5 Reasons Why: You Have to Watch The Second City Derby

By: Rob | September 11th, 2009

So, the big derby match this weekend is from the midlands, as Birmingham City take on local rivals Aston Villa, for the first time since returning to the top division. An intense rivalry that goes back to 1879, it is always a pleasure to see it on the football calender, as many memorable moments have come from it.

Its called the Second City Derby because of Birmingham’s unofficial status as the Second City of England, and the sides have played well over 100 competitive matches against one another. The classic matches go back years. In 1925, Birmingham were down by three goals, but scored 3 in the last 20 minutes to bring the game to a draw. Birmingham’s only domestic trophy came after a win against Villa in the 1963 League Cup Final.

So here is a rough guide to the reasons why you definitely should be looking for a way to tune in this weekend.

1) Its a pretty intense rivalry.
I have family from Birmingham (and my grandad is an avid Birmingham supporter) and it is obvious to anyone with a connection to the area that it really, really matters. Local derbies always do, but fans mean it when they say that taking six points from the opposition is the main target for the season – everything else is a bonus. Like the Liverpool-Man United rivalry, derbies of late have kicked off at lunch time because worries about crowd trouble. Like people coming on to the pitch to attack Robbie Savage.

2)Its age-old.
1879 was their first derby, when Birmingham were known as the Small Heath Alliance. To prove that footballers excuses have not aged at all, Small Heath won 1-0 and the Villa players blamed the pitch. Villa won the first competitive match between the two, in the 1887 FA Cup, by 4 goals to nil.

3) Its a pretty close rivallry.
Both sides have had halcyon sides down the years, though Villa have traditionally been the more successful, winning far more trophies. But the stats of the rivalry are pretty close. In the league, Villa have won 43 derbies, while Birmingham have won 36, there have been 27 draws. This will be the 107th league meeting between the two rivals.

4) Sometimes something crazy happens.
Just ask Peter Enckleman. Or Robbie Savage, who got headbutted by Dion Dublin a few years back (see video below)

5) This Year, They Want It Even More.
With Villa looking a little less likely to get to those Champions League spots this season, and with Birmingham focussing on staying in the Premier League, both sides really want the points, and more importantly to cause the other one a bit of damage. I’m expecting fireworks.

Some to get you in the mood: