Hottest clashes

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Quelle: bbc.co.uk/sport

Rangers vs. Celtic

The Glasgow derby is one of the most fiercely contested and controversial matches in the world.

The rivalry that exists between the 'Old Firm' is intense but what separates it from other derbies is race and religion.



In the beginning

Celtic were formed in 1888 in the East End of the city by Glasgow's large immigrant Irish population as a way of raising money for Catholic charities.

Much of the Irish community were crowded into slums and were widely discriminated against due to their foreign status and willingness to take work at low pay.

This was seen to undercut the mainly Protestant native Glaswegians.

With a huge fan base and players taken from the Catholic club in Edinburgh, Hibernian, Celtic soon became a rival to the well-established Rangers football club across the city in Govan.


What's all the fuss about?

Rangers didn't start out as a Protestant-only club and Celtic have fielded non-Catholic players from the earliest days.

Celtic were seen as a Catholic club for Catholics, which led to Rangers, with their mainly Protestant following, adopting a staunch anti-Catholic approach.

Many fans were prejudiced against Celtic's Irish following and the frequent rioting of Celtic's support didn't help their image.

It wasn't until the Graeme Souness era in 1989 that Rangers actually signed a Catholic player, when Mo Johnston, a former Celtic player, crossed the divide.

TV pictures at the time showed outraged Rangers fans burning their season tickets!


Have things improved?

Rangers have since fielded a number of Catholic players and the huge Ibrox support rises to applaud the efforts of all players in blue, regardless of their background.

Some bad feeling though does exist on the terraces. And the same goes for the other side of Glasgow, despite the best efforts of both clubs.


The quality on show

Both clubs dominate Scottish football and have teams littered with international players.

Neither team have too many local players these days, but the crowd are still just as passionate about this match.

Everton vs. Liverpool

The River Mersey runs red and blue - red for Liverpool and blue for Everton.
The river might split the city but the fans of these rival clubs have traditionally been good neighbours.

The two sides met in a typically frenetic derby at Goddison Park on Saturday, with Michael Owen and Danny Murphy on target as the Reds ran out winners.


How did the rivalry start?

The all too familiar story of a fall out over cash led to the birth of Liverpool Football Club.

It was Everton who played their football at Anfield until an argument about rent in 1892.

The club decided to move to Goodison Park while the owner of Anfield drafted in a handful of Scottish players to form his own club, Liverpool.

The two clubs are now just a mile away from each other across Stanley Park.


Does everybody need good neighbours?

The grounds are so close a wayward goal-kick from Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek could end up in the back of the Goodison net!

But does geographical closeness leave rival fans bitter or united?

In the early days Merseyside derbies were famous for scenes of the blue shirts of Everton fans sat shoulder to shoulder with red-shirted Liverpool fans.

Families would often be split with Evertonian dads and Liverpool mad sons.

There was a real sense of community spirit between the two clubs after the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans died during their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest played at the Sheffield Wednesday ground.

A chain of blue and red scarves stretched across Stanley Park in their memory.

But the changing fortunes of the city's teams saw temperatures rise between rival supporters.

While Liverpool went from strength to strength winning the treble in 2000/01, Everton flirted with relegation.

On the other hand some Liverpool fans argue that the rivalry with Manchester United fans is more intense.

They reckon Man Utd are more realistic title rivals than Everton - but are they right this season?


Is this season's Merseyside derby just about pride?

Things are hotting up on Merseyside as Everton enjoy the comfort of fifth position in the table - one point above Liverpool.

With the sides so close in the table the match is all about points.

And points equal Premiership prizes as well as local pride.

City vs. United

After years in the doldrums, Manchester City have found themselves back in the big time.

Being part of the Premiership party allows them to have a regular crack at their illustrious neighbours from Old Trafford. Let battle commence!


The rivalry

It's arguably the biggest local rivalry in England, it has been compared to Celtic v Rangers without the religious undertones.

Both have always been big clubs and believe it or not City were the more successful of the two during the 1950s and the early 70s.

Since City's relegation in the early 80's and United's success in the 90's the Reds have had more to boast about than City ever had, despite the Blues relegating United in the early 70s.

Denis Law was the man who scored the decisive goal for City after previously being the darling of Old Trafford.

On Merseyside familes can be split, with one brother supporting Liverpool and the other Everton, but not in Manchester, you are either a blue family or a red family.


Is it really a derby?

"You don't come from Manchester!" It's the favourite chant of City fans.

The Blues are recognised as the Manchester club and their fans make sure everyone knows it.

The fact that Old Trafford lies outisde the boundaries of Manchester City Council gives them further ammunition.

Mostly Manchester people support City, and United's fans come from all arts and parts

But that doesn't stop the game being one of the most fiercely contested derbys in the World of football.


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