Manchester Derby

The Manchester derbys are something of a rush for any Manchester United or Manchester City supporter. They have been some of the most significant and nail biting games and they are always eagerly awaited.

The Manchester derby has existed really since the turn of the 20 century in the early 1900s. It was then that the local teams created a bit of a stir when facing each other. This was all in light jest and very different to it is today.

One thing many don't knowis that right up until the 50s many Manchester football supporters actually went and supported both teams on alternate weekends, and their was no such thing as a City or United fan. Football supporters enjoyed watching both local clubs, perhaps the local rivalry started off with an air of excitement at the opportunity to watch the pair of teams supporters spent so much of their time watching. The result didn't matter as much as both teams were fondly followed.

There are many accounts for what caused the mild rivalry to step up a notch, but the main culprit it appears seems to be a divide of religion.

Manchester United had a a strong Roman Catholic following, enhanced by their Irish devote Roman Catholic Manager Matt Busby, the team also had a flux of Irish players over the years. Machester City tended more towards being a Church of England fan basis, it had strong roots here, it was even set up originally by two churchwardens as a church of England team although holding no limitations o restrictions as such.

As time went on the seperation grew stronger as religious friction tends to do. But this merely started thhe seperation that before never existed.

Religion only put a difference between the supporters and pushed them to one team or the other. It was the passion and thrill of the games that got their supporters hooked on their teams and loyal to the death in supporting them.

It was great to support your local team and greater still to play against other locals, it was a much better chance to exchange banter with the opposition as in Manchester both teams fans were in droves and mingled throughout pockets in the city.

It wasn't just off the pitch where violence took place, the 70s saw a disgraceful foul by George Best on Glyn Pardoe breaking his leg and effectively ending his career. There woudl be many other harsh heavy footed tackles in following derbys another notable one by Roy Keane which he actually admitted later to being premedidated from an earlier feud.

Your team soon became your identity in Manchester and it became so much so that your local watering hole had to be carefully selected as in the 60s and 70s you might get a black eye walking into the wrong pub with the wrong shirt.

Violence between supporters became much greater and clashes more often, and it is a trend that seems to have stuck, even if today it is more of a minority.

The 90s were bleak for City at least in terms of the Manchester Derbys but the following decade saw improvement. Manchester City started putting the interest and passion back into these games allowing for some spectacular matches, and 'anyones to win' games.

Since their new cash flow from their new owners in the last few years has built a high profile, money no cost team, Manchester City have put their mark back on the Premier Division, and are leaving Manchester United nervous.