unistudent92 Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Hi all, I am hoping to investigate some of the rivalries in non-league football for a uni project, but as there are so many sides involved, many of which without an abundance of information online, it’s not an easy task to establish. So I’m looking for some help from non-league fans. Which team do you support and who do you see as their rivals? Why does such a rivalry exist – location, previous events, a wider social meaning? If both sides have played recently, what is the atmosphere like at games? And if both teams rarely play each other, how/why does this rivalry exist? At the moment I’m focusing on teams between Step 5 and Step 8 – any lower and it would simply not be possible for me to investigate them all thoroughly. But by all means if you support a side lower than that, tell me about them. My uni project involves creating a 16-page magazine which will include articles such as features, interviews and match reports – I am planning to hopefully attend some games between rivals so if you know of any coming up between now and March, let me know. I am looking for some really interesting rivalries which fans outside of non-league football may not be aware about, but definitely should be! Thanks very much for your help in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missunderstood Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 In the 60s and 70s there was a real bitter rivalry between Romford and Chelmsford City in our old Southern League days, with many of the games attracting gates of four thousand plus. Last year City held a nostalgia evening which was attended by a surprisingly large crowd of supporters of both clubs. Both clubs have active forums, so if you need to know anything I'm sure many of us will love to help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Hornchurch and Romford a couple of seasons ago ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastside Urchin Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Hornchurch and Romford have only played each other in 3 competitive matches I believe around 2005,certainly in our latest formation. Hornchurch fans tend to find Romford a nuisance more than anything,nothing really malicious although the anti Romford feeling goes back to when they ground shared with us n the early 90's and left with a nasty taste in the mouth,as it was felt they tried to bully us out then on leaving were quite rude and obnoxious. Romford tend to not like Hornchurch because of the money that came into the club and led to the demise of Hornchuch FC but if the shoe was on the other foot,they would of embraced it,anything to get a new ground. Just lately it is calm with a few mutterings from one or two individuals,most of the fans who now each other get on fine to be honest but I suppose if the fixture was played more it may be different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mayor Of Simpleton Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Where I live, Gloucester City and Forest Green Rovers have quite a strong rivalry. The rivalry used to be quite friendly, when both clubs were in the Southern League, and indeed when Trevor Horsley (a former Director at Forest Green Rovers) allowed Gloucester City to use The New Lawn as a temporary home ground after the 2007 floods killed Gloucester City's old ground Meadow Park. However, ever since Forest Green Rovers have been taken over by Dale Vince they have developed a 'superiority complex' not only over us but other teams too. A lot of their fans have launched personal attacks on supporters of Gloucester City who've dared to question Dale's 'Vegetarian Policy' and also their shirts changing colour this season and also that their club logo is the same as their owner's company 'Ecotricity.' Gloucester City have had loans refused by Forest Green Rovers, and the last friendly match between the two resulted in fights at Whaddon Road. A few of our fans would like to see them fall back to the Hellenic, once Dale Vince leaves (which he will soon, as he's been sent death threats by 'fans' and also Ecotricity has failed to get planning permission for a wind-farm at Malvern which he has spent over £100,000 on). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cup of tea Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Grimsby and Lincoln City would be a good one to look at, have a look at Grimbsy's forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastside Urchin Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Margate and ramsgate don't care for each other Sutton v Carshalton Dorchester v Weymouth Wealdstone v harrow Enfield v barnet used to be a biggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missunderstood Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Maldon Town and Heybridge Swifts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich the pipe Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Billericay and Chelmsford and also Hornchurch, both playing each other over christmas period Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastside Urchin Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 I dont think Billericay v Hornchurch is a real top rivalry,most ricay fans probably dislike canvey more and i think their main rival is Chelmsford,although its a funny one as i don't think they actual mind each other. Maldon v Heybridge has never really struck me as being much of a rivalry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mayor Of Simpleton Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 Gloucester v Merthyr Tydfil was the oldest cross-border rival game, and always a fierce derby, but Merthyr Tydfil had to reform as Merthyr Town a few years back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unistudent92 Posted December 4, 2012 Author Share Posted December 4, 2012 Thanks so much for your replies so far! With your help I've started to make a plan of which rivalries to investigate and some fixtures which I could possibly attend. I have also been thinking about how interviews with players who played for both rival clubs would enhance my work, so if you could suggest to me some players that you know of and how they are perceived by fans, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mayor Of Simpleton Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Hi Unistudent, I will ask Jenni Silver and Matt Phillips at Gloucester City for you. Gloucester also have Tigers Radio, and I think they have a direct email - am sure they'd love to help you out with your project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missunderstood Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Thanks so much for your replies so far! With your help I've started to make a plan of which rivalries to investigate and some fixtures which I could possibly attend. I have also been thinking about how interviews with players who played for both rival clubs would enhance my work, so if you could suggest to me some players that you know of and how they are perceived by fans, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again! If you contact the Romford and Chelmsford forums there should be lots of people who would love to give their accounts of the good old days. There's also quite a few old photos on the Romford forum that may interest you. Another good source of information could be trawling through old local newspapers and many libraries have some going back many years that you can look at online. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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