Five forgotten English derbies we need to see again

Five forgotten English derbies we need to see again

In the world of football, there is nothing that quite compares to a derby game. They are fixtures that mean more than three points, where emotions of all kind can get spilled out at any time and where the best and worst memories can be made.

Whilst English derbies may not see the pyro or tifo displays seen across the world, the fierceness in the atmosphere before, during and after the games make up for it, there’s plenty of brilliant derbies across the country, but some have been lost to time in recent years. Here are five fixtures which we haven’t seen for a while which we need to see again.

Aston Villa vs Birmingham City

A fixture that divides England’s second most populated city, few rivalries across the country can match the intensity of the Second City Derby. Animosity reaches new heights when Aston Villa and Birmingham City meet, with bragging rights across Birmingham at stake.

Aston Villa, from the northern area of Aston, approximately 1.5 miles from central Birmingham. One of English football’s oldest and finest clubs who can boast a European Cup win in 1982 as their crown jewel, versus Birmingham City. A club who may not have the honours of their city rivals but who carry the name of their city and have a deep, proud and passionate support.

Tension and passion is always on display in these games, but it reached new heights in a meeting at St. Andrews in March 2019, where in the first half then Villa captain Jack Grealish was shockingly physically attacked by a Birmingham fan who had ran onto the pitch in a flush of anger.

It was a shocking scene, even for this fixture, but Grealish would go on to have the last laugh, as the Villa skipper would fire home a second half winner to earn Villa a famous derby win at the home of the greatest rivals.

TWO YEARS AGO TODAY: The full events of THAT crazy Second City derby...

Safe to say Grealish had the last laugh! 😅

📹 @Super6 pic.twitter.com/YHLaR8lTFA

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 10, 2021

That particular game remains the last meeting between the two, but Birmingham’s recent rise under new owners could see the fixture return sooner rather than later

West Ham United vs Millwall

A fixture that defines an older age of English football. West Ham vs Millwall – commonly referred to as ‘the Dockers Derby’ is a fixture unlike any other in the country, and one that always has the potential for scenes of many different kinds.

Two clubs from East London defined by their working-class roots and each having a fanbase with a reputation for being particularly intense and fierce, any meeting between these two is bound to cause fireworks both on and off the pitch.

However, the two haven’t met since 2012, a February meeting at West Ham’s old stadium Upton Park, where the Hammers achieved a 2-1 victory on their way to promotion to the Premier League. Where they have stayed since, tasting European glory along the way whilst Millwall have cemented themselves as Championship regulars following a period in the third tier.

On this day in 2009 West Ham beat Millwall 3-1 (a.e.t) in a League Cup 2nd Round tie at Upton Park in front of 24,492.

On a ill tempered night Junior Stanislas scored two goals with @Official_ZHines getting the other

pic.twitter.com/7w90w9LagT

— VINNYWHUFC (@vinnywhufc) August 25, 2023

Despite that, West Ham’s early struggles in the 25/26 season could lead to relegation, where their old rivals the Lions will be waiting in the second tier. You won’t want to miss it if it does happen.

Bristol City vs Bristol Rovers

Bristol, the most populous city in the south-west region of England is famous for it’s art, culture and architecture. However, the city is also home to two proud professional football clubs, and one deep rooted rivalry.

Bristol City, founded in 1894 and call Ashton Gate stadium their home, are undoubtedly the more popular of the two clubs in the city, however, haven’t tasted top-flight league action since relegation in 1980. And have since spent years in both the second and third tiers of English football.

Rivals Bristol Rovers, meanwhile, are the older team out of the two, being found in 1883. However, they have never been in the top division and were as low as the Conference Premier division in 2014, whilst Bristol City were fighting for promotion for League One and have almost always been ahead of their local rivals.

As a result, meetings between the two have been rare in modern times. The last meeting being in 2013, where City took the bragging rights. But when it does happen it’s bound to cause headlines.

Stoke City vs Port Vale

Due to the nature of Port Vale’s name and it’s origin, many may not be familiar of the Potteries derby, but it’s one that always causes fireworks in the rare occasion it comes around.

Stoke City – the most popular club in the city of Stoke-On-Trent – are one of the founding members of the football league and one of the oldest clubs in the country and have spent the majority of their existence in the top two tiers of the English pyramid.

Port Vale however, one of only two professional English clubs not named after a place and are based in the Northern suburb of the city Burslem, have mostly found themselves in a lower division to that of their city rivals. With the two only meeting competitively on 92 occasions.

#OnThisDay 23/9/89
STOKE CITY 1, PORT VALE 1
Palin Earle

🎥….the first Potteries Derby for 32yrs ended all square in old Div2 at the Victoria Ground. Jubilant scenes in the away end as Robbie Earle put Vale ahead. #portvale #pvfc pic.twitter.com/H3pnGlE6bL

— pvfcprogs (@pvfcprogs) September 23, 2024

Despite that, the rivalry is deeply felt, and the feelings between the two were on display for all to see in 2018, where a meeting between Port Vale’s first team and Stoke City’s U21’s saw 11 arrested and heavy damage made to Vale Park from supporters.

The last competitive first team meeting between the two was way back in 2002, but with the two clubs in separate divisions there is not much sign of a recent meeting, unless they meet with the luck of a cup draw.

Nottingham Forest vs Derby County

The East Midlands derby, a rivalry and fixture unique for multiple reasons which makes it stand out amongst many English football derbies.

Two clubs from different neighbouring cites who each can boast a long, proud history. Nottingham Forest, one of the oldest clubs in England, can point to back-to-back European Cup wins in 1979 and 1980 as one of the greatest achievements ever made by an English club.

Meanwhile Derby County, a football league founding member can also point to past success, who’s golden age of the early 1970’s saw two top flight division titles, but what makes this rivalry unique is the man who masterminded both achievements for both clubs.

Brian Clough, a legendary forward for Middlesbrough in his playing days, became manager of Derby County in 1967 and in a six-year spell he took the club from the second division to champions of the top flight for the first time in their history. Later in his career, he took the job at Nottingham Forest and became a god in Nottingham. Winning two European cups, two league cups and also making Forest league champions for the first time ever.

Since then, meetings between Derby and Forest have taken new heights, with the Brian Clough trophy being presented to the winner of each meeting in honour of the man who brought such unprecedented success to two local rivals.

Nottingham Forest🌳

Ben Osborn vs Derby (2015)

Ben Osborn scored an absolute PEACH of a goal in the 92nd minute to secure bragging rights over their fierce rivals Derby County. CARNAGE in the away end😍🤩

Chosen by @nottm_forest #NFFC

pic.twitter.com/vUbXEqil27

— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) August 7, 2024

The two sides have occupied different worlds since their last meeting in 2022, Forest have won promotion to the Premier League and qualified for Europe, whilst Derby are back in the second tier following a brief spell in League One. A meeting between the two may seem far off, but it’s one we need to see again to see who takes home the Brian Clough trophy.