Steel City derby

"Sheffield derby" redirects here. For the derby between Sheffield and Hallam, see Rules derby.
Steel City Derby

Pie chart showing the number of wins by each team
Locale Sheffield
Teams Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
Most recent meeting 26 February 2012
Wednesday 1–0 United
Statistics
Number of meetings 127
All-time series Sheffield United: 45
Drawn: 40
Sheffield Wednesday: 42
Largest victory United 7–3 Wednesday (1951)
Wednesday 4–0 United (1979)

The Steel City Derby (or Sheffield Derby) is a local derby that takes place between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, the two professional football league teams based in the city of Sheffield, England. It is widely considered one of the most passionate and hotly contested derby matches in English football.[1]

The teams have met competitively a total of 127 times, with United having won 3 more of the encounters than Wednesday. The latest Steel City Derby was played on 26 February 2012, when Wednesday won 1–0 at Hillsborough.

History

The teams first met on 15 December 1890 at Wednesday's Old Olive Grove ground. With The Wednesday playing a friendly match against the newly formed Sheffield United that the home team won 2–1.[2]

The first competitive Steel City Derby fixture took place on 16 October 1893 during the 1893–94 English Division 1 season (following United's promotion the first Division the previous season), it ended 1–1.[3]

Most Steel City derbies have taken place in the top two tiers of English football, with only two seasons (1979–80 and 2011–12) in the third tier.

Recent games

2007–08 Championship league games

Comparative table positions of Sheff U and Wednesday in the English football league system.

The first of the two league games for the 2007–08 Championship league season was at Hillsborough on 19 January 2008 in front of a crowd of 30,486; Wednesday won 2–0 with goals from Akpo Sodje and Marcus Tudgay. The second match of the season was at Bramall Lane on Tuesday 8 April 2008 and saw United battle back from 2–0 down, to snatch a 2–2 draw in front of 31,760 fans.

2008–09 Championship league games

The first meeting of the two matches for the following season, the 2008–09 Championship season was held on 19 October 2008, at Hillsborough with a crowd of 30,441. Wednesday won 1–0 with a 35th minute volley from Steve Watson. This game also had a missed penalty by Deon Burton (saved by Paddy Kenny), and 2 red cards, Matthew Kilgallon got sent off for United before the goal and Jermaine Johnson got sent off for Wednesday midway through the second half after being substituted. The return game at Bramall Lane was on 7 February 2009, with Wednesday winning 2–1 thanks to goals from Tommy Spurr and Marcus Tudgay. This victory was Wednesday's first at Bramall Lane since 1967 and their first double victory over their city rivals for 95 years.

2009–10 Championship league games

On 18 September 2009 Sheffield United took a 3–0 lead against Sheffield Wednesday into half time, but two Owls goals in the second half allowed Wednesday back in. But the score finished 3–2 to United and earned Kevin Blackwell his first win against Sheffield Wednesday since joining the club.[4] The 125th Sheffield Derby played on 18 April at Hillsborough was drawn 1–1. Wednesday took the lead late in the first half form a Darren Potter volley, United equalized on the hour mark through a Lee Williamson shot.

2011–12 League One games

On the first derby game of the season on 16 October 2011 United gained a 2-0 lead, but Wednesday came back to make it 2-2 at Bramall Lane. The second game on 26 February 2012 at Hillsborough was important for both teams, since both sides were competing for promotion to the Championship. Wednesday took the full 3 points with a 1-0 win after goal from Chris O'Grady. The goal turned out to be crucial, since Wednesday eventually finished second in the table and gained promotion with 93 points, while United finished third with 90 points. United eventually failed to gain promotion after losing the Play-offs final to Huddersfield.

Summary of all competitive matches

Eligible competitions – Football League, Premier League, F.A. Cup, Football League Cup, Full Members Cup
As of 20:00 26 February 2012

Competition Games
played		 United
wins		 Drawn
games		 Wednesday
wins		 United
goals		 Wednesday
goals
League 114 42 36 36 156 147
FA Cup 9 3 3 3 14 13
League Cup 3 0 1 2 2 5
Full Members Cup 1 0 0 1 2 3
Totals 127 45 40 42 174 168

Statistics obtained from soccerbase.com *except for the Full Members Cup result.
This table excludes pre-season games, friendlies and testimonials (see below).

Matches played

League

Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United
Season
Division
Tier
Date
Venue
Score
Atten.
Date
Venue
Score
Atten.
1893-94 First Division 1 16.10.1893 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 13.11.1893 Olive Grove
1 – 2
1894-95 First Division 1 12.01.1895 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 27.10.1894 Olive Grove
2 – 3
1895-96 First Division 1 26.12.1895 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 07.09.1896 Olive Grove
1 – 0
1896-97 First Division 1 26.12.1896 Bramall Lane
2 – 0
 02.03.1897 Olive Grove
1 – 1
1897-98 First Division 1 27.12.1897 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 16.10.1897 Olive Grove
0 – 1
1898-99 First Division 1 26.12.1898 Bramall Lane
2 – 1
 03.10.1899 Hillsborough
1 – 1
1900-01 First Division 1 15.12.1900 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 29.04.1901 Hillsborough
1 – 0
1901-02 First Division 1 01.03.1902 Bramall Lane
3 – 0
 02.11.1901 Hillsborough
1 – 0
1902-03 First Division 1 01.09.1902 Bramall Lane
2 – 3
 11.10.1903 Hillsborough
0 – 1
1903-04 First Division 1 12.12.1903 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 09.04.1904 Hillsborough
3 – 0
1904-05 First Division 1 08.04.1905 Bramall Lane
4 – 2
 10.12.1904 Hillsborough
1 – 3
1905-06 First Division 1 21.10.1905 Bramall Lane
0 – 2
 18.04.1906 Hillsborough
1 – 0
1906-07 First Division 1 04.05.1907 Bramall Lane
2 – 1
 03.11.1906 Hillsborough
2 – 2
1907-08 First Division 1 09.11.1907 Bramall Lane
1 – 3
 07.03.1908 Hillsborough
2 – 0
1908-09 First Division 1 26.12.1908 Bramall Lane
2 – 1
 Hillsborough
1 – 0
1909-10 First Division 1 06.11.1909 Bramall Lane
3 – 3
 19.03.1910 Hillsborough
1 – 3
1910-11 First Division 1 25.02.1911 Bramall Lane
0 – 1
 22.10.1910 Hillsborough
2 – 0
1911-12 First Division 1 04.11.1911 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 09.03.1912 Hillsborough
1 – 1
1912-13 First Division 1 01.03.1913 Bramall Lane
0 – 2
 26.10.1912 Hillsborough
1 – 0
1913-14 First Division 1 25.10.1913 Bramall Lane
0 – 1
 28.02.1914 Hillsborough
2 – 1
1914-15 First Division 1 04.09.1914 Bramall Lane
0 – 1
 02.01.1915 Hillsborough
1 – 1
1919-20 First Division 1 04.10.1919 Bramall Lane
3 – 0
 27.09.1919 Hillsborough
2 – 1
1926-27 First Division 1 15.01.1927 Bramall Lane
2 – 0
 28.08.1926 Hillsborough
2 – 3
1927-28 First Division 1 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 Hillsborough
3 – 3
1928-29 First Division 1 02.02.1929 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 22.09.1928 Hillsborough
5 – 2
1929-30 First Division 1 28.09.1929 Bramall Lane
2 – 2
 01.02.1930 Hillsborough
1 – 1
1931-32 First Division 1 02.04.1932 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 21.11.1931 Hillsborough
2 – 1
1932-33 First Division 1 04.02.1933 Bramall Lane
2 – 3
 24.09.1932 Hillsborough
3 – 3
1933-34 First Division 1 03.03.1934 Bramall Lane
5 – 1
 21.10.1933 Hillsborough
0 – 1
1937-38 Second Division 2 26.02.1938 Bramall Lane
2 – 1
 16.10.1937 Hillsborough
0 – 1
1938-39 Second Division 2 29.10.1938 Bramall Lane
0 – 0
 04.03.1939 Hillsborough
1 – 0
1949-50 Second Division 2 21.01.1950 Bramall Lane
2 – 0
 17.09.1949 Hillsborough
2 – 1
1951-52 Second Division 2 08.09.1951 Bramall Lane
7 – 3
 05.01.1952 Hillsborough
1 – 3
1953-54 First Division 1 12.09.1953 Bramall Lane
2 – 0
 23.01.1954 Hillsborough
3 – 2
1954-55 First Division 1 18.09.1954 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 05.02.1955 Hillsborough
1 – 2
1958-59 Second Division 2 21.02.1959 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 04.10.1958 Hillsborough
2 – 0
1961-62 First Division 1 16.09.1961 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 03.02.1962 Hillsborough
1 – 2
1962-63 First Division 1 06.10.1962 Bramall Lane
2 – 2
 15.05.1963 Hillsborough
3 – 1
1963-64 First Division 1 14.09.1963 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 18.01.1964 Hillsborough
3 – 0
1964-65 First Division 1 02.01.1965 Bramall Lane
2 – 3
 05.09.1964 Hillsborough
0 – 2
1965-66 First Division 1 18.09.1965 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 12.03.1966 Hillsborough
2 – 2
1966-67 First Division 1 04.02.1966 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 24.09.1967 Hillsborough
2 – 2
1967-68 First Division 1 02.09.1967 Bramall Lane
0 – 1
 06.01.1968 Hillsborough
1 – 1
1970-71 Second Division 2 03.10.1970 Bramall Lane
3 – 2
 12.04.1971 Hillsborough
0 – 0
1979-80 Third Division 3 05.03.1980 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 26.12.1979 Hillsborough
4 – 0
 49,309
1991-92 First Division 1 17.11.1991 Bramall Lane
2 – 0
 11.03.1992 Hillsborough
1 – 3
1992-93 Premier League 1 08.11.1992 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 30,039 21.04.1993 Hillsborough
1 – 1
 38,688
1993-94 Premier League 1 23.10.1993 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 30,044 22.01.1994 Hillsborough
3 – 1
 34,959
2000-01 First Division 2 16.12.2000 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
 25,156 01.04.2001 Hillsborough
1 – 2
 38,433
2001-02 First Division 2 29.01.2002 Bramall Lane
0 – 0
 29,364 07.10.2001 Hillsborough
0 – 0
 29,281
2002-03 First Division 2 17.01.2003 Bramall Lane
3 – 1
 28,179 01.09.2002 Hillsborough
2 – 0
 27,075
2005-06 Championship 2 03.12.2005 Bramall Lane
1 – 0
 30,558 18.02.2006 Hillsborough
1 – 2
 33,439
2007-08 Championship 2 08.04.2008 Bramall Lane
2 – 2
 31,760 19.01.2008 Hillsborough
2 – 0
 30,486
2008-09 Championship 2 07.02.2009 Bramall Lane
1 – 2
 30,786 19.10.2008 Hillsborough
1 – 0
 30,441
2009-10 Championship 2 18.09.2009 Bramall Lane
3 – 2
 29,210 18.04.2010 Hillsborough
1 – 1
 35,485
2011-12 League One 3 16.10.2011 Bramall Lane
2 – 2
 28,136 26.02.2012 Hillsborough
1 – 0
 36,364

Cup

Season
Division
Round
Date
Venue
Score
Atten.
1899-1900 FA Cup 2nd Round 17.02.1900 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
2nd Round Replay 19.02.1900 Hillsborough
0– 2
1924-25 FA Cup 2nd Round 31.01.1925 Bramall Lane
3 – 2
1927-28 FA Cup 5th Round 18.02.1928 Hillsborough
1 – 1
5th Round Replay 22.02.1928 Bramall Lane
4 – 1
1953-54 FA Cup 3rd Round 09.01.1954 Hillsborough
1 – 1
3rd Round Replay 13.01.1954 Bramall Lane
1 – 3
1959-60 FA Cup 6th Round 12.03.1960 Bramall Lane
0 – 2
 61,180
1980-81 League Cup 1st Round first leg 12.08.1980 Bramall Lane
1 – 1
Round 2 second leg 09.08.1980 Hillsborough
2 – 0
1989-90 Full Members Cup 2nd Round 21.11.1989 Hillsborough
3 – 2
1992-93 FA Cup Semi-final 03.04.1993 Wembley Stadium
2 – 1
 75,364
2000-01 League Cup 3rd Round 01.11.2000 Hillsborough
2 – 1
 32,283

Non-competitive matches

Eligible games – Friendlies,

Also see the Steel City Cup page

Venue Date Attendance Competition Winner Score Notes
Olive Grove 15 December 1890 10,000 Friendly Wednesday 2–1 First ever meeting between the two sides
Bramall Lane 12 January 1891 15,000 Friendly United 3–2 First United win
Olive Grove 17 October 1892 1,500 Friendly Drawn 1–1 First drawn game
Bramall Lane 5 August 1996 7,271 Steel City Cup United 4–1 Last non-competitive match.
.

Famous matches

The most famous match at Bramall Lane was on 8 September 1951, an encounter United won 7–3 in front of a crowd of 51,075. Wednesday scored after just ninety seconds through Thomas, but goals from Derek Hawksworth and Harold Brook gave United a 2–1 interval lead which would have been greater if McIntosh in the Wednesday goal had not saved a Fred Furniss penalty. Dennis Woodhead equalised for Wednesday after sixty minutes, but in rapid succession, Alf Ringstead, Hawksworth and Ringstead again, and Fred Smith scored for United, Woodhead pulled one back for Wednesday before Brook made the score 7–3 in a match never to be forgotten by United fans.

The Boxing Day Massacre (as it was named by Sheffield Wednesday fans) was a match played on 26 December 1979. It was famous for being the biggest win in recent times, when Wednesday won 4–0, with goals from Ian Mellor, Terry Curran, Mark Smith and Jeff King. Terry Curran's goal was a very rare one as it was a header and he hardly ever scored with his head, so even more special for all Wednesday fans. Almost as memorable as that one scored by Trevor Brooking when he was almost lying on the floor to score it. Another feature that made the victory all the sweeter for Wednesday fans was the domination of the United side at the time who were top of the league, while Wednesday were 4th in the table. The match was watched by a record third division crowd of 49,309 spectators.

On 3 April 1993, the two teams met in the FA Cup semi-finals. The game was scheduled to be played at Elland Road while the other semi between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur was to be played at Wembley. However The Football Association was forced to move the fixture Wembley due to extreme pressure from the fans of both teams. The match itself proved to be a classic, with Wednesday winning 2–1 after extra-time. Chris Waddle and Mark Bright scoring for Wednesday, and Alan Cork scoring for United. The match was watched by 75,364 spectators.[5]

Resurgence in the Steel City Derby

Since Sheffield Wednesday's relegation from the FA Premier League after the 1999–2000 season both teams have regularly (six out of nine seasons) frequented the same league, this has caused the local rivalry between the two teams to increase with many fans of both clubs keen to see when they play their city rivals when the league fixtures are announced. It has also seen the emergence of crowd trouble (particularly at games staged at Bramall Lane) in 2003[6] and 2008.[7][8]

Before the 2000–01 season both teams were only in the same league for six seasons between 1970–71 and 1999–00 (twenty-nine seasons), although this period did see one FA Cup semi-final meeting in 1993 and a Zenith Data Cup (Full Members Cup) meeting in 1989.

Off-pitch relationship

On 15 July 2011 both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday held a joint conference called "Supporting Sheffield" in which they announced a joint shirt sponsorship deal with two local Sheffield based companies for the 2011–12 Football League One season. The two local sponsors are Westfield Health (a Not for Profit healthcare organisation), who will be the home kit sponsor for the Blades and the away kit sponsor for the Owls, and the Gilder Group (a Volkswagen car dealer), who will be the away kit sponsor for the Blades and the home kit sponsor for the Owls. United and Wednesday have both made a six figure sum from the sponsorship deal.[9] The deal is the first of its kind in English football with The Telegraph likening the deal to Glasgow rivals and neighbours Celtic and Rangers who have frequently shared shirt sponsors in the past.[10]

Played for both

Managed both teams:

Played for one, managed the other:

Played for one, coached the other:

Coached both teams:

Other connections:

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "The Steel City showdown". BBC sport. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  2. ↑ Sheffield United the first 100 years. Clarebrough, D. 1989, ISBN 0-9508588-1-1.
  3. ↑ "United vs Wednesday – Facts & Figures". Blades-Mad. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  4. ↑ "DERBY VERDICT: "A massive win", says Blades boss Blackwell". The Sheffield Star. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
  5. ↑ Rollin, Jack (1993). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1993–94. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7895-4.
  6. ↑ "FA investigates crowd trouble". BBC Sport. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  7. ↑ "Fans clash at Steel City Derby". The Sheffield Star. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  8. ↑ "Atmosphere report (Sheffield United – Sheffield Wednesday 08 April 2008)". FootballDerbies.com. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
  9. ↑ "Both Sheffield United and Wednesday forecast friction over sponsorship link-up". The Sheffield Star. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  10. ↑ "Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday to share shirts sponsors this season". telegraph.co.uk. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-19.

External links