Is The Steel City Derby England’s Most Fierce Rivalry?

Sheffield – an industrial city situated in South Yorkshire, renowned for its steel production, working culture and vibrant music scene. It is also a city divided by two of the most historic football teams in the whole country: Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United.

One half blue, the other red, Sheffield has a footballing affair proved unpleasant from generations of allegiance, animosity and attachment. Despite being a rivalry that often reaches the headlines for the wrong reasons, it is one that is a true demonstration of the escapism a 90-minute football match can bring to its beholders. When 30,000 anxious fans tick through the archaic turnstiles of Hillsborough on Sunday afternoon, the Steel City will be put to sleep until that final whistle is blown and the next set of bragging rights have been allocated.

The History

The Steel City Derby is a feud dating back over 130 years. Ever since the two Sheffielders first went head-to-head in 1891, it has been the fixture all Wednesdayites and Blades highlight earliest in their calendars. With both teams consistently hovering across England’s top two divisions for the majority of their lifetimes, the rivals have collided a staggering 145 times. Sheffield United victorious for the best of those matches with 50 wins against their South Yorkshire counterpart.

Sheffield Wednesday versus Sheffield United has always been a staple fixture of English football history. Although, it has often been severely overlooked by the seniority of the Premier League – with the front pages and television coverage all fixating around the rivalries of England’s most elite, reading them more like movie scripts than football matches. The one thing you cannot take away from the the Steel City Derby is the raw eagerness of each team to get right down to the nitty-gritty to bring three points back to their faithfuls in any way they can; an attribute that made us all fall in love with the beautiful game.

Next up, the Steel City derby ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/2zZjf3fqYZ

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 13, 2025

Although this vintage matchup is one that signifies the importance of football to a city, it is one, like most derbies, that has been ridden with relentless antics over the years – and not just the typical playground name-calling. Since these two teams last met in November, South Yorkshire Police have identified 22 individuals for several acts of disorder at the match, implementing football banning orders to each of them. Among other things, CCTV also captured a 32-year-old man get assaulted in Sheffield City Centre the same afternoon. An issue in football culture that continuously requires prevention.

A Look Ahead To Sunday

All eyes are on Sunday afternoon as the iconic Hillsborough Stadium will host Sheffield Wednesday versus Sheffield United in the EFL Championship. The Blades currently occupy second position in the table, so Sheffield Wednesday are tasked with the burden of keeping a hungry United side under wraps. However, it is not easy to disregard the doubled pressure for Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United going into this match; they are trailing two points off top spot behind fellow Yorkshiremen Leeds United, so cannot afford to drop points at Hillsborough. Also, the Blades will have been extremely disappointed to have conceded a late equaliser to Bristol City on Tuesday night, therefore need to get back on track from this derby.

As for the Owls, manager Danny Röhl has elevated them to 11th after winning back-to-back games against Norwich and Plymouth. Playoffs is still an aspiration for Wednesday, however being five points astray from the top six, their one true aim for Sunday will be to paint the town blue.

🗣️ Barry Bannan on the Steel City derby: "People say it's just another game but's it's not, it means more to the people in Sheffield so we know what's at stake.

"The most important thing is to stick to the game plan and not get caught up with the noise from outside." #SWFC 🦉⚽️ pic.twitter.com/NsTdPT6eXi

— Dom Howson (@domhowson) March 14, 2025

There are certain players that could be the key for either team in this fixture. The attacking prowess of Josh Windass cannot be ignored – 11 goals in the league for Sheffield Wednesday this season, he is certainly a player who can be the difference. Although, anyone that has watched the Championship this season knows what Gustavo Hamer is all about. After setting the league alight at Coventry, the Dutchman thought he’d recreate old times on his Championship return with Sheffield United. The Blades midfield spark has seven goals and five assists in the second division this season, being a pivotal reason why his team are staring down the barrel of a Premier League return.

Last Time Out

It was the red side of Sheffield that earned the bragging rights when these competitors last met at Bramall Lane in November. The game was won 1-0 by Sheffield United on remembrance weekend, with striker Tyrese Campbell showing glimpses of his late father Kevin when he slotted the ball past James Beadle to break the deadlock.

TYRESE CAMPBELL PUTS SHEFFIELD UNITED AHEAD IN THE STEEL CITY DERBY! 👀🤩
pic.twitter.com/2rQSjB4juA

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) November 10, 2024

For a matter of fact, Sheffield Wednesday have not been victorious in this derby since February 2012. Since then, the fixture has provided either goalless draws or ecstasy for the Blades. Therefore, Wednesday must make this one count.