Introduction to League One and Two Derbies
Whilst the modern-day third and fourth tiers, as we know them, were formed in 2004, League One and League Two derbies have been a part of football for a long time. Throughout the years, lower league derbies have proven to be the heart and soul of the game, and although players and managers alike move on, fans, alongside the importance of a derby to the local community, stay the same. Normally formed because of geographical significance, derbies have played their part in bringing together and dividing local communities.
Historical Context of League One and Two Derbies
In the years that followed the foundation of the Premier League in 1992, there were changes to the way the English football pyramid looked. From 2004 onwards, the formerly named divisions ‘First Division, Second Division and Third Division’ were renamed to the Championship, League One and League Two. These leagues have formed the backbone of English football, with derbies and rivalries deeply rooted in community identities.
Top Iconic Derbies in League One
The Lancashire Derby: Bolton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic
Although both sides might not consider each other their ‘main rivals’, the Lancashire derby is one of the most consistent derbies that takes place in the lower leagues in recent times. Despite the fact that both sides have also met in the top-flight of English football, the last six games between the two sides in the last three seasons have all come in the third tier, with multiple match-ups also coming in the Championship throughout the years. In the overall head-to-head, these sides have met 54 times historically, the first clash coming in 1983. The Latics have won the majority of the ties, with 22. Wanderers have won four fewer, with 18, whilst the 14 other ties have ended level. Whilst this derby does have a history of some violence, in 2023, it’s nowhere near the level of ‘hooliganism’ that has happened in other rivalries.
The Devon Derby: Exeter City vs Plymouth Argyle
This derby is the complete opposite of the one above. Always fierce and sometimes violent, the Devon derby has over 100 years of history between the two local clubs. Whilst Torquay United are also a club that play in Devon, their exit from League Two in 2013/14 has meant that the spotlight has shone on the Grecians and the Pilgrims. The derby reached a boiling point in 2017, when fans from both sides clashed in the King Billy pub in Exeter. The game wasn’t even between the two sides; it was a result of the teams playing on the same day, and resulted in most of the perpetrators being jailed. Following Argyle’s relegation from the Championship last season, this is a derby which will return to the third tier, and has been spiked recently following Caleb Watts’ transfer from Exeter to Plymouth. Another staple rivalry of lower league football, their last 13 league meetings have been in both the third and fourth tiers of English football. With over a century of history, these sides have clashed 93 times, Argyle winning 38, Exeter winning 29, and the other 26 resulting in draws.
The Nene Derby: Northampton Town vs Peterborough United
Called the Nene derby after the River Nene, the Northampton vs Peterborough derby has a history of violent clashes. It’s not just about football in this rivalry, it’s also a rivalry of two British towns. The first competitive match from this fixture took place in the second round of the FA Cup in the 1946/47 season, before the first league match between the two sides took place in 1961. The bitter rivalry reached its peak in 1974, when more than 500 fans from either side clashed before, during and after the match, in an event which has since been named the Battle of Abington Park. Since 1946, these sides have met 79 times, with the Posh winning 36 matches, whilst the Cobblers have won on 24 occasions. 19 of the games have ended level at full time.
Top Iconic Derbies in League Two
The A500 Derby: Crewe Alexandra vs Port Vale
With not many local derbies placed in League Two for next season, this derby will not take place in the league next season due to Port Vale’s promotion. The A500 derby has seen some disorderly behaviour throughout the years. Separated by the road the rivalry is named after, the A500, these sides have clashed in the third and fourth tiers of the football pyramid for 132 years. In their most recent meeting three months ago, six arrests were made by the Cheshire police, which added to the 15 arrests that were made back in 2011, and the numerous banning orders that have been given out through the years, the most after an incident in 2018. With the game being played 95 times throughout history, the Railwaymen have won 41, with Vale winning 20, including the most recent one, whilst the 24 other ties have ended in draws. Although a derby that, for many, goes under the radar, the longevity of the clash in the lower leagues can not be understated.
Dons Derby: AFC Wimbledon vs MK Dons
Another rivalry we won’t see next season, AFC Wimbledon vs MK Dons, is a fierce rivalry for a whole new reason. Not a rival for geographical locations, the history between these two clubs is certainly something. In 2004, MK Dons were founded from what was once Wimbledon FC, following the very controversial move from London to Milton Keynes. A phoenix club was resurrected in place of Wimbledon FC, and given the name AFC Wimbledon, in 2002. Making their way up through the non-league pyramid, they earned promotion back to the EFL in 2011 and have stayed in it ever since. In 2020, the club moved back into a stadium named Plough Lane, only 250 yards away from where the original Plough Lane used to stand. There is a big argument surrounding which of the clubs are the real Dons, and which club gets to claim Wimbledon FC’s history. However, AFC Wimbledon will be playing in a higher league than MK Dons next season, after achieving promotion from League Two via the play-off final.
The Cumbrian Derby: Barrow AFC vs Carlisle United
A derby which, again, won’t, unfortunately, take place in the league next season, the Cumbrian derby is a derby which has been resurrected in recent years. However, historically, this derby has always taken place in the lower leagues of the EFL, with the first clash taking place in 1928. Just like most rivalries in this list, there is a history of acts of violence, with a heavy police presence, and multiple arrests made in the last five years. There have been 69 clashes between these two sides, Barrow winning 29 of these clashes, with rivals Carlisle winning 22. 18 have ended in draws.
Cultural Impact of League One and Two Derbies
Lower-tier derbies are just as fierce as derbies higher up the pyramid, with the weight of tradition and local pride for working-class towns and cities on the line. With smaller crowds at games, as you look down the pyramid, the atmosphere can be more intense and more passionate, with bragging rights and local supremacy over your fierce rivals on the line.
Experiencing a League One and Two Derby
On a derby matchday, you can expect a nervous, yet excited atmosphere in and around the stadium. Fans pile into local pubs before the game and slowly make their way to the stadium in their numbers before kick-off. On your way to the ground, you can expect to see a heavy police and stewarding presence, as tensions may flare even before the game has started. Inside the stadium, you can expect a loud and rowdy atmosphere as you count down to kick-off. If the result has gone your way after the full-time whistle has blown, you can breathe a sigh of relief as well as celebrate with the players.
Memorable Moments from League and Two Derbies
Even in recent times, third and fourth-tier derbies have produced some memorable moments.
April 1, 2025 – League One – Wigan Athletic 0-1 Bolton Wanderers – Chris Forino-Joseph 90+2′
Bolton managed to one-up Lancashire rivals Wigan away thanks to Chris Forino-Joseph’s 92nd-minute winner this season, which sparked jubilant scenes in the Trotters’ away end. This was the first time in 10 years that Bolton were able to win against their Lancashire rivals, their last win coming on the 3rd January 2015.
March 2, 2024 – League Two – AFC Wimbledon 1-0 MK Dons – Ronan Curtis 90+4′
AFC Wimbledon hero Ronan Curtis certainly gave Dons fans a day to remember with a last-gasp winner at home at Plough Lane against rivals MK Dons for the first time. The Dons’ rivalry is more of a historical rivalry rather than a geographical one, with the history of the original Wimbledon still fiercely debated to this day. Like Bolton, this was the first time in a while that they had managed to beat their rivals. That was the first AFC Wimbledon win since 2017, in seven years, so no wonder it was such a special moment for Wimbledon supporters, especially older supporters who would’ve gone through the events that occurred in the early 2000s.
May 29, 2023 – League One play-off final – Barnsley 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday – Josh Windass 120+3′
Talk about last-gasp winners, Sheffield Wednesday achieved promotion back up to the Championship after a dramatic winner in extra-time’s injury time over Yorkshire rivals Barnsley back in 2023. Considering they came back from a four-goal deficit in the semi-finals against Peterborough United, they sealed promotion in a perfect way, in the last minute, against a Yorkshire rival. Since this match, Wednesday have become a stable Championship side, whilst Barnsley still haven’t managed promotion from the third tier.
