[Albion] El Gatwicko

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worthingseagull

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2011
1,613
Found this

" Why is a match between two teams from the same town called a "derby"?

According to the Wimbledon FootballSupporters' Handbook, Shrove Tuesday games began in the 18th century. The most famous took place in Derby when the young men of the parish of All Saints challenged those from nearby St Peter's. All men over the age of 18 took part in the event, trying to force the ball from one parish border over into the other. In 1731 the mayor made an unsuccessful attempt to suppress the game as it was becoming popular and usually ended in injury and violence. In 1848, troops were called in to cease the event. From then on the name 'local Derby' was attributed to any football match played with fierce partisanship between, usually (but not exclusively) neighbouring clubs.

As time has passed, these days a derby is not necessarily a match between two teams from the same town, but just the nearest and bitterest local rivals. To qualify, the two teams in question need to have some prospect of ever playing each other on a regular basis (for example, Newcastle United and Gateshead are not considered great local rivals despite being closer together than Newcastle and Sunderland, as the clubs are too many divisions apart).
 




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