Like most cities across the nation, the rivalry is fierce amongst two or more clubs from the same geographical location, regardless of the gap in terms of league standing.

Fans from both clubs often debate amongst themselves who is ‘older, bigger and better’. This debate past and present will also continue long into the future as clubs progress or decline throughout the football leagues and cup competitions, yet has no bearing on the field of play.

This week we turn our attention to Sheffield. In fact, the city of Sheffield boasts the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield F.C who were founded back in October 1857, as you know, the rest is history!

Over the years, Sheffield has been divided between its two most popular clubs, the blue and white of Sheffield Wednesday, who play their football at Hillsborough and the red and white side of Sheffield United who turn out at Bramall Lane. Only four miles separate the rival clubs.

The argument as to who is better can rumble for years, however, here are FIVE reasons Wednesday are simply bigger…

Trophies

Sheffield Wednesday currently lie as the joint 13th most successful club in history within the English game based on trophies. With a total of eight major trophies, honours include; four League titles, three FA Cups and finally a League Cup victory that most readers will remember after the 1-0 triumph over Manchester United in 1991.

Sheffield United currently sit as the 17th most successful club in the history of the English game based on trophies with four F.A Cup victories and a League title. Furthermore, the Blades also won the Football League North during the wartime period in the 1945-46 campaign.

For those wondering, Leeds United sit as the 15th most successful club with seven trophies, therefore, The Owls sit top of the pile amongst the Yorkshire clubs.

Top Flight Football

Top flight football has been on halt for both clubs in recent years. Interestingly enough, based on points, Sheffield Wednesday still sit as the 14th highest club to have played in the country’s top division since the game began. Sheffield United sit 17th;

14^th. Sheffield Wednesday

Played: 2582 Won: 980 Drawn: 612 Lost: 990

GF: 3976 GA: 4020 GD: -44 PTS: 3552

17^th. Sheffield United

Played: 2356 Won: 871 Drawn: 560 Lost: 925

GF: 3531 GA: 3762 GD: -231 PTS: 3173

In the modern era, Sheffield Wednesday have spent a total of eight seasons in the Premier League with a best finish of 7th. Sheffield United however, have spent a total of three seasons in the Premier League with a best finish of 14th.

Stadium

Hillsborough stadium opened in 1899 and has a record attendance of 72,841 in a F.A Cup 5th round tie against Manchester City in 1934. After development, restructure and seating implications, Hillsborough now has a capacity of 39,732.

Bramall Lane currently holds 32,702 spectators and their highest recorded official attendance to date was also a F.A Cup 5th round fixture against Leeds United whereby 68,287 fans flocked into the ground.

Older establishment

Sheffield Wednesday are the 5th oldest professional football club in England. Founded in 1867, members of the ‘Wednesday’ cricket club officially established the second football team within the city following Sheffield F.C.

22 years later, Sheffield United were established in March of 1889. The Blades are the 50^th oldest professional football club in the country. As crazy as it may now seem, it was actually the Sheffield F.A and Sheffield Wednesday Chairman at the time, Sir Charles Clegg who founded the ‘Sheffield United Cricket and Football Club’.

The first ever fixture between the two clubs was a 2-1 victorious win for Wednesday on April 23rd 1891 in front of 3,250 fans, over 125 years ago.

Present day

The Owls continue to give promotion to the Premier League a huge push after narrowly missing out at the final hurdle in the Championship playoff final defeat to Hull City in 2016. The Blades, however look certain to be playing Championship football next season as they sit at the summit of League 1.

Sheffield Wednesday have faced rivals Sheffield United on 140 occasions (including cup competitions) throughout the history of both football clubs.

Sheffield Wednesday Wins: 48

Sheffield United Wins: 48

Draws: 44

Although nothing separates the two teams in terms of victories, we all remember the most recent fixture between the two clubs on 26th February 2012. Sheffield Wednesday won the Yorkshire derby 1-0 courtesy of a Chris O’Grady headed goal in the 73rd minute in front of 36,000 plus spectators. The Wednesday faithful still chant ‘This City is Ours’ and have done so for over five years, until at least the next fixture of course…