The North-East Derby (no, not that one) - Gateshead vs. Blyth Spartans
Unfortunately for Heed fans, we don't live inside my FM24 save, where Conor Pani scored a hat-trick in the UCL final against Feyenoord to clinch the treble. In the meantime, however, this North-East rivalry is one of the fiercest in non-league football. While inevitably overshadowed by Geordies and Mackems, the derby on the South bank of the Tyne is equally captivating.
While a famous cup run for Blyth in 1977/78 enthralled the nation, it is their bitter rivals who currently have the upper hand, made evident by a 7-0 win for Gateshead this pre-season. A miserable 23/24 season saw the Spartans relegated to the Northern Premier, which they are currently bottom of. Heed, in the meantime, are on the up - currently 4th in the National League.
I've played for both teams: Macaulay Langstaff.
The Rhine Derby - FC Köln vs. FC Monchengladbach
When we think of rivalries and Germany, Der Klassiker (Bayern Munich vs. Dortmund) and the Ruhr Derby (Dortmund vs FC Schalke 04) spring to mind. However, on the banks of the Rhine in West Germany lies a fixture that could go toe-to-toe with any of them.
Like all rivalries, the Rhine Derby has resulted in tears, joy and anger. Unlike all rivalries, the West Germany clash caused a 1970 murder mystery involving a goat, when Köln's mascot was killed in mysterious circumstances - you certainly can't say that about El Clásico.
I've played for both teams: Bernd Rupp
The M1 Derby - Watford vs Luton
Hahahaha, just kidding.
The Vienna Derby - FK Austria Wien vs SK Rapid Wien
The contest between Austria's two most successful sides is by no means underrated in its country of origin, but can be left unnoticed due to the low profile of the Austrian Bundesliga. Only 9 miles separate FK and Rapid, yet the rivalry is so fierce that matches are often among the most heavily-policed events of the year.
Vienna's derby is one of many clashes in football divided not by location, but by social standing. Similar to the class divide between Atletico and Real Madrid, Rapid was initially founded as a workers club while FK was reserved for the upper classes - even at one point holding a 'minimum intelligence requirement' for entry.
The history of the two sides is fascinating, with FK in particular having a proud history of resistance during Nazi occupation between 1938-45. Like Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, Austria Wien were designated a "Judenklub" (Jewish Club) by German authorities, but resisted the 'germanisation' of their club.
I've played for both teams: Mario Bazina
