Statistically Speaking... Steel City Derby

Last updated : 17 February 2012 By @blades_mad1889

There have been 126 Steel City Derbies taken place prior to this Sunday's clash at S6 with United winning a large percentage (37%) of these fixtures, although the last two outings have ended in draws. The last team to win a Derby match was United when the Blades recorded a 3-2 victory in Wednesday's relegation season of 2009/10.

Ironically the first ever professional meeting of the two teams also ended in a 1-1 draw, this was on 16 October 1893 - the report from this match was published on Blades-Mad prior to our last meeting this season. However the Red and Blue of Sheffield had met times before that in friendly matches. The first ever meeting of the two teams came on 15 December 1890 at Olive Grove, the former ground of Wednesday - the Owls won 2-1 that day with W. Robertson netting for United. Surprisingly; there was no meeting between the two clubs in the Blades first ever season of 1889/90 - they did however face Sheffield sides; Sheffield Exchange, Sheffield Heeley, Sheffield Club and Attercliffe!

The Owls gained their last victory at either Hillsborough or Bramall Lane on 7 February 2009 (2-1) when there win at the Lane completed the double over United; it was the first time they had formed a double victory in a season for 94 years. On 18 September 2009 United claimed there last victory in a Sheffield Derby (3-2) - Jamie Ward, Darius Henderson and Lewis Buxton (own goal) on target for the Blades whilst the Owls responded with strikes from Marcus Tudgay and Etienne Esajas.

At this level (Third Tier) there has only been one ever season were a Steel City Derby has taken place. This was in the 1979/80 campaign were Wednesday unforgettably beat United 4-0 on Boxing Day. In the return fixture at Bramall Lane on 5 April the pair drew 1-1 and finished the season mid-table (12th) whilst Wednesday finished 3rd and was enough to secure promotion.

Alan Quinn remains the only player to have scored in a Steel City Derby for both clubs; his two goals both occurred at Bramall Lane and both ending in United victories. His first strike (46 minutes) came in January 2003 for Wednesday when he netted the first goal of the game only for it to end 3-1 and his second (for United) came in December 2005 (24 minutes) in a 1-0 win as the Blades celebrated promotion to the Premier League that season.

On other records Lewis Buxton holds the record for netting the Blades 100th Derby goal in all competitive competitions at Bramall Lane when he headed into his own net following a challenge from Darius Henderson in the 2009/10 encounter.

:: Memorable Matches ::

There have of course being some famous victories for both sides too over the years; older fans may recall United overthrowing Wednesday at Bramall Lane on 8 September 1951 when in front of 51,075 fans United beat their rivals by a whopping 7-3 score-line. In fact the Owls had taken the lead inside 90 seconds through Thomas but United bounced back and by half-time where leading 2-1 with strikes from Derek Hawksworth and Harold Brook; it could have been more but McIntosh in the Owls goal had kept out Fred Furniss spot kick.

Dennis Woodhead leveled for the Owls on the hour mark with the scores locked at 2-2 with 30 minutes of play remaining. In rapid response Alf Ringstead, Hawksworth and Ringstead again and Fred Smith netted to make it six - Woodhead reduced the deficit for the visitors but Brook netted again to complete the rout.

Wednesday fans will boast that the 'Boxing Day Massacre' as there biggest Steel City victory, winning 4-0 at Hillsborough in 1979 (We are sure it will be mentioned somewhere in the match day programme!) and whilst no doubt it is a famous victory for the Blue half of Sheffield it isn't their biggest official recorded winning score. They beat United on their own ground 5-2 in the old First Division on 22 September 1928 but their biggest win came on 13 February 1943 when they recorded a War League win of 8-2 at home.

On three occasions the two teams have drawn 3-3 which is the biggest scoring draws between the two clubs. The first draw came at Bramall Lane on 6 November 1909, since then they have drawn by the same score-line at Hillsborough on 4 February 1928 and 24 September 1932.

Away from home the Blades best score-line at Hillsborough has ended in a 3-1 victory in favour of the Red & White Wizards - this has happened on four occasions in; 1909/10, 1930/31, 1951/52 and most recently 1991/92. United have managed a 5-2 win in S6 before today in a County Cup fixture in 1955/56 and in the War League campaign of 1917/18 the Owls recorded a 5-0 win at the Lane.

On 21 November 1989 there was a rare occurrence were there was just one position difference between the two clubs but yet there was two Divisions separating them when they met in the Zenith Data Systems Cup Second Round at Hillsborough. The game finished 2-2 at 90 minutes and Wednesday went on to score a winner in extra-time. At the end of the season they changed hands with the Owls being relegated and United winning promotion to Division One.

:: Derby Doubles ::

Sheffield United have managed ten league doubles over Wednesday, they accomplished this in; 1894/95, 1904/05, 1926/27, 1933/34, 1937/38, 1951/52, 1954/55, 1961/62, 1991/92 and most recently 2005/06. Wednesday have completed six doubles; 1905/06, 1907/08, 1910/11, 1912/13, 1913/14 and 2009/09. However with this seasons encounter at Bramall Lane ending 2-2 neither side can complete a derby double.

:: Hat-tricks ::

Only one Blade has netted a league hat-trick against our most fiercest rival; that honour goes to Bill Boyd (1933/34) in a  5-1 win. Unofficially there has been four others; Arthur Watson (1895/96) in a friendly fixture, Harry Johnson (1927/28) in the FA Cup, Jimmy Dunne (1932/33) scored four in a County Cup Final and Charlie Thompson (1942/43) scored three in the War League.

Picture: Captains table - Sheffield United captain Stewart Houston shakes hands with Sheffield Wednesday's Carl Shutt (image copyright to actionimages.com) in our League Cup encounter on 9 September 1980 at Hillsborough.

  PLD WON DRW LST GF GA
Football League 113 42 36 35 156 146
League Cup 3 0 1 1 2 5
FA Cup 9 3 3 3 14 13
Full Members Cup 1 0 0 1 2 3
Total 126 45 40 41 174 167

:: Head-to-Head ::

SeasonDateHomeScoreAwayCompetition
2011/2012 Sun 16 Oct Sheff. Utd. 2 - 2 Sheff. Wed. League One  
2009/2010 Sun 18 Apr Sheff. Wed. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
  Fri 18 Sep Sheff. Utd. 3 - 2 Sheff. Wed. Championship  
2008/2009 Sat 07 Feb Sheff. Utd. 1 - 2 Sheff. Wed. Championship  
  Sun 19 Oct Sheff. Wed. 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
2007/2008 Tue 08 Apr Sheff. Utd. 2 - 2 Sheff. Wed. Championship  
  Sat 19 Jan Sheff. Wed. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
2005/2006 Sat 18 Feb Sheff. Wed. 1 - 2 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
  Sat 03 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Sheff. Wed. Championship  
2002/2003 Fri 17 Jan Sheff. Utd. 3 - 1 Sheff. Wed. League Division One  
  Sun 01 Sep Sheff. Wed. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. League Division One  
2001/2002 Tue 29 Jan Sheff. Utd. 0 - 0 Sheff. Wed. League Division One  
  Sun 07 Oct Sheff. Wed. 0 - 0 Sheff. Utd. League Division One  
2000/2001 Sun 01 Apr Sheff. Wed. 1 - 2 Sheff. Utd. League Division One  
  Sat 16 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. League Division One  
  Wed 01 Nov Sheff. Wed. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. League Cup  
1993/1994 Sat 22 Jan Sheff. Wed. 3 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Premiership  
  Sat 23 Oct Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. Premiership  
1992/1993 Wed 21 Apr Sheff. Wed. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Premier League  
  Sat 03 Apr Sheff. Wed. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. F.A. Cup  
after extra time, 90 minutes ?-?; played at Wembley
  Sun 08 Nov Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. Premier League  
1991/1992 Wed 11 Mar Sheff. Wed. 1 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sun 17 Nov Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1989/1990 Tue 21 Nov Sheff. Wed. 3 - 2 Sheff. Utd. (Full Members)  
after extra time, 90 minutes 2-2
1980/1981 Tue 12 Aug Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. League Cup  
Sheffield Wednesday won 3-1 on aggregate
  Sat 09 Aug Sheff. Wed. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. League Cup  
1979/1980 Sat 05 Apr Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. Third Division  
  Wed 26 Dec Sheff. Wed. 4 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Third Division  
1970/1971 Mon 12 Apr Sheff. Wed. 0 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
  Sat 03 Oct Sheff. Utd. 3 - 2 Sheff. Wed. Second Division  
1967/1968 Sat 06 Jan Sheff. Wed. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 02 Sep Sheff. Utd. 0 - 1 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1966/1967 Sat 04 Feb Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
  Sat 24 Sep Sheff. Wed. 2 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1965/1966 Sat 12 Mar Sheff. Wed. 2 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 18 Sep Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1964/1965 Sat 02 Jan Sheff. Utd. 2 - 3 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
  Sat 05 Sep Sheff. Wed. 0 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1963/1964 Sat 18 Jan Sheff. Wed. 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 14 Sep Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1962/1963 Wed 15 May Sheff. Wed. 3 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 06 Oct Sheff. Utd. 2 - 2 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1961/1962 Sat 03 Feb Sheff. Wed. 1 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 16 Sep Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1959/1960 Sat 12 Mar Sheff. Utd. 0 - 2 Sheff. Wed. F.A. Cup  
1958/1959 Sat 21 Feb Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Sheff. Wed. Second Division  
  Sat 04 Oct Sheff. Wed. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
1954/1955 Sat 05 Feb Sheff. Wed. 1 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 18 Sep Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1953/1954 Sat 23 Jan Sheff. Wed. 3 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Wed 13 Jan Sheff. Utd. 1 - 3 Sheff. Wed. F.A. Cup  
  Sat 09 Jan Sheff. Wed. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. F.A. Cup  
  Sat 12 Sep Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1951/1952 Sat 05 Jan Sheff. Wed. 1 - 3 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
  Sat 08 Sep Sheff. Utd. 7 - 3 Sheff. Wed. Second Division  
1949/1950 Sat 21 Jan Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Sheff. Wed. Second Division  
  Sat 17 Sep Sheff. Wed. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
1938/1939 Sat 04 Mar Sheff. Wed. 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
  Sat 29 Oct Sheff. Utd. 0 - 0 Sheff. Wed. Second Division  
1937/1938 Sat 26 Feb Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Sheff. Wed. Second Division  
  Sat 16 Oct Sheff. Wed. 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
1933/1934 Sat 03 Mar Sheff. Utd. 5 - 1 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
  Sat 21 Oct Sheff. Wed. 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1932/1933 Sat 04 Feb Sheff. Utd. 2 - 3 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
  Sat 24 Sep Sheff. Wed. 3 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1931/1932 Sat 02 Apr Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
  Sat 21 Nov Sheff. Wed. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1930/1931 Sat 03 Jan Sheff. Wed. 1 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 06 Sep Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1929/1930 Sat 01 Feb Sheff. Wed. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 28 Sep Sheff. Utd. 2 - 2 Sheff. Wed. First Division  
1928/1929 Sat 02 Feb Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 22 Sep The Wednesday 5 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1927/1928 Wed 22 Feb Sheff. Utd. 4 - 1 The Wednesday F.A. Cup  
  Sat 18 Feb The Wednesday 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. F.A. Cup  
  Sat 04 Feb The Wednesday 3 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 24 Sep Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
1926/1927 Sat 15 Jan Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 28 Aug The Wednesday 2 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1924/1925 Sat 31 Jan Sheff. Utd. 3 - 2 The Wednesday F.A. Cup  
1919/1920 Sat 04 Oct Sheff. Utd. 3 - 0 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 27 Sep The Wednesday 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1914/1915 Sat 02 Jan The Wednesday 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 05 Sep Sheff. Utd. 0 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
1913/1914 Sat 28 Feb The Wednesday 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 25 Oct Sheff. Utd. 0 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
1912/1913 Sat 01 Mar Sheff. Utd. 0 - 2 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 26 Oct The Wednesday 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1911/1912 Sat 09 Mar The Wednesday 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 04 Nov Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
1910/1911 Sat 25 Feb Sheff. Utd. 0 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 22 Oct The Wednesday 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1909/1910 Sat 19 Mar The Wednesday 1 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 06 Nov Sheff. Utd. 3 - 3 The Wednesday First Division  
1908/1909 Sat 26 Dec Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
  Fri 25 Dec The Wednesday 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1907/1908 Sat 07 Mar The Wednesday 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 09 Nov Sheff. Utd. 1 - 3 The Wednesday First Division  
1906/1907 Thu 04 Apr Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 03 Nov The Wednesday 2 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1905/1906 Wed 18 Apr The Wednesday 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 21 Oct Sheff. Utd. 0 - 2 The Wednesday First Division  
1904/1905 Sat 08 Apr Sheff. Utd. 4 - 2 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 10 Dec The Wednesday 1 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1903/1904 Sat 09 Apr The Wednesday 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 12 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
1902/1903 Sat 11 Oct The Wednesday 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Mon 01 Sep Sheff. Utd. 2 - 3 The Wednesday First Division  
1901/1902 Sat 01 Mar Sheff. Utd. 3 - 0 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 02 Nov The Wednesday 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1900/1901 Mon 29 Apr The Wednesday 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 15 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 The Wednesday First Division  
1899/1900 Mon 19 Feb The Wednesday 0 - 2 Sheff. Utd. F.A. Cup  
  Sat 17 Feb Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday F.A. Cup  
1898/1899 Mon 26 Dec Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
  Mon 03 Oct The Wednesday 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1897/1898 Mon 27 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 16 Oct The Wednesday 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1896/1897 Tue 02 Mar The Wednesday 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 26 Dec Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 The Wednesday First Division  
1895/1896 Thu 26 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 07 Sep The Wednesday 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1894/1895 Sat 12 Jan Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 The Wednesday First Division  
  Sat 27 Oct The Wednesday 2 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1893/1894 Mon 13 Nov The Wednesday 1 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Mon 16 Oct Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 The Wednesday First Division