Monday 3 December 2012

Derby v Leeds - An Old Farts Rivalry From the 70's

Leeds United visit Pride Park on Saturday and those of us in our 40's can remember the rivalry that existed between the two clubs in the 1970's.

Dirty Leeds, as they were often referred to lead by Don Revie against a Rams side managed by Brian Clough.

I don't propose to start a great debate on the physical nature of the old Leeds side, nor do I propose to start another Clough v Revie debate either. Both managers put their respective club on the map and there has even been a book written about the rivalry between the two.

The clash has seen some great games. Even today the fixture has seen fans witness some cracking encounters. Fortunately for Rams fans, the last seven times the clubs have met, it's been Derby who have emerged victorious.

For those expecting Derby to make it eight on the trot I would say that Leeds appear to have found their feet in recent weeks and a tough encounter lies ahead.

Back in the 70's, this was a game that used to give me butterflies whilst walking up Shaftesbury Crescent towards the old Baseball Ground.

One of the most famous clashes between the two was after Clough and Revie had departed their roles as managers.

In the 1975-76 season, Jimmy Armfield brought his Leeds side to face Dave Mackay's reigning league Champions. Derby won the game 3-2, however it's not the football that most people recall in this clash.

Francis Lee went down after a challenge by Norman Hunter. Hunter obviously thought that Lee had dived and a bout of fisticuffs followed. Both were given their marching orders and made their way to the dressing rooms. Seconds later they were at it again, laying in to each other before being split for a second time.

Any Rams fan as old as me will remember the game well. It was a featured game on Match of the Day.

The two players are reported to have a laugh and a joke over it nowadays when it comes up in discussion too.

Derby versus Leeds rivalry might not be highlighted in today's game, but back then it was probably one the the top flights most hotly contested fixtures.


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