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South Wales derby

TheSouth Wales derbyis alocal derbybetween Welshassociation footballclubsCardiff CityandSwansea City.The fixture has been described byThe Independentas one of the fiercest rivalries in British football.[1]Although based in Wales, both clubs play in theEnglish football league systemand have won English honours: Cardiff theFA Cupin1927and Swansea theFootball League Cupin2013.

South Wales derby
A South Wales derby in 2013, the first top tier meeting between the sides
LocationSouth Wales
Teams
First meeting7 September 1912(1912-09-07)
Swansea Town 1–1 Cardiff City
Latest meeting25 August 2024
Championship
Swansea City 1–1 Cardiff City
Next meeting18 January 2025
atCardiff City Stadium
StadiumsCardiff City Stadium(Cardiff City)
Swansea Stadium(Swansea City)
Statistics
Meetings total118
Most winsCardiff City (46)
Most player appearancesRoger Freestone(19)
Top scorerBrayley Reynolds(8)
All-time seriesCardiff: 46
Draw: 29
Swansea: 43
Largest victoryCardiff City 5–0 Swansea Town
(6 April 1965)

The first meeting between the two sides took place in 1912, in Swansea's first competitive fixture, and ended in a draw. In the pre-war era, the derby was played infrequently, particularly in the league with only eight meetings between the sides from 1912 to 1945 as the clubs were rarely in the same division. After the Second World War, football attendances rose significantly and the first derby attracted a record crowd of more than 57,000 in 1949. These high attendances continued through the 1950s, including the first derby played in aWelsh Cupfinal in 1956 which set a record attendance for a match in the competition. Attendances began to fall at the start of the 1960s following a downturn in the fortunes of both teams.

The 1970s saw only five derby matches, all in the Welsh Cup, before Swansea enjoyed a resurgence under the management ofJohn Toshackin the early 1980s. However, by the end of the decade and the early 1990s, the derby became blighted byhooliganismwhich led to the fixture becoming the first in Britain to ban away fans from attending. The derby experienced a resurgence at the start of the 21st century, with both teams reaching theChampionshipbefore eventually meeting in the top tier of English football in thePremier Leaguefor the first time in 2013 which Cardiff went on to win.

The clubs have played each other more than 110 times in all competitions. Having begun as a friendly rivalry, the relationship between the two sides deteriorated after the 1960s which led to several high profile, violent clashes between supporters that gained the fixture a reputation as one of Britain's fiercest rivalries. GoalkeeperRoger Freestonehas appeared in more derbies between the two sides than any other player, making 19 appearances for Swansea in the fixture during his career.Brayley Reynoldsscored eight times for Swansea in derby matches, more than any other player. The most recent South Wales derby took place on 16 March 2024 in theEFL Championship,ending in a 2–0 win for Swansea City at theSwansea Stadium.

History

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Southern Football League

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Chart showing relative league positions of Cardiff and Swansea in theEnglish Football League

Cardiff Citywas formed in 1899 as Riverside A.F.C. by members of a local cricket club. The team competed in the amateur leagues before gaining entry into theSouthern Football Leagueand turning professional in 1910.[2]With growing interest in association football in the traditionallyrugby unionstronghold ofSwansea,the decision was taken to form a club.Swansea Townwas founded in 1912 and gained admission into the Second Division of the Southern Football League alongside Cardiff. The two clubs faced each other for the first time on 7 September 1912, in Swansea's first competitive fixture, with the match ending in a 1–1 draw;Billy Ballgave the Swans the lead before Cardiff captainJohn Burtonequalised.[3][4]Swansea went on to claim the first victory between the two sides five months later when they defeated Cardiff 4–2 in the semi-final of theWelsh Cupdespite trailing 2–0 at half time. Cardiff lost two players to injury in the second half in a time whensubstituteswere not permitted, ending the match with nine players.[5]Such was the friendliness between the two sides in the early meetings that when Burton scored abicycle kickin the match, several of his opponents stopped to shake hands with him in appreciation of the goal.[6]

Cardiff were promoted to the First Division of the Southern Football League at the end of the1912–13 season.[7]Although the clubs met in the fourth qualifying round of theFA Cupthe following season, it would be the last competitive fixture between the two sides for six years as the Southern Football League was suspended during the First World War. Twofriendlieswere played in April 1919 as the clubs began to prepare for a return of competitive football at the end of hostilities with both sides winning a match each.[8]The popularity of the derby quickly became obvious as the first post First World War league fixture attracted a season high crowd of 15,500 for Swansea, who claimed a 2–1 victory, while Cardiff recorded its first victory in the return fixture on 7 February 1920, defeating the Swans 1–0 atNinian ParkfollowingGeorge Beare's goal. The second fixture was attended by 24,317 spectators, the largest crowd ever recorded in the Southern League at the time. A friendly was also held in October 1919 as a benefit match for Cardiff's trainerGeorge Lathamwho captained his side for the fixture in a 1–1 draw.[9]

Pre-war and wartime

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In 1920, in order to expand, theFootball Leagueabsorbed the teams from the First Division of the Southern League. Swansea were placed into the newly createdFootball League Third Divisionbut Cardiff were granted a place in theFootball League Second Divisionafter winning an election vote.[10]The split resulted in the two sides facing each other only three times between 1920 and 1929, all of which came in the Welsh Cup.[11]Cardiff enjoyed one of the most successful periods in the club's history during the 1920s, winning the1927 FA Cup Finaland finishing as runners-up in both the1925 finaland the First Division in1923–24.[12]In the 1920s the rivalry was more friendly; there are accounts of Swansea fans travelling to the 1927 FA Cup final in support of their neighbouring rivals.[13]A goodwill message was also forwarded to the Cardiff team from Swansea ahead of the match.[14] Cardiff were relegated to the Second Division in 1929. This resulted in the first league meetings between the two sides for 11 years, a goalless draw in October of that year.[15]A benefit match for several Swansea players was held in April 1930 atVetch Fieldand resulted in a 6–2 victory for the home side asRonnie Williamsscored five of his side's goals.[16]

Cardiff were relegated again in 1932, dropping into theFootball League Third Division South.[12]As a result, the derby was only played a further four times before the outbreak of the Second World War; the clubs were drawn against each other twice in the Welsh Cup, with both ties requiring a replay to decide a winner.[17]In the pre-war era, the Welsh Cup provided more meetings between the two sides than league competition with 10 derbies being played in the Welsh Cup between 1912 and 1939, two more meetings than in league fixtures. The last competitive pre-war derby took place on 23 February 1939 as Cardiff defeated Swansea 4–1 in the fifth round of the Welsh Cup following braces fromHarry EganandTex Rickards.[18]

With football restricted during wartime, the close proximity of the two sides led to them being grouped together in regional wartime leagues. The first wartime fixture was played in August 1939 under the guise of a charity match for the Jubilee Benevolent Fund. For the1939–40 seasonCardiff and Swansea were placed in the South-West Region and played out a 2–2 draw in their first meeting.[19]In total, the teams met 42 times during wartime. Cardiff dominated competition during this period, winning 30 of the 42 meetings.[20]This included an 8–0 victory for Cardiff in a match that was dubbed the "Bluebirds Blitzkrieg" followinghat tricksfromBeriah MooreandBilly James.[21][22]

Post-war

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When the Football League resumed in the1946–47 season,Cardiff won promotion from the Third Division South at the expense of Swansea who were relegated to the same division.[23]Despite this, Cardiff managerBilly McCandlesschose to leave the club to join Swansea after receiving a lucrative offer from the rival side.[24]McCandless led Swansea back to the Second Division in 1949, resulting in the first post-war meeting of the sides on 27 August. The match was also the first league meeting between the two sides for 19 years, the longest gap between league matches in the derby's history.[5]With football enjoying a post-war attendance boom, more than 60,000 tickets were sold although only 57,510 spectators were recorded through the turnstiles at the match.[25]The figure is the biggest crowd ever recorded for a South Wales derby in which Cardiff claimed a 1–0 victory through a goal byTommy Best.[26]The original ticket sales of 60,855 would have also been a club record for both sides; Cardiff's record home attendance is instead 57,893 againstArsenalfour years later.[25]The return fixture, in December of the same year, also saw Swansea record its highest ever derby attendance with 27,264 spectators witnessing Swansea win 5–1.[26]

In 1955, Cardiff was named as the capital city of Wales. The decision, along with the perceived favouritism from UK governments believed to have been shown to the city since has been credited as the starting point of the deterioration of relations between the two sides.[27][28]In 1956, the South Wales derby was played in the final of the Welsh Cup in front of a crowd of 37,500 at Ninian Park. The attendance remains the highest ever recorded in the Welsh Cup. Cardiff went on to win the match 3–2 despite being reduced to ten men within the opening 30 minutes when forwardGerry Hitchenssuffered a broken leg.[29]The following year, Cardiff recorded its first victory over Swansea at Vetch Field, winning 1–0 following a goal fromColin Hudson.The next meeting between the sides, in March 1959, resulted in Swansea achieving the same feat by winning at their rivals home ground for the first time in league competition.Mel Nursescored the only goal of the game from a penalty, the first league goal Swansea had scored at Ninian Park.[30]

Before the 1960s the rivalry was a typically a friendly one and many fans held no animosity towards their Welsh rivals. In the area between the two cities, some fans supported both teams and matches between the sides in the post-war decade often saw opposing fans standing alongside each other on the terraces.[14][13]The 1960s saw that change as football culture became more aggressive and local rivalries became more important than shared regional identities.[31]The earliest trouble of note between the two teams occurred in February 1960 during a Welsh Cup sixth round tie. Cardiff were due to play a league match two days later and approached theFootball Association of Wales(FAW) to postpone the match. The request was denied and in response, Cardiff managerBill Jonesnamed a reserve side for the fixture. Despite fielding a weakened team, Cardiff went on to win the tie 2–1 in a match that saw several confrontations. Cardiff's Colin Hudson was sent off for a foul with ten minutes remaining before his teammateSteve Mokoneand Swansea'sHarry Griffithswere also dismissed after wrestling each other to the ground and throwing mud in retaliation. The FAW subsequently fined Cardiff £350 for fielding a weakened side in the competition and warned the club against doing so again in future.[27][32]Swansea historian Gwyn Rees has stated that fans' animosity began to increase in the late 1960s, citing the 1969 Welsh Cup final as a turning point.[14]The match was the first derby that saw notable issues of violence between the two sets of supporters.[33]At the end of the1969–70 season,Swansea Town changed its name to Swansea City after the area was granted city status.[34]

Lower divisions and hooliganism

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The appointment ofJohn Toshackas Swansea manager in the late 1970s caused further rift between the clubs. Toshack had been born in Cardiff and began his career with the side but his subsequent success with the Swans, winning promotion from theFourth Divisionto the First Division during his tenure, saw the balance of power in South Wales shift.[14]Having only played each other five times during the 1970s, all in the Welsh Cup, the two sides met in a league fixture for the first time in for 15 years in 1980. Swansea recorded a 2–1 victory with goals coming from two former Cardiff players, Toshack, in his role as player-manager, andDavid Giles.[35]

With the escalation offootball hooliganism in the United Kingdomin the 1980s, the derbies became plagued by violence led largely by hooligan firms from both sides, Cardiff'sSoul Crewand Swansea's Jacks.[36][37]In September 1988, after seeing their side win in Swansea, a group of around 30 Cardiff fans were chased into the sea nearSwansea Civic Centreby a group of around 50 Swansea fans. Since then, Swansea fans have adopted a "swim away" gesture, in reference to the event.[38]During an FA Cup fixture in 1992, 39 fans were arrested at Swansea's Vetch Field after clashes between supporters.[39]Significant damage was caused to local shops as well as public transport;John Williams,who played for both sides during his career, described how fans "would fight in the streets, the train station and all the way down the motorway. The fans wanted to show they were the better city."[14]

On 22 December 1993, a match between the two sides was dubbed 'The Battle of Ninian Park' after violence erupted.[40]The start of the match was delayed for 40 minutes as police attempted to control the rival fans.[41]Swansea fans were placed in the grandstand for the game, seated alongside sections of Ninian Park usually frequented by families.[14][40]As Cardiff took the lead, Swansea fans began ripping out seats and throwing them at Cardiff supporters, which resulted in the home fans invading the pitch in an attempt to reach the away section.[39]Police were forced to use mounted officers and dog handlers to regain control.[41]The following day national news showing pictures of the violence shocked the nation, withThe Timesreporting that "at one point several hundred people were brawling on the pitch".[42]The violence led the FAW to ban away fans from this fixture for several years, the first fixture in Britain to do so.[43]Simon Chivers, a fan who attended the match and went on to become an intelligence officer on hooligan firms forSouth Wales Police,described the scenes at the match as "the worst violence I have ever seen anywhere in my entire life."[40]

With the two teams in the Third Division, the 1990s saw frequent derby matches and several meetings in cup competitions, although poor results and frequent crowd trouble saw attendances drop; both sides recorded their lowest derby attendances in league competition between 1994 and 1996.[44]Further political divide between the two cities was caused by theWelsh devolution referendum in 1997when Cardiff was chosen as the site for the newly createdSenedd,despite the majority of the city voting against devolution.[45]Swansea, which largely voted in favour of devolution, received funding for anational swimming poolinstead.[13]Alan Curtis,who played for both sides, commented, "I think Cardiff has always been perceived [...] to receive whatever funding is going around. It seems to me that everything gets channelled in that direction".[45]Away fans were eventually allowed to attend the fixture again in 1997 under strict monitoring and the introduction of 'bubble' trips, where away fans are escorted in and out of the stadium by police.[46]The two teams were split in 1999 through promotions and relegation. Although they met in aFAW Premier Cupfinal in 2002,[47]the two sides did not meet in the league for ten years.[48]Despite this, the rivalry still attracted attention; during their celebrations after winning theFootball League Trophyin 2006, Swansea playersLee TrundleandAlan Tatebrandished a Welsh flag with an anti-Cardiff message and Trundle also wore a T-shirt with an image of a Swansea City player urinating on a Cardiff City shirt.[49]The FAW stated that the images paraded at the match, which took place at Cardiff'sMillennium Stadium,were "of an extremely offensive and insulting nature". The two players were arrested for public order offences, fined £2,000 and handed one-match suspensions.[50][51]A heavy police presence was also required when Swansea fans travelled to Cardiff when they played at the Millennium Stadium in the Football League Trophy final in 2006.[52]

New eras

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RefereeMike Deanreceiving treatment after being struck by a projectile in a 2009 South Wales derby

The first derby in just under a decade took place in theLeague Cupon 23 September 2008, with Swansea winning 1–0. The match saw sets of supporters from both clubs clash with police after the match.[53]A league fixture, on 5 April 2009 at Ninian Park, was marred by refereeMike Deanbeing hit in the head by a coin thrown from the crowd, as well as Cardiff fans clashing with police after the match.[54][55]The following season, on 7 November 2009, at theLiberty StadiumSwansea claimed a 3–2 victory in a match that again saw crowd disturbances as hundreds of Swansea fans waited outside the ground for the Cardiff fans to depart. This resulted in a total of fifteen arrests being made during and after the match. Cardiff fans also vandalised the North Stand in which they were placed for the game for the second year in a row. Seats and toilets were vandalised, pipe work ripped from walls and doors broken in the away fans' area. The damage was reported to cost thousands of pounds. However, police praised the majority of supporters for their behaviour before, during and after the game which was attended by more than 18,000 fans.[56][57][58]

Swansea achieved promotion to thePremier Leaguein 2011, becoming the first Welsh team to do so and the first Welsh side in the top division of English football since Swansea were relegated from the First Division in 1983.[59]Cardiff also gained promotion in 2013. As a result, the first South Wales derby to be played in England's top division took place during the2013–14 season.[60]Cardiff won the first ever top tier meeting between the sides 1–0 on 3 November 2013, thanks to a headed goal from former Swansea defenderSteven Caulker.[61]Swansea went on to win the return fixture 3–0 in February 2014,[62]but Cardiff's relegation at the end of the season saw the two sides separated again. The derby was not played for a further five years as the two clubs swapped leagues before both returned to the Championship for the2019–20 seasonwith Swansea winning the first meeting 1–0.[63]

In October 2021, Swansea won 3–0 against Cardiff City.[64]Later in the season, Swansea beat Cardiff 4–0 in the reverse fixture; Swansea became the first side to complete the league double in the derby's 110-year history.[65]Swansea have also won both fixtures in the 2022–23 season making them the first team to win four in a row.

Record

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As of 25 August 2024
Competition Total matches Cardiff wins Draw Swansea wins
Football League/Premier League 67 21 18 28
FA Cup 2 0 0 2
League Cup 5 2 0 3
Associate Members' Cup / EFL Trophy 4 1 1 2
Welsh Cup 34 19 8 7
FAW Premier Cup 2 2 0 0
Southern Football League 4 1 2 1
Total 118 46 29 43

Results

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Key to colours and abbreviations: Cardiff City winSwansea City winDraw

Date Competition Stadium Score Cardiff City scorers Swansea City scorers Attendance
7 September 1912 SFLDivision 2 Vetch Field 1–1 Jack Burton Ball 8,000
15 February 1913 Welsh CupSF Ninian Park 4–2 Cassidy(pen),Burton Ball (2), Grierson, Coleman 12,000
15 March 1913 SFLDivision 2 Ninian Park 0–0 10,000
29 November 1913 FA Cup4QR Vetch Field 2–0 Messer, Weir 12,000
27 September 1919 SFLDivision 1 Vetch Field 2–1 Evans Sheldon (2) 15,500
7 February 1920 SFLDivision 1 Ninian Park 1–0 Beare 24,371
24 March 1920 Welsh CupSF Ninian Park 2–1 Evans,West Beynon 7,000
21 April 1923 Welsh CupSF Vetch Field 3–2 Davies,Clennell(2) Smith,Thompson 12,000
2 March 1925 Welsh CupR5 Vetch Field 4–0 Thompson(2), Whitehead (2) 15,000
2 April 1928 Welsh CupR6 Ninian Park 1–0 Smith 10,000
5 October 1929 Division 2 Ninian Park 0–0 29,093
8 February 1930 Division 2 Vetch Field 1–0 Lindsay 22,121
2 April 1930 Welsh CupR6 Ninian Park 4–0 Thirlaway,Jones,Davies,Nelson 8,000
30 August 1930 Division 2 Vetch Field 3–2 Ralph Williams(2) Easton,Ron Williams(2) 20,363
27 December 1930 Division 2 Ninian Park 1–0 L. Jones 24,232
9 March 1933 Welsh Cup8R Vetch Field 1–1 Maidment Blair 3,000
15 March 1933 Welsh Cup8R (replay) Ninian Park 2–1 Maidment,Jones Martin 5,000
8 February 1939 Welsh CupR5 Ninian Park 2–2 Mckenzie,McCaughey Olsen,Bamford 4,000
23 February 1939 Welsh CupR5 (replay) Vetch Field 4–1 Egan(2),Rickards(2) Imrie 1,500
27 August 1949 Division 2 Ninian Park 1–0 Best 57,893
24 December 1949 Division 2 Vetch Field 5–1 Stitfall Lucas(2),McCrory,O'Driscoll(2) 27,264
23 February 1950 Welsh CupR5 Vetch Field 3–0 Richards,Scrine(2) 10,000
4 November 1950 Division 2 Vetch Field 1–0 Lucas 26,224
24 March 1951 Division 2 Ninian Park 1–0 Marchant 41,074
25 December 1951 Division 2 Vetch Field 1–1 Tiddy Baker(o.g.) 19,260
26 December 1951 Division 2 Ninian Park 3–0 Baker,Grant,Tiddy 46,003
30 April 1956 Welsh CupF Ninian Park 3–2 Walsh(2),McSeveney Kiley,Palmer 37,500
24 August 1957 Division 2 Ninian Park 0–0 42,482
21 December 1957 Division 2 Vetch Field 1–0 Hudson 19,483
7 March 1959 Division 2 Ninian Park 1–0 Nurse 24,450
15 April 1959 Division 2 Vetch Field 3–1 Kelly(2),Nurse(o.g.) Webster 14,893
7 November 1959 Division 2 Ninian Park 2–1 Sullivan,Bonson Webster 34,881
2 February 1960 Welsh CupR6 Vetch Field 2–1 Woods(o.g.), Knowles Reynolds 11,000
26 March 1960 Division 2 Vetch Field 3–3 Joe Bonson,Moore,Walsh Reynolds(2),Hale 24,004
22 March 1961 Welsh CupSF Ninian Park 1–1 Tapscott Reynolds 10,470
28 March 1961 Welsh CupSF (replay) Vetch Field 2–1 Tapscott Reynolds(2) 11,965
4 September 1962 Division 2 Vetch Field 2–1 Charles Williams,Thomas 24,687
15 September 1962 Division 2 Ninian Park 5–2 P Davies(o.g.),Charles(2),McIntosh,Hooper Williams(2) 23,454
11 April 1963 Welsh CupR6 Vetch Field 2–0 Jones,Thomas 11,500
19 October 1963 Division 2 Ninian Park 1–1 Scott(pen.) Evans 21,417
28 March 1964 Division 2 Vetch Field 3–0 Draper,Reynolds(2) 18,721
26 December 1964 Division 2 Vetch Field 3–2 Ellis(2) Todd,McLaughlin,Pound 17,875
10 March 1965 Welsh CupSF Vetch Field 1–0 Farrell 7,500
6 April 1965 Division 2 Ninian Park 5–0 Allchurch(3),Charles(2) 15,896
4 January 1966 Welsh CupR5 Vetch Field 2–2 Andrews,King Murray(o.g.),Allchurch 10,275
8 February 1966 Welsh CupR5 (replay) Ninian Park 5–3(a.e.t.) G. Williams,Johnston(2) Todd(2),H. Williams,McLaughlin,Evans 9,836
17 January 1967 Welsh CupR5 Vetch Field 4–0 Lewis,Farrell,Johnston(2) 11,816
22 April 1969 Welsh CupF (first leg) Vetch Field 3–1 Toshack(2),Nurse(o.g.) Williams 10,207
29 April 1969 Welsh CupF (second leg) Ninian Park 2–0 Toshack,Lea 12,617
11 March 1970 Welsh CupSF Ninian Park 2–2 Woodruff,Toshack Evans,Williams 18,050
2 May 1970 Welsh CupSF (replay) Vetch Field 2–0(a.e.t.) Bird,King 20,400
3 January 1972 Welsh CupR5 Vetch Field 2–0 Warboys,Clark 14,319
17 February 1976 Welsh CupR6 Ninian Park 1–1 Bruton(o.g.) Bruton 5,812
3 March 1976 Welsh CupR6 (replay) Vetch Field 3–0 Clark,Alston(2) 10,075
1 January 1980 Division 2 Vetch Field 2–1 Lewis Toshack,Giles 21,306
7 April 1980 Division 2 Ninian Park 1–0 Ronson 14,634
27 December 1980 Division 2 Ninian Park 3–3 Stevens,Kitchen,Buchanan Robinson,Curtis,James 21,198
19 April 1981 Division 2 Vetch Field 1–1 Kitchen James 19,038
12 May 1982 Welsh CupF (first leg) Ninian Park 0–0 11,960
19 May 1982 Welsh CupF (second leg) Vetch Field 2–1 Bennett Latchford(2) 15,858
26 December 1983 Division 2 Ninian Park 3–2 Gibbins,Vaughan,Lee Stanley(pen.),Toshack 14,580
21 April 1984 Division 2 Vetch Field 3–2 Smith,Owen Saunders(2),Walsh 10,275
20 August 1985 League CupR1 (first leg) Ninian Park 2–1 Flynn(2) Marustik 4,218
3 September 1985 League CupR1 (second leg) Vetch Field 3–1 Farrington Randell(2),Pascoe 4,621
26 December 1985 Division 3 Ninian Park 1–0 Vaughan 8,375
28 January 1986 Associate Members' CupR1 Ninian Park 2–0 McCarthy(2) 1,006
31 March 1986 Division 3 Vetch Field 2–0 Hough,Williams 6,643
26 December 1986 Division 4 Ninian Park 0–0 11,450
20 April 1987 Division 4 Vetch Field 2–0 Atkinson,Boyle(own goal) 6,653
29 August 1987 Division 4 Ninian Park 1–0 Gilligan 5,790
1 January 1988 Division 4 Vetch Field 2–2 Ford,Gilligan Allon,Raynor 9,560
30 August 1988 League CupR1 (first leg) Ninian Park 1–0 Thornber 6,241
20 September 1988 League CupR1 (second leg) Vetch Field 2–0 Wheeler,Boyle 6,987
6 December 1988 Associate Members' CupR1 Ninian Park 2–0 Curtis,Gilligan 2,986
26 December 1988 Division 3 Ninian Park 2–2 Gilligan(2) Puckett,Davies 10,675
27 March 1989 Division 3 Vetch Field 1–1 Gilligan Raynor 9,201
26 December 1989 Division 3 Vetch Field 1–0 Barnard 12,244
16 April 1990 Division 3 Ninian Park 2–0 Hughes,Wade 8,356
16 November 1991 FA CupR1 Vetch Field 2–1 Blake Gilligan,Harris 13,516
19 November 1991 Associate Members' CupR1 Vetch Field 0–0 2,955
18 February 1992 Welsh CupR5 Vetch Field 1–0 Pike 7,303
19 January 1993 Associate Members' CupR1 Ninian Park 2–1 Blake Legg,Hayes 13,516
22 December 1993 Second Division Ninian Park 1–0 Thompson 9,815
2 April 1994 Second Division Vetch Field 1–0 Penney 3,711
14 April 1994 Welsh CupSF (first leg) Vetch Field 2–1 Stant(2) Cornforth 3,286
28 April 1994 Welsh CupSF (second leg) Ninian Park 4–1 Fereday,Bird,Stant,Millar(pen.) McFarlane 5,606
3 September 1994 Second Division Ninian Park 1–1 Richardson Hayes 9,815
2 March 1995 Second Division Vetch Field 4–1 Wigg Williams,Penney,Pascoe,Chapple 5,523
11 April 1995 Welsh CupSF (first leg) Vetch Field 1–0 Millar 2,654
2 May 1995 Welsh CupSF (second leg) Ninian Park 0–0 4,227
3 December 1996 Third Division Ninian Park 3–1 White Ampadu,Jones,Thomas 3,721
2 March 1997 Third Division Vetch Field 1–0 Haworth 4,430
2 November 1997 Third Division Ninian Park 1–0 Walker 6,459
8 March 1998 Third Division Vetch Field 1–1 Fowler Coates 5,621
22 November 1998 Third Division Vetch Field 2–1 Williams Thomas,Bound 7,757
2 March 1999 FAW Premier CupQF Ninian Park 3–2 Thomas,Eckhardt,Williams Alsop,Casey 2,333
18 April 1999 Third Division Ninian Park 0–0 10,809
13 May 2002 FAW Premier CupF Ninian Park 1–0 Kavanagh 6,629
23 September 2008 League CupR3 Liberty Stadium 1–0 Gómez 17,411
30 November 2008 Championship Liberty Stadium 2–2 Ledley,McCormack Pratley,Pintado 18,053
5 April 2009 Championship Ninian Park 2–2 Chopra,McCormack Dyer,Allen 20,156
7 November 2009 Championship Liberty Stadium 3–2 Bothroyd,Hudson Dyer,Pratley(2) 18,209
3 April 2010 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 2–1 Chopra(2) Orlandi 25,130
7 November 2010 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 1–0 Emnes 26,049
6 February 2011 Championship Liberty Stadium 1–0 Bellamy 18,280
3 November 2013 Premier League Cardiff City Stadium 1–0 Caulker 27,463
8 February 2014 Premier League Liberty Stadium 3–0 Routledge,Dyer,Bony 20,402
27 October 2019 Championship Liberty Stadium 1–0 Wilmot 20,270
12 January 2020 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 0–0 28,529
12 December 2020 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 2–0 Lowe(2) 0[a]
20 March 2021 Championship Liberty Stadium 1–0 Flint 0[b]
17 October 2021 Championship Swansea Stadium 3–0 Paterson,Piroe,Bidwell 19,288
2 April 2022 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 4–0 Obafemi(2),Cabango,Wolf 27,280
22 October 2022 Championship Swansea Stadium 2–0 Cooper,Obafemi 19,814
1 April 2023 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 3–2 Philogene,Kaba Piroe,Cullen,Cabango 28,232
16 September 2023 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 2–0 Tanner,Ramsey(pen) 28,648
16 March 2024 Championship Swansea Stadium 2–0 Cullen,Lowe 20,005
25 August 2024 Championship Swansea Stadium 1–1 Robinson Cullen 20,174

Player records

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Appearances

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Swansea goalkeeperRoger Freestonehas appeared in more competitive South Wales derbies than any other player. He made his first derby appearance while on loan to the club fromChelseain December 1989.[68]He signed for Swansea on a permanent basis in 1991 and went on to feature in 19 derbies. His final derby appearance was a 1–0 defeat during the 2002FAW Premier Cupfinal.[47]Three players are tied for the second most derby appearances;Alan Harringtonand Herbie Williams both made 17 appearances for one club, Cardiff and Swansea respectively, while Ivor Allchurch played in derbies during spells with both sides.[69]Allchurch and Freestone both made a record 11 derby league appearances, tied withRon Stitfall.[44]

Ranking Player Derby appearances[c] Club
1 Roger Freestone 19 Swansea City
2= Ivor Allchurch 17 Swansea Town&Cardiff City
2= Alan Harrington 17 Cardiff City
2= Herbie Williams 17 Swansea Town
5 Ron Stitfall 16 Cardiff City

Goals

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Brayley Reynoldshas scored more goals in competitive South Wales derbies than any other player. He began his career with Cardiff in 1956 but joined Swansea in 1959 and scored his first derby goal the following year in a Welsh Cup match. He went on to score in his next three derbies, including two braces.[70]His final goals in a derby match was a third brace during a 3–0 victory for Swansea at Vetch Field in March 1964,[71]ending his career with eight goals against Cardiff.[44]Ronnie Williams tallied one less during his career, scoring seven times for Swansea, while Jimmy Gilligan scored six times in spells with both Swansea and Cardiff.George Johnstonis the highest scoring Cardiff player, he scored four times all of which came in the Welsh Cup. Gilligan scored more league goals in the fixture than any other player with five of his goals being scored in the Football League.[44]

Ranking Player Derby goals[c] Club
1 Brayley Reynolds 8 Swansea Town
2 Ronnie Williams 7 Swansea Town
3= Jimmy Gilligan 6 Cardiff City&Swansea Town
3= Herbie Williams 6 Swansea Town
5= George Johnston 4 Cardiff City
5= John Toshack 4 Cardiff City&Swansea City

Players for both clubs

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Transfers between the two sides are relatively rare, the last player to move directly across the South Wales derby divide wasWarren Feeneywho was loaned to Swansea from Cardiff for a brief spell in 2007.[72]The last player to complete a permanent transfer between the sides wasDave Penneywho moved from Swansea to Cardiff in 1997.[73]

In the 1950s and 1960s, the two sides saw several players feature for both sides during their careers, including some of the most noted Welsh players of the era, such asTrevor Ford,Ivor AllchurchandMel Charles.[28][74]However, as the animosity between the two clubs has worsened, players have sometimes received a hostile reception when playing for both sides of the divide. Dave Penney captained Swansea during the1997 Football League Third Division play-off finaland made over 100 appearances for the club before joining Cardiff. Despite this, ahead of his first return to Vetch Field in 2004, he stated that he "expected stick" on his return, adding "Moving from one Welsh club to the other is regarded as the ultimate sin down there."[73]Andy Leggjoined Cardiff in 1998 having played for Swansea earlier in his career and initially received a hostile reception Cardiff fans. When he attempted to celebrate his first goal for the club in front of home fans, he was met with abuse and even received a razor blade in the post. He later stated, "I'd say the hatred between (Cardiff and Swansea) fans [...] was the most intense I have come across."[75]The rivalry is prevalent among the club's staff as well as fans; David Giles has described how he was warned away from speaking to former friends at Swansea when arriving at Vetch Field as a Cardiff player.[13]

Newport rivalry

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Newport Countyare also a South Wales rival, regarding both Cardiff City and Swansea City as rivals, but particularly Cardiff for reasons of proximity and historic rivalry between the two cities. The clubs' relative league positions meant that Newport have rarely played Cardiff or Swansea since 1989, though they have faced each other in cup competitions. A survey byFootball Fans Censusin 2003 saw Swansea, Bristol City and Newport listed as Cardiff's main three rivalries, withStoke Citymatching Newport in third. Swansea meanwhile regarded Cardiff,Bristol CityandBristol Roversas their main rivals.[76]

Notes

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  1. ^No fans were allowed to attend the match due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[66]
  2. ^No fans were allowed to attend the match due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[67]
  3. ^abExcludes friendly and wartime fixtures.

References

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  1. ^Liew, Jonathan (31 October 2014)."20 of the fiercest rivalries in English football".The Independent.Retrieved21 November2019.
  2. ^Shepherd, Richard (19 March 2013)."1899–1920 Foundations & The Early Years".Cardiff City F.C.Retrieved18 November2019.
  3. ^Hayes 2003,p. 5
  4. ^Turner, Robin (1 November 2013)."The South Wales derby: How times have changed in a century of Cardiff City v Swansea City battles".WalesOnline.Media Wales.Retrieved18 November2019.
  5. ^abShuttleworth, Peter (3 April 2009)."Unforgettable Ninian Park derbies".BBC Sport.Retrieved18 November2019.
  6. ^Hayes 2003,p. 13
  7. ^Lloyd 1999,p. 46
  8. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 16–17
  9. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 18–20
  10. ^Lloyd 1999,pp. 62–63
  11. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 23–26
  12. ^abShepherd, Richard (19 March 2013)."1920–1947 Greats Days, Lows & Recovery".Cardiff City F.C.Retrieved12 November2019.
  13. ^abcdHerbert, Ian (3 November 2013)."Cardiff v Swansea: History and hurt behind the squabble for Welsh rule".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 24 May 2022.Retrieved12 November2019.
  14. ^abcdefVincent, Gareth (24 October 2019)."Swansea City v Cardiff City: The 'can't-lose' south Wales derby".BBC Sport.Retrieved14 November2019.
  15. ^Hayes 2003,p. 26
  16. ^Hayes 2003,p. 29
  17. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 32–36
  18. ^Hayes 2003,p. 37
  19. ^Hayes 2003,p. 41
  20. ^Hayes 2003,p. 217
  21. ^Hayes 2003,p. 45
  22. ^Tucker, Steve (5 April 2010)."Chopra 'blitzkrieg' delivers unbridled Bluebirds joy".WalesOnline.Media Wales.Retrieved13 November2019.
  23. ^Jackson, Stuart."Season 1946–47".The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.Retrieved12 November2019.
  24. ^Lloyd 1999,p. 140
  25. ^abShepherd, Richard (2007).The Cardiff City Miscellany.Durrington: Pitch Books. p. 91.ISBN978-1905411047.
  26. ^abHayes 2003,pp. 84–85
  27. ^abHarrison, Matthew (21 April 2013)."A Wales of Two Cities: South Wales Derby (Part One)".outsideoftheboot.Retrieved13 November2019.
  28. ^abWilliams, Gareth (2007).Sport: A Literary Anthology.Summersdale Publishers Ltd. pp. 97–99.ISBN9781902638898.
  29. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 92–93
  30. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 95–96
  31. ^HanesCymru (26 July 2017)."A Supporters' History of the South Wales Derby".100 Years of Swansea City FC.Retrieved21 August2017.
  32. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 99–100
  33. ^Hayes 2003,p. 119
  34. ^"Classic Seasons: 1969–70".Swansea City A.F.C.Retrieved21 November2019.
  35. ^Hayes 2003,p. 125
  36. ^"Cardiff and the hooligan element".BBC News.17 May 2002.Retrieved28 January2008.
  37. ^Perryman, Mark (2013).Hooligan Wars: Causes and Effects of Football Violence.Random House.ISBN9781780578132.
  38. ^Mitten, Andy (1 May 2009)."The bitter battle for Welsh supremacy: Swansea vs Cardiff".FourFourTwo.Retrieved14 November2019.
  39. ^abJames, Stuart (1 November 2013)."Cardiff and Swansea make Premier League history but hatred continues".The Guardian.Retrieved14 November2019.
  40. ^abcOwens, David (5 March 2014)."'The worst violence I have ever seen anywhere in my life': Football intelligence officer recalls South Wales derby clash ".WalesOnline.Media Wales.Retrieved14 November2019.
  41. ^abPike, Keith (23 December 1993)."White and Rocastle swap clubs to revive their careers".The Times.London. p. 40.Retrieved14 November2019– via The Times Digital Archive.
  42. ^Pike, Keith (29 December 1993)."Forlorn pack pursues United".The Times.London. p. 30.Retrieved14 November2019– via The Times Digital Archive.
  43. ^Martin, Chris (12 February 2014)."Going Berserk with Drunk Swansea Fans at the South Wales Derby".Vice.Retrieved14 November2019.
  44. ^abcdHayes 2003,pp. 219–221
  45. ^abJames, Stuart (1 November 2013)."Cardiff and Swansea make Premier League history but hatred continues".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 24 March 2016.Retrieved4 November2018.
  46. ^Perrone, Alessio."The South Wales Derby: Cardiff City – Swansea City".Mondo Futbol.Retrieved16 November2019.
  47. ^abHayes 2003,p. 182
  48. ^"Head-to-head against Cardiff".Soccerbase.Retrieved14 November2019.
  49. ^"Swansea insults disappoint Hammam".BBC Sport.3 April 2006.Archivedfrom the original on 14 February 2009.Retrieved3 January2010.
  50. ^"Swans pair arrested over insults".BBC Sport.5 April 2006.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2006.Retrieved3 January2010.
  51. ^"Trundle ban is 'pathetic'".WalesOnline.Media Wales. 27 June 2006.Retrieved2 March2020.
  52. ^"Police ready for Swans invasion".BBC News.18 March 2006.Retrieved28 January2008.
  53. ^"Fans clash with police at Derby".BBC Sport.24 September 2008.Retrieved14 November2019.
  54. ^"Supporter handed three-year ban for missile-throwing incident".The Guardian.20 April 2009.Retrieved2 March2020.
  55. ^"Arrest after ref hit by missile".BBC News.5 April 2009.Retrieved5 April2009.
  56. ^"Fifteen arrests at football derby".BBC News.8 November 2009.Retrieved8 November2009.
  57. ^Dulin, David (7 November 2009)."Swansea 3–2 Cardiff".BBC News.Retrieved7 November2009.
  58. ^"Stadium damage to cost thousands".BBC Sport.10 November 2009.Retrieved10 November2019.
  59. ^Poyser, Mike (31 October 2013)."Cardiff v Swansea: New chapter opens with Premier League Derby".BBC Sport.Retrieved19 November2019.
  60. ^"Malky Mackay remaining focused ahead of Swansea City derby despite turmoil at Cardiff City".The Daily Telegraph.1 November 2013.Retrieved19 November2019.
  61. ^McNulty, Phil (3 November 2013)."Cardiff City 1–0 Swansea City".BBC Sport.Retrieved14 November2019.
  62. ^West all, Rob (8 February 2014)."Swansea City 3–0 Cardiff City".BBC Sport.Retrieved19 November2019.
  63. ^Pearlman, Michael (27 October 2019)."Swansea City 1–0 Cardiff City".BBC Sport.Retrieved19 November2019.
  64. ^"Swansea City 3–0 Cardiff City".BBC Sport.17 October 2021.Retrieved2 April2022.
  65. ^"Cardiff City 0–4 Swansea City".BBC Sport.2 April 2022.Retrieved2 April2022.
  66. ^Pritchard, Dafydd (12 December 2020)."Cardiff City 0–2 Swansea City".BBC Sport.Retrieved12 December2020.
  67. ^Pearlman, Michael (20 March 2021)."Swansea City 0–1 Cardiff City".BBC Sport.Retrieved20 March2021.
  68. ^Phillips, Terry (4 November 2013)."South Wales derby legends Roger Freestone and Alan Curtis on today's blockbuster clash".WalesOnline.Media Wales.Retrieved20 November2019.
  69. ^Hayes 2003,p. 221
  70. ^Hayes 2003,pp. 101–104
  71. ^Hayes 2003,p. 109
  72. ^"Where are they now? Warren Feeney".Swansea City A.F.C.Retrieved21 November2019.
  73. ^ab"'Bad' Penney turns up for hot Vetch reception ".WalesOnline.Media Wales. 5 March 2004.Retrieved21 November2019.
  74. ^Bywater, Alex (3 August 2014)."Players to have turned out for both Cardiff and Swansea".WalesOnline.Media Wales.Retrieved13 November2019.
  75. ^"Cardiff City and Swansea City legend Andy Legg on what makes the South Wales derby special".WalesOnline.Media Wales. 5 February 2014.Retrieved21 November2019.
  76. ^"Rivalry uncovered!"(PDF).Football Fans Census.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 20 October 2013.Retrieved26 July2013.

Bibliography

  • Hayes, Dean P. (2003),The South Wales Derbies,Manchester: The Parrs Wood Press,ISBN1903158435
  • Lloyd, Grahame (1999),C'mon City! A Hundred Years of the Bluebirds,Seren,ISBN1854112716

Further reading

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