Sheffield - A City Divided

The Steel City Derby returns to Sheffield this season as The Owls and The Blades find themselves competing in the third tier of English football this season. The Owls have spent seven seasons in their history in the third tier of English football whilst The Blades have spent five seasons at this level. Although Sheffield United are the only team out of the two to have played in the basement of the football league.

The 126th Steel City Derby will be played at Bramall Lane in October whilst the return game will be played in February at Hillsborough. Its the first time the two clubs have been at this level since 1979. Older Sheffield Wednesday fans will remember the 'boxing day massacre' on the 26th of December of that season, in which The Owls won 4-0.

Around 4 miles separate the two sides from each other, the cities passion for football is one of the best in the country, despite both sides having major ups and downs. In the past decade The Blades have had the upper hand on their steel city neighbours on and off the field, with The Blades playing Premiership football during Sheffield Wednesdays slow decline of their 'glory years'. Sheff Wed fans can look back with good memories as being Sheffield's top club during the 1980s and 1990s. The tide is now starting to change once more, who is Sheffield's top club now? Well Sheffield Wednesday fans will tell you its them, if you ask Sheffield United fans, they will say they are. As a Sheffield Wednesday fan myself, I feel both sides are now on an even scale, perhaps Sheff Wed having an upper hand now, considering off the field activities seem to have switched directions for both sides.

Staying with the financial activities of both sides, The Blades have seen problems mount with their debts and huge wage bills, which need to be resolved sooner rather than later. I feel Sheffield United are in a similar position to what Sheffield Wednesday have been in over the past few years, and that is, a board who's got no real ambition, whom doesn't want to pump money into the team, adding onto this, fans who are expecting big things to happen, the Sheffield United managers job is a very tough job at the moment. The estimated debts of The Blades has been suggested to be around £40 million.

Meanwhile in the blue and white side of Sheffield a new era was born last season when Milan Mandaric saved the club at the wire and gained control of the club outright, financial stability has been long awaited for Sheffield Wednesday fans, the real sense of drive and change is buzzing around Hillsborough as the club prepares for a very big season ahead.

Both Sheffield clubs joined forces this season in a very first 'joint city' sponsorship deal, which has caused different thoughts and emotions amongst supporters, one bright side is both sides are appearing to sponsor local business in Sheffield and that is surely a good thing for both clubs and communities in the city. Rumours started to stir that this was a step towards both clubs becoming one or contemplating a ground share which would not go down well with fans, what so ever. Sheffield Wednesday moving from Hillsborough would be like Manchester United moving from Old Trafford. It just can't happen.

For those of you who don't support either side, here's a few stats below which may be of interest to you, Blades and Owls you may want to click 'x' now...


After 125 Derbies -
Sheff Wed wins - 41
Sheff Utd wins - 49
Draws - 39

League Doubles -
Sheff Utd - 10
Sheff Wed - 6

Biggest Victories -
Sheff Utd 7-3 Sheff Wed
Sheff Wed 4-0 Sheff Utd

25 players have played for both sides in Steel City derbies, Alan Quinn is the only player to have scored for both sides in a derby.

Danny Wilson is the first manager ever to have managed both steel city teams.