The Steel City Derby
The first game between the two sides took place at Olive Grove on the 15th December 1890, which Wednesday won 2-1. Although this was simply a friendly game it was the beginning of a long lasting and hard fought rivalry between the two sides.
Police clash with Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday fans at the steel city derby in April 2008 after Wednesday went 2-0 up at Bramall Lane.
It is these kinds of images that give a prime example of the passion that comes with the steel city derby.
Although the Steel city derby has not been contested on such a regular basis as other northern derbies such as, Liverpool v Everton or Manchester United v Manchester City, there is no denying the ferocity of the rivalry between the two clubs. The fact that the two teams have not regularly been in the same league as each other has denied the derby the chance to be one of the most renowned in world football. In fact the teams have only met 125 occasions in all competitions, which is surprising given the fact that they are two of the oldest teams in the country.
Although the Steel city derby has not been contested on such a regular basis as other northern derbies such as, Liverpool v Everton or Manchester United v Manchester City, there is no denying the ferocity of the rivalry between the two clubs. The fact that the two teams have not regularly been in the same league as each other has denied the derby the chance to be one of the most renowned in world football. In fact the teams have only met 125 occasions in all competitions, which is surprising given the fact that they are two of the oldest teams in the country.
Three Classic Encounters
8th September, 1951. Sheffield United 7-3 Sheffield Wednesday
This is one of the most memorable matches, for united fans anyway, in steel city derbies. It is the biggest victory to be recorded for Sheffield United over their city rivals. The score was 2-1 to united at half time in a tightly contested game. Wednesday then equalised through Dennis Woodhead before United romped to victory with a number of goals in quick succession with united scoring a late consolation goal.
26th December, 1979. Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 Sheffield United (The Boxing Day Massacre)
This is a victory that remains strong in most Wednesday supporter’s minds as it is the biggest victory they have ever secured over their city rivals and it came when United were sitting top of the Division 3 table. Goals from Ian Mellor, Terry Curran, Mark Smith and Jeff King eased Wednesday to victory.
3rd April, 1993. F.A. Cup Semi-Final- Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Sheffield United
When the two teams met at Wembley for this F.A. Cup Semi-Final they served up a classic of a game. Wednesday legend Chris Waddle opened the scoring with a screamer of a free kick from 30 yards. This was cancelled out by a well executed finish from United striker Alan Cork, which saw the game go to extra time. With the game heading towards penalties Mark Bright headed in at the near post from a corner to send the Wednesday fans into raptures.
This is one of the most memorable matches, for united fans anyway, in steel city derbies. It is the biggest victory to be recorded for Sheffield United over their city rivals. The score was 2-1 to united at half time in a tightly contested game. Wednesday then equalised through Dennis Woodhead before United romped to victory with a number of goals in quick succession with united scoring a late consolation goal.
26th December, 1979. Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 Sheffield United (The Boxing Day Massacre)
This is a victory that remains strong in most Wednesday supporter’s minds as it is the biggest victory they have ever secured over their city rivals and it came when United were sitting top of the Division 3 table. Goals from Ian Mellor, Terry Curran, Mark Smith and Jeff King eased Wednesday to victory.
3rd April, 1993. F.A. Cup Semi-Final- Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Sheffield United
When the two teams met at Wembley for this F.A. Cup Semi-Final they served up a classic of a game. Wednesday legend Chris Waddle opened the scoring with a screamer of a free kick from 30 yards. This was cancelled out by a well executed finish from United striker Alan Cork, which saw the game go to extra time. With the game heading towards penalties Mark Bright headed in at the near post from a corner to send the Wednesday fans into raptures.
The passion that is shown in the games between these two historic sides sums up the greatness of football in the north of England, which can also be seen in other northern city derbies, such as the Manchester derby, the Merseyside Derby and the Tyne-Wear Derby.
