The Most Passionate Football Rivalries That Aren’t in the Spotlight

Football is the most popular sport in the world, with global megastars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi still among the biggest draws for fans. From lower leagues and grass-roots games, to multi-million pound players plying their trade in front of hundreds of thousands, the passion of the fans is what keeps games alive.

Home and away supporters can make a massive difference to how a club performs, and supporters spend thousands of pounds every year to follow their teams. But there are some games that stand out above all others, and these are derby fixtures.

These games spark massive interest and are typically televised, with interest from fans who want to see a competitive and feisty game played out. UK betting sites also benefit from increased viewing figures and typically offer a large market for fans to bet on.

Most derby matches are geographical, with rivalries against nearby towns and cities often sparking feuds between teams and their fans. Sometimes the success of clubs can create a deep rivalry, like that between Real Madrid and Barcelona, while politics and religion can also play a part.

One of, if not the biggest, rivalries in the world of football is the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic in Glasgow; a religious divide between the traditionally protestant Rangers and Catholic Celtic makes it one of the world’s top fixtures.

Despite rivalries like the Old Firm, Manchester United and Liverpool, West Ham and Millwall, and other major fixtures around the world, there are even more smaller fixtures you might not know about.

Beith Juniors vs Kilbirnie Ladeside

For many, the thought of Ayrshire in Scotland conjures images of rolling hillsides and stunning sea views, and this is correct for the most part. However, the Garnock Valley is home to a massive footballing rivalry between two towns with a joint population of around 14,000.

Separated by just 3 miles and sharing many of the same amenities, the two towns are openly hostile to each other, something that has been taken on by the fans of the two Junior (amateur) teams.

North Ayrshire is plagued by poverty, and the Garnock Valley is home to significant antisocial behaviours. The two clubs are in different leagues at the moment, but potential cup ties will still spark police action.

Northampton vs Peterborough

The Nene derby is played out between Northampton Town and Peterborough United, who are located in the East Midlands. Peterborough currently has the better record, having won 37 games compared with Northampton’s 24, with the clubs drawing 19 times. The clubs are currently both in the third tier of English football, League 1, with Northampton enjoying two victories last season, with a 2-1 home win and a 0-4 away massacre.

There is no love lost between fans, and the worst example of violence erupting between them came in 1974 when it was reported that around 500 fans converged at Northampton’s Abington Park and fought. With a stronger police presence since then, violence has been limited, but fans still hold that age-old grudge.

Greenock Morton vs St Mirren

While Glasgow’s Old Firm might hold the title as one of the world’s largest derbies, just a few miles along the M8 reveals another ferocious and hateful derby between Paisley’s St Mirren and Greenock’s Morton.

Despite around 20 miles and several towns being between them, this Renfrewshire derby sees fans coming from distinctly working-class areas. St Mirren have enjoyed the better record over the years, winning 76 compared with Morton’s 59, and St Mirren have spent longer in the top-flight too.

Hamburger SV vs St Pauli

The Hamburg rivalry only just sneaks into this list because the two clubs have had differing fortunes in recent years, dropping in and out of the Bundesliga. Hamburger SV and FC St Pauli are two clubs with distinctly different political leanings, with HSV traditionally a right-leaning club while St Pauli is more associated with the left. St Pauli’s skull and crossbones t-shirts are visible among protestors who want to be seen to be making a point, but in recent years, the lines have become more blurred.

Despite political affiliations softening, there is still a resounding hatred between the clubs, with the clubs’ Ultras fanbases regularly clashing. Of the 111 games, Hamburg are by far the more successful, winning 70 and losing just 24.

Rosario Central vs. Newell’s Old Boys

Argentina is one of the most passionate countries when it comes to football, and the Rosario derby between Rosario Central and Newell’s Old Boys. While the Buenos Aires derby is more famous around the world, this rivalry is no less fierce. Rosario currently edges the rivalry in wins and trophies, but the gap is narrow and ferociously fought.

Real Oviedo vs. Sporting Gijon

Spain is home to some world-famous derbies, but the Asturian Derby often goes under the radar. Both are located in the Asturias region of northwest Spain. Despite the rivalry, financial problems in 2000 saw both clubs consider the possibility of a merger, with the name Real Asturias being floated. Fans made it clear that they would not back this idea or the planned new stadium that would have been built between Gijon and Oviedo.

The clubs have met a total of 165 times, drawing 42, Real Oviedo winning 69, and Sporting Gijon winning 51. Real Oviedo currently plays in La Liga following a play-off win, while Sporting Gijon are in the Segunda Division, so matches will be limited for the foreseeable future.

Pisa vs. Livorno

When it comes to football and passion, there aren’t many better examples than Italy, and it has its fair share of great derbies, including Inter and AC Milan, Lazio and Roma, Hellas Verona and Vicenza, and Juventus vs Torino. However, the Derby Del Tirreno between Pisa and Livorno is one that many people outside the country are unaware of.

Located just 20 miles apart in Tuscany, the two clubs have shared mixed fortunes between the divisions, and their rivalry is rooted in history dating back to the 16th century.