Local Derbies

[The Coon Dog]

What’s your favourite local derby?

Derbies are the most eagerly awaited games when a fixture is released in any year. Ask a fan which game they first looked for & they’ll pretty much all tell you that the local derby is the first one they look for.

Which of the derbies do you most eagerly await & wouldn’t miss watching?

Being a Liverpool fan I can’t wait for the Merseyside Derby against Everton (the Blue Shite!). The Merseyside Derby is unique in that many families are split with some being Reds who follow Liverpool & others being Toffees who follow Everton.

A win in a local derby ensures you have bragging rights for weeks.

I have a friend who is a mad Villa fan & the results he awaits each week are his beloved Villa & that of Birmingham in the hope they suffer a loss.

I have a sadistic mate who follows Arsenal & he’d love nothing better than to see Spurs relegated, but only for one season he tells me. He’d miss beating them too much, but here’s how he thinks. If they were promoted it would have to be as a result of finishing second. No way could he stomach Spurs winning the Championship to be promoted, nor winning a play off final at Wembley.

What are some of your favourite derby memories/games?

[Chops]

What about Inter v Milan, Lazio v Roma and Torino v Juventus?

[The Coon Dog]

What about Inter v Milan, Lazio v Roma and Torino v Juventus?
Given I don't really watch Serie A, that's where you come into play Ernesto!

[bornadog]

England versus Australia - ashes

[The Coon Dog]

Time to get a greater understading from those with first hand experience. 'Winks at craigsahibee'

[craigsahibee]

As a follwer of British Football, I believe they have the rest of the world covered when it comes to Derbies.

January 2nd 2003.

Tynecastle Stadium - Edinburgh

Hearts vs Hibernian

As far as European teams go, these two are just minnows but the passion generated from this game was incredible. The stadium only seats 18,000 people, but those 18,000 made as much noise as an Anzac Day crowd at the G. (I refuse to go to a Grand Final unless the Doggies are participating so I don't know how loud a GF crowd is). I was at Old Trafford only two weeks prior to this where 65,000 fans saw Man Utd vs. West Ham Utd and the Tynecastle crowd smashed them for noise and atmosphere.

It certainly helps when the four stands smother the pitch but the noise was just incredible.

Even walking to the ground you could sense that this was a special occasion.

Hearts and Hibs have a long standing tradition of playing a New Year Derby, and like mentioned earlier in this thread, it's these games that the fans want to win to claim the bragging rights. Depending on positions on the table and cup fixtures etc, it's possible that these two teams could play each other up to six times in a season yet the anticipation does not wane as each match comes around.

On this particular day Hibs were leading 4 - 2 after 92 mins. This was too much for some of the Hearts faithfull and they began to exit the stadium, no doubt dreading rolling up to work the next day and having to face their Hibee loving workmates.

For the remaining supporters can you imagine their joy when Hearts scored twice in the remaining 42 seconds to draw the match. Scoring a late goal to win or draw any match is exciting but in a derby, well that is something that turns a player from "much loved" by his supporters to "legend" status and ensures he will never have to pay for a drink in that town ever again. Graham Weir is not a household name in International Football, but I have no doubt that in early October of 2003 there will have been a lot of new born baby boys around the Edinburgh area (and possibly the odd girl) named Graham.

What also needs to be considered is after 88 minutes it was 2 all. Hibs scored in the 89th and 92nd minutes to all but win the game.

One sporting event that I will truly never forget.

[Chops]

The stadium only seats 18,000 people, but those 18,000 made as much noise as an Anzac Day crowd at the G. (I refuse to go to a Grand Final unless the Doggies are participating so I don't know how loud a GF crowd is).


A Football(soccer) crowd atmosphere beats the equivalent crowd or more at an AFL match every time. I've been to AFL games of 90K but I believe there were a few 15K crowd at Olympic park in Victory's first season that had a better atmosphere.

[westdog54]

For some reason I can't vote on the poll, but I don't think there's much to rival the passion/energy/hatred generated by a Merseyside Derby.

[ledge]

Totty Baps v Barkly St.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Last home and away round of 1981, Melton South v Melton.

Melton South is bottom by % and Melton is top. If Melton South lose they will be relegated and with their dicey financial situation at the time would lose sponsors and could very well have folded.

South come out all guns blazing and by 1/4 time are up by 8 goals!

The Bloods gradually start to get on top and with minutes to go trail by just 4 points. Melton's 17 yo gun, Keith Baker (who would go on to play reserves at Geelong and with West Torrens) takes a hangar in the goal square and as he hits the gound Melton South veteran Don McIntyre (who woul go on to be league secretary) drops him.

A riot ensues and, fearing for their safety, the umpires bolt under police protection.

The game is called off and officially a draw. The 2 pts save South from relegation and they go on to make the 1982 grand final.

[KT31]

Willy v's Port

[ledge]

Last home and away round of 1981, Melton South v Melton.

Melton South is bottom by % and Melton is top. If Melton South lose they will be relegated and with their dicey financial situation at the time would lose sponsors and could very well have folded.

South come out all guns blazing and by 1/4 time are up by 8 goals!

The Bloods gradually start to get on top and with minutes to go trail by just 4 points. Melton's 17 yo gun, Keith Baker (who would go on to play reserves at Geelong and with West Torrens) takes a hangar in the goal square and as he hits the gound Melton South veteran Don McIntyre (who woul go on to be league secretary) drops him.

A riot ensues and, fearing for their safety, the umpires bolt under police protection.

The game is called off and officially a draw. The 2 pts save South from relegation and they go on to make the 1982 grand final.

Forward 19 years Melton defeat Melton Sth by 138 points in the grand final, Delre in the goal square, Browny in the backline and the Stanley brothers, to mention a few ex AFL players in the Bloods side.