble & Booker4 for me, because Newcastle and Sunderland are both (now) two cities, its almost the same as Barnsley v Pigs or Blades, local rivals, however strong, but not an Actual Derby.

I stand corrected on Manchester too, I should've thought better about that seeing as i was at Uni in Salford.

 

[Booker4]

botoble & Booker4 for me, because Newcastle and Sunderland are both (now) two cities, its almost the same as Barnsley v Pigs or Blades, local rivals, however strong, but not an Actual Derby.

I stand corrected on Manchester too, I should've thought better about that seeing as i was at Uni in Salford.

Does a derby have to be between one city though? If so you're got a point.

 

[BushBlade]

I'd say its stronger than many think it is, but not the strongest in England. The Sheffield derby is in my view more of a rivalry than the Manchester and Birmingham derbies, because in Manchester both Manchester teams despise Liverpool as much, if not more than their local Manchester rival. In Birmingham, Villa are less bothered about City than the other way round in my view, although they might disagree.

Spurs and Arsenal have a strong rivalry but from speaking to fans of both that live in Sheffield. they say the North London rivalry isn't as heated as the Sheffield derby. Fans of both Arsenal and Spurs will watch the derby together in pubs with one side been Spurs and one for Arsenal. I would doubt there are many, if any pubs like that in Sheffield, unless they're not really football pubs.

Nottingham is like the Birmingham derby in that County are just considered peasants by Forest fans, and not even a rival. Bristol is a surprisingly strong rivalry that is similar to Sheffield in terms of the disdain they have for each team, but they don't get the crowds we do for their derby games.

Liverpool is a friendlier rivalry than the Sheffield derby, but in that respect the Liverpool derby is unique because they both value each other as Liverpudlians, whereas we just despise Wednesday and vice versa, even though they are Sheffielders - the worst kind though!

That leaves the North East derby, which in my view is the strongest rivalry in England. Its probably due to the lack of sporting alternatives there are up there. There is no strong support for any other sport than football, and there is no other team nearby, whereas we have lots of other smaller clubs who support their smaller team, rather than the two Sheffield teams. That's just my view and that doesn't downgrade the Sheffield derby in my view.

What's this Spurs v Arsenal supping together about? I've never heard of or seen this.

I'd suggest that if you talked to the hardcore support of any club about their local rivals you'll find they hate each other like we hate the pigs, be it Brum/Villa, Arsenal/Spurs, Millwall/West Ham or even Southampton/Pompey.

Ours is a great derby, ferocious, but what does it matter whether it's the most intense? The only thing that we should care about is being the best at football, the rest is just compensatory trivia.

 

[BushBlade]

botoble & Booker4 for me, because Newcastle and Sunderland are both (now) two cities, its almost the same as Barnsley v Pigs or Blades, local rivals, however strong, but not an Actual Derby.

I stand corrected on Manchester too, I should've thought better about that seeing as i was at Uni in Salford.

Can you put up a link that defines 'actual derby' please?

 

[Small Mendonca]

I think the rivalry has also grown as time has gone on. I've heard stories about coaches of mixed support leaving Sheffield for Wembley for the FA semi in 93 and fans of both teams spending the day together. Not a chance would that happen now. The met would have such a difficult job on their hands if us and pigs ever met at Wembley again.

 

[I should coco]

The only thing that we should care about is smashing the gobby twats, the rest is just compensatory trivia.

I've edited your main point to slightly tweak the relevant point.

Semantics I know, but it is important to have an eye for the detail.

 

[boo radley]

There is no other game like this one, apparently you never forget your first derby, but for me, i don't remember that many, not because i've been pissed, i just find that the games pass by so quickly as you bite your nails and watch the clock tick down, whether ahead, behind or level. You wish the game away, you wish for more time.

I don't think i've ever enjoyed a Derby with the pigs, but i've enjoyed hearing the final whistle a few times...

I will never forget mine. Although I'd love to. It gave rise to the worst song Blades fans sing. All about another teams famous victory over us.
The thing that will banish that is a thrashing for them in their shit tip.

 

[Kenilworth]

botoble & Booker4
I stand corrected on Manchester too, I should've thought better about that seeing as i was at Uni in Salford.

Uni, huh?

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Which is not in the same country!

Alright, England if you want to be pedantic about it.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

I'd say its stronger than many think it is, but not the strongest in England. The Sheffield derby is in my view more of a rivalry than the Manchester and Birmingham derbies, because in Manchester both Manchester teams despise Liverpool as much, if not more than their local Manchester rival. In Birmingham, Villa are less bothered about City than the other way round in my view, although they might disagree.

Spurs and Arsenal have a strong rivalry but from speaking to fans of both that live in Sheffield. they say the North London rivalry isn't as heated as the Sheffield derby. Fans of both Arsenal and Spurs will watch the derby together in pubs with one side been Spurs and one for Arsenal. I would doubt there are many, if any pubs like that in Sheffield, unless they're not really football pubs.

Nottingham is like the Birmingham derby in that County are just considered peasants by Forest fans, and not even a rival. Bristol is a surprisingly strong rivalry that is similar to Sheffield in terms of the disdain they have for each team, but they don't get the crowds we do for their derby games.

Liverpool is a friendlier rivalry than the Sheffield derby, but in that respect the Liverpool derby is unique because they both value each other as Liverpudlians, whereas we just despise Wednesday and vice versa, even though they are Sheffielders - the worst kind though!

That leaves the North East derby, which in my view is the strongest rivalry in England. Its probably due to the lack of sporting alternatives there are up there. There is no strong support for any other sport than football, and there is no other team nearby, whereas we have lots of other smaller clubs who support their smaller team, rather than the two Sheffield teams. That's just my view and that doesn't downgrade the Sheffield derby in my view.

Good post. I would add a couple.

Southampton / Portsmouth is a very fierce rivalry but doesn't get much mainstream attention and they haven't played much I years.

Cardiff / Swansea very similar to the above too.

 

[BushBlade]

I've edited your main point to slightly tweak the relevant point.

Semantics I know, but it is important to have an eye for the detail.

No, I mean being the best in the country, not just the best in Sheffield. That's what really matters, that should be the ultimate aim. Them lot are just a bit of shit on my shoe that I'll wipe off before I go indoors. Losing to them would be like forgetting to wipe it off and trailing shit into the house. Messy, unpleasant and really fucking annoying but I'll get over it.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Good post. I would add a couple.

Southampton / Portsmouth is a very fierce rivalry but doesn't get much mainstream attention and they haven't played much I years.

Cardiff / Swansea very similar to the above too.

Burnley and Blackburn reckon to hate each other as well I believe.

I think the wankest rivalry is between Brighton and Crystal Palace. Nobody really cares about either of them so they chose eachother. Bless.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I think the rivalry has also grown as time has gone on. I've heard stories about coaches of mixed support leaving Sheffield for Wembley for the FA semi in 93 and fans of both teams spending the day together. Not a chance would that happen now. The met would have such a difficult job on their hands if us and pigs ever met at Wembley again.

There were mixed coaches going down, and mixed cars and I saw a mixed motorcycle I think the driver was a pig and the pillion rider a Blade.

 

[bornandbred]

As far as I'm concerned,there is only one Derby that matters and that is the one between United and that other lot.And yes, Derbies have to be between teams from the same Town or City.That's my take anyway.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I think it's a load of bollocks when they try ranking football rivalries by order of "intensity".
Someone who supports Celtic/Rangers or Newcastle/Sunderland cannot tell me that they hate their rivals more than I hate the Pigs, or what they feel inside is stronger when they win or lose.

In my subjective world, a derby in my home city is the biggest deal on earth.