Rival fans saw ‘friendly banter’ mixed with violent scenes when Sheffield two football clubs met for the 148th time last weekend.
Five people were arrested at the Steel City derby last Sunday during the match between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday which resulted in the Owls becoming the first team in English Football League history to be relegated in February.
The tie at at Bramall Lane saw escalating tensions which led to additional police support from West Yorkshire.
Speaking before kick-off, an officer of South Yorkshire Police said that the fixture carries a risk beyond that of a typical match.
He said: “You’ve obviously got your normal fans at any football game and then the ones who want to cause trouble.”
When asked whether the rivalry makes the game different in terms of policing, he said: “It heightens it yes, especially with today’s jeopardy for Wednesday, with Sheffield United potentially sending them down.”
The added tension was visible around the stadium before kick-off, with supporters describing scenes of crowd hostility as among the worst they had seen at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United fans Adele, 35, and Liz, 34, said that it was ‘definitely the most violent’ atmosphere they had seen at the ground.
The derby is one of the oldest derbies in English football history, with the first fixture between the sides taking place over 132 years ago. However, alongside its longevity comes a history of disorder, and more recently, in 2022, the rivalry was overshadowed by a fatal attack on a Sheffield Wednesday supporter, resulting in a manslaughter conviction.
Despite the hostility, some supporters stressed that not all tension translates into violence. Blades fan Glen, 53, described the rivalry as largely ‘banter’.
He said: “I was sat with a Wednesday fan last night, but it’s just banter. Obviously you do get some idiots.”
When asked how he would feel if Wednesday ceased to exist amid ongoing financial uncertainty, he said he would be ‘disappointed’.
He added: “At the end of the day I’m a football fan and rivalry aside I do feel a bit sorry for them.”
