THERE are few things in football that get the nerves tingling more than a big derby match.
From Celtic v Rangers to Liverpool v Everton to Fenerbahce v Galatasaray, the most heated matches often come when two teams who are geographically close meet in a huge game of football.
These derby clashes are often spoke about for days and provide memories few fans will ever forget.
But many football supporters have no idea why these high-profile games are called “derbies”.
The phrase is often thrown about in the media as fans look forward to a grudge match where emotions will undoubtedly be running high.
But few know that the origin of the phrase is disputed and could potentially go back centuries.
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One theory is that the phrase comes from the Derby horse race which was founded by the Earl of Derby in 1780, according to the BBC.
Another theory also has the Earl of Derby at the heart of it.
Some believe the phrase originated from a match between Liverpool and Everton in 1914.
Anfield and Goodison Park are famously separated only by Stanley Park, which was then owned by the Earl.
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It is believed the “derby” term was coined in a newspaper in reference to the park’s ownership with the phrase quickly spreading to other local clashes.
Derby matches sees two teams who are close in location and stature go head-to-head in a game.
But the term has also been used to describe matches like El Clasico despite Barcelona and Real Madrid far apart in terms of geography but sharing a long and bitter history as Spain’s two most successful clubs.
The fiercest derbies in England includes the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham, the Manchester Derby between United and City and the Merseyside Derby.
Rivalries abroad also often catch the eye, with the likes of Marseille and PSG in France, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos in Greece and Boca Juniors and River Plate in Brazil famous for their intense atmospheres.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
