The Severnside derby is a

local derby Local may refer to: Geography and transportation * Local (train), a train serving local traffic demand * Local, Missouri, a community in the United States * Local government, a form of public administration, usually the lowest tier of administra ...

in football in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

between

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peopl ...

club

Cardiff City Cardiff City Football Club ( cy, Clwb Pêl-droed Dinas Caerdydd) is a professional association football club based in Cardiff, Wales. It competes in the Championship, the second tier of the English football league system. Founded in 1899 as R ...

and either of the English clubs, Bristol City or Bristol Rovers. Alternatively, it may be between Newport County and either of the Bristol-based clubs.

Reasons for the rivalry

Although it is a traditional local rivalry, it is different in that it also crosses the Wales–England border, increasing somewhat the hostility between the two teams. As well as bragging rights the matches are seen as an "international contest". Both sets of fans use this to taunt each other with ''patriotic'' songs. In the Football Fans census in 2003 about football rivalries, Bristol City and Cardiff were listed as 10th and 13th in the UK respectively in a list of teams.

Violence

Both teams' fans have a history of

hooliganism Hooliganism is disruptive or unlawful behavior such as rioting, bullying and vandalism, usually in connection with crowds at sporting events. Etymology There are several theories regarding the origin of the word ''hooliganism,'' which is a ...

and have their own

hooligan firm Hooligan firms (also known as football firms) are groups that participate in football hooliganism in European countries. For groups in Latin America, see barra brava and torcida organizada. Belgium *Club Brugge – East Side * RSC Anderlec ...

: Cardiff's being the

Soul Crew The Cardiff City Soul Crew ( cy, Criw Enaid Dinas Caerdydd; commonly known as the Soul Crew) football hooligan firm, associated with the Welsh football club Cardiff City. From its formation in 1983 onwards, the Soul Crew would on many occasions be ...

and Bristol City with the City Service Firm. Due to the fierce rivalry and the history of the two teams the encounters can end up with some sort of conflict, commonly pre-organised. In an attempt to discourage the violence, games between the two are usually kept "all coach", meaning that everyone travelling to an away game must travel using the club's official transport and therefore no one can travel to the game of their own accord. The coaches are usually accompanied by a heavy police presence and away fans tend to be kept in the ground after the game until the home fans have all left. While this has been mildly successful in stopping organised fights, fans still attempt to attack each other by throwing objects such as bottles and coins during the game. The violence involved with this derby was featured in a BBC documentary in 2001, ''Hooligans''. In the programme a reporter wearing a

hidden camera A hidden camera or spy camera is a camera used to photograph or record subjects, often people, without their knowledge. The camera may be considered "hidden" because it is not visible to the subject being filmed, or is disguised as another obje ...

infiltrated the Soul Crew, exposing the use of racist chanting and abuse as well as a lack of control by stewards and police.

Notable characters in past encounters

Unlike the South Wales derby, and the Bristol derby, it is not usually frowned upon to sign a player or manager who has played for the opposition in the Severnside Derby. The only players that are disfavoured are players who are remembered for one-off incidents. Such players include former Bristol City player

Lee Trundle Lee Christopher Trundle (born 10 October 1976) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Cymru South side Ammanford. He also works as the club ambassador and youth team coach for Championship side Swansea City. Trundle's career began ...

, who is hated by Cardiff fans for a long affiliation with rivals

Swansea City Swansea City Association Football Club (; cy, Clwb Pêl-droed Cymdeithas Dinas Abertawe) is a professional football club based in Swansea, Wales that plays in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Swansea have played their ho ...

. After winning the LDV Vans Trophy in 2006, Trundle took to the pitch wearing a T-shirt depicting a Swansea fan urinating on a Cardiff City shirt. He also held up a Flag of Wales with the words "Fuck off Cardiff" on it but claimed he did not realise it was written on there.

Head-to-head record

Current as of 21st August 2022. Statistics obtained from Soccerbase.

Game list

References

Game References

External links

Official Football League Preview magazineSoccerbase.com Head to Head Bristol C vs. CardiffSoccerbase.com Head to Head Bristol R vs. Cardiff
{{DEFAULTSORT:Severnside Derby England football derbies Wales football derbies Cardiff City F.C. Bristol City F.C. Bristol Rovers F.C. Newport County A.F.C.