Not sure if this has been posted before. According to this report West Brom v Wolves is the fiercest rivalry in England and apparently Macclesfield v Stockport is fiercer than Chelsea v Spurs or Leeds. :)

http://www.footballpools.com/football-fever/index.html

Right, an interesting read,thanks!

They claim they based their list using this system

• the survey responses of both sets of fans
  
• the respective league and cup records of the two clubs
  
• the regularity of league and cup meetings between the rivals
  
• the two clubs' records when playing each other
  
• the impact on attendances when they meet
  
• transfers between the clubs, and fans' reactions to those transfers
  
• off-the-field factors, such as media coverage of the rivalry
  

Some of these factors I dont really rate,like the regularity matches.

For me the real BIG hated rivalries in England are...........

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER :)

Arsenal v Sp*rs

Sp*rs v Chelsea

West H*m v Millwall

Palace v Brighton

L*eds v Chelsea

Brum v Villa

Newcastle v Sunderland

L*verpool v M*n utd

Sheff Weds v Sheff Utd

Le*ds v M*n Utd

Millwall v Palace

Wolves v West Brom

City v M*n Utd

No Everton v Liverpool cos they are as thick as thieves!!

I forgot the East anglia derby!!!

Can anyone think of anymore traditional derbies!!??

'NAARRREEEECH'.........NORWICH

Edited July 29, 200816 yr by glory55

How dare they. Cardiff and Swansea are both in the English league, why isn't that down?

The rivalry between them is absolutely huge. The Championship with them 2 playing eachother twice next year will be hell.

I forgot the East anglia derby!!!

Can anyone think of anymore traditional derbies!!??

'NAARRREEEECH'.........NORWICH

Pompey vs Southampton

There is a fierce rivalry in the Egyptian league between Al-Ahly & Zamalek that has gotten so bad they no longer can play each other at one stadium or another, they go to a neutral ground. Also traffic is redirected so the opposing fans don't drive near each other leaving the game. No body trusts anyone so referees must be flown in from other countries to ensure they haven't been bribed.

Also Celtic vs Rangers pretty huge I know these aren't in England but huge rivalries.

that Egypt one sounds, nuts, but for me the biggest rivalry is gers V the Tic

It's just one huge rivalry and unfortunately involvrs more than just football...politics, religion..... can't think of any others that do that

i guess you could also add

Preston v Blackpool

Burnley v Blackburn

Sheff Wed v Sheff Utd

Torquay v Exeter

stoke city v port vale

thers madness in the air for weeks before this one

I think the Balkans hit hard on the rivalry theme:

Red Star Belgrad vs Partizan Belgrade

Hajduk Split vs Dinamo Zagreb

(or any combination between those four teams)

Fenerbace vs Galatasaray

But I guess most of them are strictly political or regional. Loved the show The Real Football Factories, really shows the rivalries on the fan/hooligan point of view.

I've heard the Belgrade derby is crazy, was that the one where the visiting side supporters burnt down their visitors section of the stadium?

This is all gurlee stuff - you want rivalry you should get along to Yorkley Athletic vs Internazionale Cinderford - Then you'll see it all kick off. I even saw someone throw a crisp packet onto the pitch once. (Though his mum made him go and pick it up at half time.

CFCNet vs The Shed End

Very much on topic, this book looks like a must read:

Mad for It: From Blackpool to Barcelona: Football's Greatest Rivalries

by Andy Mitten

Synopsis

A celebration of the classic football derby matches. From the Celtic--Rangers rivalry and Tyneside derby to the biggest global clashes from Barcelona to Buenos Aires, journalist Andy Mitten uses the fans' own words and stories to illuminate the conflicts, tensions, histories and culture behind these fascinating games. From Belfast to Barcelona, Buenos Aires to Bogota, these are football matches that are far more than a game. Often a microcosm of life in a city, there are countless rivalries between clubs which are steeped in a historical enmity based on class, religion, politics, envy or philosophy. Some of the games, like Rangers v Celtic, are renowned for their vocal sectarianism, others like Tenerife v Las Palmas for their eclectic fan base, while little or nothing is known about the derbies in Cairo and Calcutta which attracts twice as many fans as any Old Firm clash.Andy Mitten journeys across the UK and the far-flung regions of planet football, talking to a host of passionate fans -- from the vividly ordinary, working-class supporters to the corporate box brigade who think nothing of hopping on a plane for their weekend jaunt to the exotic cities of Madrid, Barcelona or Milan -- and gets to share their highs and lows.

This in turn provides a fresh and revealing insight into the people who make these matches matter -- the fans -- using their own words and stories to illuminate the conflicts, tension and histories behind the games. He also interviews players, managers, politicians, local journalists and agents drawing out differing opinions and perspectives on the beautiful game. Among the highlights: Celtic v Rangers, Man Utd v Liverpool, Cliftonville v Linfield, Sunderland v Newcastle, Preston v Blackpool, Barcelona v Real Madrid, Roma v Lazio, Boca Juniors v River Plate, Fenerbache v Galatasaray, Ajax v Feyenoord, the Faroe Islands derby, the Calcutta Derby, and the worst derby on the planet, alongside many more.

From the Inside Flap

From Belfast to Barcelona, Blackpool to Buenos Aires, there are football matches that are far more than a game.

Often a microcosm of life in a city, there exist countless rivalries between clubs that are steeped in historical enmity based on class, religion, politics, or philosophy. Some of the games, like Rangers v Celtic, are renowned for their vocal sectarianism, others like Tenerife v Las Palmas for their eclectic fanbase, while little or nothing is known about derbies in Cairo or Calcutta which attract twice as many fans as any Old Firm clash.

Andy Mitten journeys across the UK and the the far-flung regions of planet football, talking to managers, players, backroom staff, local journalists and, crucially, to a host of passionate fans - from the vividly ordinary, working-class supporters to the well-heeled jet-set who find their regular football fix in exotic cities like Madrid, Rome or Milan - and gets to share their highs and lows.

Published in association with FourFourTwo Magazine, Mad For It provides a fresh and revealing insight into the people who makes these matches matter - the fans - using their own words and stories to illuminate the conflicts, tensions, histories and celebrations behind these unforgettable games.

Rushden & Diamonds v Kettering. Last time they met some fans invaded the away team bus. Devils eh?

Pompey v Southampton is fierce and violent.

Right up there with Rangers v celtic for sheer hatred..if not numbers.

River Plate versus Boca Juniors aka Superclásico.