Derby day

In light of the Manchester derby that means so much to both sets of fans that took place today I thought it would be interesting to have a discussion which derby or rivalry match is the best.

Generally when you think of derby days in soccer you think of two teams that share a city, where fans are divided between the two teams. Like Rangers and Celtic, City and united or Everton and Liverpool where work colleagues, family members or friends for one day do not talk and are desperate for their team to destroy their close ones team. I think over the last couple of years the United and City derby has risen quickly to the best derby in the country. It did not use to be because there was such a gulf between the two teams now with City and all their money at their disposable they have become the league champions. Not only now do United share Manchester with City but both are competing for the same trophies. This is one derby I can only for see getting bigger and global.

I think when people think of sporting derbies they also think of sporting rivalries such as England v Australia or Packers v Bears or USA v Europe for the Ryder Cup. These sporting rivalries do not have to be within a few miles of each other but you can create that derby day atmosphere and competition between two sides even if they are on opposite sides of the world. Take the Ashes for example competed between England and Australia no where near each other but both sides label it as their top priority and fans will save for a life time just to travel as the away fan base to support their team. The number one goal for any English or Australian cricketer is to take away the ashes from their main rival and this goal has not changed for decades and probably will not.

Sporting rivalries are more common than derby matches in countries like USA because of the huge size of the country. Towns and cities traditionally have one sporting team per sport and every one supports that team. That makes these sporting rivalries not just two teams going head to head but two cities or towns. Maybe the biggest rivalry of them all is where when two of Americas largest Universities clash, there can be over 100,000 spectators in attendance, they traditionally are two of the most successful football teams and it normally decides who is going to win the BIG10 conference. There is nothing in comparison to the Michigan Ohio State rivalry, for me this match up produces some the best drama in sport. Both colleges are desperate to win as it means so much, it normally produces fantastic finishes and talked about for days after.

No matter what sport you follow or play you always have a rival. This team could be located just round the corner creating derby days where a town or city could be split in half or they could be on the other side of the world. No matter who your rival is there is no better sporting match up. I finish with one final question what's your favourite sporting rivalry?