Severnside derby
The Severnside derby is a local derby in football in the United Kingdom between Welsh club Cardiff City and either of the English clubs, Bristol City or Bristol Rovers.[1] Alternatively, it may be between Newport County and either of the Bristol-based clubs.
Location | South Wales and West Country (England) |
---|---|
Teams | |
First meeting | Bristol City 2–0 Cardiff City FA Cup (9 January 1915) |
Latest meeting | Bristol City 0–1 Cardiff City EFL Championship (2 March 2024) |
Next meeting | TBA |
Stadiums | Ashton Gate Stadium (Bristol City) Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff City) |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 102 |
Most wins | Bristol City (42 wins) |
Most player appearances | Louis Carey (Bristol City) (36) |
Largest victory | Bristol City 0–6 Cardiff City (26 January 2010) |
Reasons for the rivalry
Although it is a traditional local rivalry, it is different in that it also crosses the Wales–England border, increasing somewhat the hostility between the two teams. As well as bragging rights the matches are seen as an "international contest".[2][3] Both sets of fans use this to taunt each other with patriotic songs.
In the Football Fans census in 2003 about football rivalries, Bristol City and Cardiff were listed as 10th and 13th in the UK respectively in a list of teams.[1]
Violence
Both teams' fans have a history of hooliganism and have their own hooligan firm: Cardiff's being the Soul Crew and Bristol City with the City Service Firm. Due to the fierce rivalry and the history of the two teams the encounters can end up with some sort of conflict, commonly pre-organised.[4]
In an attempt to discourage the violence, games between the two are usually kept "all coach", meaning that everyone travelling to an away game must travel using the club's official transport and therefore no one can travel to the game of their own accord.[5] The coaches are usually accompanied by a heavy police presence and away fans tend to be kept in the ground after the game until the home fans have all left. While this has been mildly successful in stopping organised fights, fans still attempt to attack each other by throwing objects such as bottles and coins during the game.[4]
The violence involved with this derby was featured in a BBC documentary in 2001, Hooligans. In the programme a reporter wearing a hidden camera infiltrated the Soul Crew, exposing the use of racist chanting and abuse as well as a lack of control by stewards and police.[4]
Notable characters in past encounters

Unlike the South Wales derby, and the Bristol derby, it is not usually frowned upon to sign a player or manager who has played for the opposition in the Severnside Derby. The only players that are disfavoured are players who are remembered for one-off incidents.
Such players include former Bristol City player Lee Trundle, who is hated by Cardiff fans for a long affiliation with rivals Swansea City. After winning the LDV Vans Trophy in 2006, Trundle took to the pitch wearing a T-shirt depicting a Swansea fan urinating on a Cardiff City shirt. He also held up a Flag of Wales with the words "Fuck off Cardiff" on it but claimed he did not realise it was written on there.[6][7]
Head-to-head record
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Current as of 2 March 2024 Statistics obtained from Soccerbase.[8]
Game list
- Bristol City win Cardiff City win Draw
Date | Competition | Stadium | Score | Bristol City scorers[9] | Cardiff City scorers[10] | Attendance[11] | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 March 2024 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Perry Ng ![]() |
24,035 | ||
28 October 2023 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 2-0 | Perry Ng ![]() Rubin Colwill |
25,806 | ||
4 March 2023 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 2–0 | Sory Kaba ![]() Jaden Philogene ![]() |
22,156 | ||
21 August 2022 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Tommy Conway ![]() Robert Atkinson ![]() |
21,649 | ||
22 January 2022 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–2 | Chris Martin ![]() Andreas Weimann ![]() |
James Collins ![]() Max Watters ![]() |
21,435 | |
28 August 2021 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 2–1 | Andreas Weimann ![]() |
Dan Bentley ![]() |
20,891 | |
6 February 2021 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Curtis Nelson![]() Kieffer Moore ![]() |
0 | ||
6 November 2020 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 1–0 | Chris Martin ![]() |
0 | ||
4 July 2020 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Danny Ward ![]() |
0 | ||
10 Nov 2019 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 1–0 | Josh Brownhill ![]() |
23,846 | ||
Cardiff City were relegated to Championship 2018–19 | |||||||
Cardiff City were promoted to Premier League 2017–18 | |||||||
25 Feb 2018 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 1–0 | Kenneth Zohore ![]() |
21,018 | ||
4 Nov 2017 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Callum O'Dowda ![]() Aden Flint ![]() |
Omar Bogle ![]() |
21,692 | |
14 Jan 2017 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–2 | Brian Murphy ![]() Tammy Abraham ![]() |
Anthony Pilkington ![]() Kadeem Harris ![]() |
19,452 | |
14 Oct 2016 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 2–1 | Lee Tomlin ![]() |
Peter Whittingham ![]() Sol Bamba ![]() |
22,776 | [g 1] |
5 Mar 2016 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Lex Immers ![]() Stuart O'Keefe ![]() |
15,758 | [g 2] | |
26 October 2015 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 0–0 | 15,287 | |||
Bristol City were promoted to Championship 2014–15 | |||||||
Cardiff City were relegated to Championship 2013–14 | |||||||
Bristol City were relegated to League One 2012–13 Cardiff City were promoted to Premier League 2012–13 | |||||||
16 Feb 2013 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 2–1 | Ben Nugent ![]() |
Fraizer Campbell ![]() |
25,586 | |
25 Aug 2012 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 4–2 | Stephen Pearson ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Joe Mason ![]() ![]() |
14,368 | [g 3] |
10 Mar 2012 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Jon Stead ![]() |
Stephen McManus ![]() ![]() |
12,495 | [g 4] |
14 Aug 2011 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 3–1 | Nicky Maynard ![]() |
Mark Hudson ![]() ![]() ![]() |
22,639 | [g 5] |
1 Jan 2011 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–0 | Brett Pitman ![]() ![]() ![]() |
15,638 | [g 6] | |
16 Oct 2010 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 3–2 | Steven Caulker ![]() ![]() |
Jay Bothroyd ![]() ![]() |
22,444 | [g 7] |
26 Jan 2010 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 6–0 | Peter Whittingham ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
13,825 | [g 8] | |
19 Jan 2010 | FA Cup | Cardiff City Stadium | 1–0 | Bradley Orr ![]() |
6,731 | [g 9] | |
12 Jan 2010 | FA Cup | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–1 | Gavin Williams ![]() |
Michael Chopra ![]() |
7,289 | [g 10] |
23 Aug 2009 | Championship | Cardiff City Stadium | 3–0 | Jamie McCombe ![]() ![]() ![]() |
20,853 | [g 11] | |
15 Mar 2009 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–1 | Nicky Maynard ![]() |
Ross McCormack ![]() |
17,487 | |
13 Sep 2008 | Championship | Ninian Park | 0–0 | 19,312 | |||
22 Mar 2008 | Championship | Ninian Park | 2–1 | Dele Adebola ![]() |
Roger Johnson ![]() ![]() |
16,458 | |
15 Dec 2007 | Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Marvin Elliott ![]() |
15,753 | ||
Bristol City were promoted to Championship 2006–07 | |||||||
Cardiff City were promoted to First Division 2002–03 | |||||||
13 May 2003 | Second Division play-offs | Ashton Gate Stadium | 0–0 | 16,307 | |||
10 May 2003 | Second Division play-offs | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Peter Thorne ![]() |
19,146 | ||
22 Apr 2003 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Brian Tinnion ![]() ![]() |
15,615 | ||
14 Dec 2002 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 2–0 | Brian Tinnion ![]() ![]() |
15,239 | ||
29 Dec 2001 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 3–1 | Scott Murray ![]() ![]() |
Graham Kavanagh ![]() |
16,149 | |
9 Oct 2001 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–1 | Mickey Bell ![]() |
Robert Earnshaw ![]() |
13,804 | |
Cardiff City are promoted to Second Division 2000–01 | |||||||
Cardiff City are relegated to Third Division 1999–2000 | |||||||
22 Feb 2000 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 0–0 | 6,586 | |||
9 Jan 2000 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 0–0 | 10,570 | |||
Bristol City are relegated to Second Division 1998–99 Cardiff City are promoted to Second Division 1998–99 | |||||||
Bristol City are promoted to First Division 1997–98 | |||||||
Bristol City are relegated to Second Division 1994–95 Cardiff City are relegated to Third Division 1994–95 | |||||||
Cardiff City are promoted to Second Division 1992–93 | |||||||
25 Aug 1992 | League Cup | Ashton Gate Stadium | 5–1 | Andy Cole (3), Leroy Rosenior, Wayne Allison | Carl Dale | 9,801 | |
18 Aug 1992 | League Cup | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Carl Dale | 4,066 | ||
Cardiff City are relegated to Fourth Division 1989–90 | |||||||
10 Feb 1990 | Third Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Gary Shelton | 11,982 | ||
16 Sep 1989 | Third Division | Ninian Park | 3–0 | Gary Shelton, Bob Taylor, Robbie Turner | 5,970 | ||
1 Apr 1989 | Third Division | Ninian Park | 1–1 | Bob Taylor | Nicky Platnauer | 6,358 | |
17 Dec 1988 | Third Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Rob Newman, Nigel Hawkins | 7,493 | ||
Cardiff City are promoted to Third Division 1987–88 | |||||||
Cardiff City are relegated to Fourth Division 1985–86 | |||||||
25 Jan 1986 | Third Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Steve Neville, Gary Marshall | Paul Wheeler | 7,541 | |
14 Sep 1985 | Third Division | Ninian Park | 3–1 | Alan Walsh (2), Howard Pritchard | Graham Withey | 4,412 | |
Cardiff City are relegated to Third Division 1984–85 | |||||||
Bristol City are promoted to Third Division 1983–84 | |||||||
Cardiff City are promoted to Second Division 1982–83 | |||||||
Bristol City are relegated to Fourth Division 1981–82 Cardiff City are relegated to Third Division 1981–82 | |||||||
Bristol City are relegated to Third Division 1980–81 | |||||||
20 Apr 1981 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 3–2 | Kevin Mabbutt, Jimmy Mann (2) | Steve Grapes, Peter Kitchen | 5,575 | |
26 Dec 1980 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 0–0 | 15,039 | |||
Bristol City are releged to Second Division 1979–80 | |||||||
Bristol City are promoted to First Division 1975–76 Cardiff City are promoted to Second Division 1975–76 | |||||||
Cardiff City are relegated to Third Division 1974–75 | |||||||
26 Dec 1974 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 0–0 | 12,484 | |||
14 Sep 1974 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Keith Fear ![]() |
8,858 | ||
19 Aug 1974 | League Cup | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Gerry Sweeney ![]() Geoff Merrick ![]() |
Jimmy McInch ![]() |
8,813 | |
2 Feb 1974 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–2 | Trevor Tainton ![]() Gerry Sweeney ![]() |
Leighton Phillips ![]() Andy McCullough ![]() |
24,487 | |
15 Dec 1973 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Don Gillies ![]() |
9,368 | ||
26 Dec 1972 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Gerry Gow ![]() |
20,490 | ||
23 Sep 1972 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 3–1 | Gerry Gow ![]() John Galley ![]() Brian Drysdale ![]() |
Gary Bell ![]() |
14,102 | |
26 Apr 1972 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 3–2 | Peter Spiring ![]() Gerry Gow ![]() |
Alan Warboys ![]() Bobby Woodruff ![]() |
17,227 | |
31 Aug 1971 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | John Galley ![]() Gerry Gow ![]() |
23,525 | ||
3 Apr 1971 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Ken Wimshurst ![]() |
24,368 | ||
29 Aug 1970 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Gerry Sharpe ![]() |
24,969 | ||
29 Dec 1969 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | John Toshack | 18,479 | ||
23 Aug 1969 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Brian Clark, Ronnie Bird (pen) | 23,237 | ||
25 Jan 1969 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 3–0 | Brian Clark (2), Peter King | 26,210 | ||
28 Sep 1968 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–0 | Peter King, John Toshack, Barrie Jones | 20,632 | ||
2 Mar 1968 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | John Galley | 15,334 | ||
14 Oct 1967 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–1 | Chris Crowe | Bobby Brown | 15,609 | |
31 Dec 1966 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 5–1 | Gerry Sharpe | Bobby Brown (2), Gordon Low (own goal), Ronnie Bird (2) | 12,306 | |
27 Aug 1966 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Gordon Low | John Toshack (pen), George Andrews | 11,952 | |
18 Mar 1966 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 2–1 | Brian Clark | Peter King, John Toshack | 13,405 | |
25 Sep 1965 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–1 | John Atyeo | Bernard Lewis | 15,300 | |
Bristol City are promoted to Second Division 1964–65 | |||||||
Cardiff City are relegated to Second Division 1961–62 | |||||||
Bristol City are relegated to Third Division 1959–60 Cardiff City are promoted to First Division 1959–60 | |||||||
16 Jan 1960 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–0 | Joe Bonson, Graham Moore, Peter McCall (og) | 18,184 | ||
5 Sep 1959 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 4–2 | John Atyeo, Wally Hinshelwood | Colin Hudson (2), Johnny Watkins, Colin Baker | 22,545 | |
27 Dec 1958 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Tommy Burden (og) | 27,146 | ||
26 Dec 1958 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–2 | Bobby Etheridge, John Atyeo | Joe Bonson (2), Brian Walsh | 27,570 | |
7 Apr 1958 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Bobby Etheridge, John Atyeo | 25,723 | ||
4 Apr 1958 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 3–2 | Bobby Etheridge, John Atyeo, Bert Tindill | Ron Hewitt (2) | 15,567 | |
Cardiff City are relegated to Second Division 1956–57 | |||||||
Bristol City are promoted to Second Division 1954–55 | |||||||
Cardiff City are promoted to First Division 1951–52 | |||||||
Cardiff City are promoted to Second Division 1946–47 | |||||||
7 Apr 1947 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 1–1 | Sid Williams | Stan Richards | 49,310 | |
4 Apr 1947 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Don Clark, Sammy Collins | Billy Rees | 32,535 | |
No competitive football took place between 1939 and 1945 due to World War II | |||||||
1 Apr 1939 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–1 | Dick Armstrong | Harry Egan | 10,003 | |
11 Jan 1939 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 2–1 | Lew Booth | Ritchie Smith, George Walton | 8,645 | |
5 Mar 1938 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Jimmy Collins | 38,953 | ||
15 Dec 1937 | FA Cup | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Jimmy Collins (2) | 23,050 | ||
11 Dec 1937 | FA Cup | Ninian Park | 1–1 | Joe Brain | Bert Turner | 25,472 | |
23 Oct 1937 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 0–0 | 17,858 | |||
1 May 1937 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Jack Haycox, Dick Armstrong | Jack Hick (og) | 4,360 | |
14 Sep 1936 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 3–1 | Willie White | Reg Pugh, Albert Pinxton, Les Talbot | 24,936 | |
28 Mar 1936 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Reg Keating | 9,755 | ||
23 Nov 1935 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Jack Diamond, Joe Roberts | 10,350 | ||
4 May 1935 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 4–0 | Albert Banfield, Ernie Brinton, Ted Harston, Leo Loftus | 5,558 | ||
22 Dec 1934 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 3–3 | Ted Harston (2), Leo Loftus | Harry Riley, Billy Bassett, Reg Keating | 7,043 | |
24 Mar 1934 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–0 | Joe Riley (2), Tommy Foy | 7,186 | ||
11 Nov 1933 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 5–1 | Syd Homer, Leo Loftus, Jimmy Heale, Gordon Reed (2) | Jack Galbraith | 9,090 | |
15 Apr 1933 | Third Division South | Ashton Gate Stadium | 3–1 | Ted Bowen (3) | George Russell | 7,176 | |
3 Dec 1932 | Third Division South | Ninian Park | 1–1 | Albert Keating | Les Jones | 6,115 | |
Bristol City are relegated to Third Division South 1931–32 | |||||||
Cardiff City are relegated to Third Division South 1930–31 | |||||||
14 Feb 1931 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Bertie Williams | 11,780 | ||
11 Oct 1930 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 1–0 | Sidney Elliott | 19,447 | ||
26 Dec 1929 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–1 | Percy Vials | Harry Wake | 25,244 | |
25 Dec 1929 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Arthur Johnson, Bertie Williams | 17,140 | ||
Cardiff City are relegated to Second Division 1928–29 | |||||||
Bristol City are promoted to Second Division 1926–27 | |||||||
Bristol City are relegated to Third Division South 1923–24 | |||||||
23 Feb 1924 | FA Cup | Ninian Park | 3–0 | Jimmy Gill (2), Joe Clennell | 50,000 | ||
Bristol City are promoted to Second Division 1922–23 | |||||||
Cardiff City are promoted to First Division 1920–21 | |||||||
22 Jan 1921 | Second Division | Ninian Park | 1–0 | Albert Barnett | 42,000 | ||
15 Jan 1921 | Second Division | Ashton Gate Stadium | 0–0 | 35,000 | |||
Cardiff City join The Football League 1920–21 | |||||||
21 Feb 1920 | FA Cup | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–1 | Bert Neesam, Tommy Howarth | George Beare | 32,452 | |
9 Jan 1915 | FA Cup | Ashton Gate Stadium | 2–0 | Eddie Burton (2) | 15,000 |
References
- "Football Rivalries census" (PDF). Football Fans Census. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
- "Are you ready?" bcfc.co.uk Retrieved on 10 September 2013
- "Trundle keen to gun down Bluebirds" Teamtalk.com Retrieved on 27 December 2007
- "Hooligans – Bristol City". BBC News. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
- "Hooligans ready for big kick-off" The Observer Retrieved on 10 September 2013
- Richards, Huw (June 2006). "Local difficulties". When Saturday Comes. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- "Swans pair handed one-match bans". BBC Sport. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
- "head-to-head: All time results between Bristol City and Cardiff City". soccerbase. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- Woods, David M; Crabtree, Andrew (1987). Bristol City: A Complete Record, 1894-1987. Breedon Books Publishing. ISBN 0907969275.
- Crooks, John (1986). Cardiff City Chronology 1920-86. John Crooks. ISBN 0-9511984-0-8.
- Shepherd, Richard (2002). The Definitive Cardiff City F.C. Tony Brown. ISBN 1-899-46817-X.
Game References
- "Cardiff City 2–1 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- "Bristol City 0–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- "Bristol City 4–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- "Bristol City 1–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
- "Cardiff 3–1 Bristol City". Cardiff City Official Site. 14 August 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- "Bristol City 3–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- "Cardiff 3–2 Bristol City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
- "Bristol City 0–6 Cardiff". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- "Cardiff 1–0 Bristol City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
- "Bristol City 1–1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
- "Cardiff 3–0 Bristol City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2009.