Tees–Wear derby

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Tees–Wear derby

Other names	Wear-Tees derby, North East derby or A19 derby
Location	North East
Teams	Middlesbrough Sunderland
First meeting	Middlesbrough 2–2 Sunderland (26 November 1887) 1887–88 FA Cup
Latest meeting	Middlesbrough 1-1 Sunderland (04 February 2024) 2023–24 EFL Championship
Next meeting	TBA 2024-25 EFL Championship
Stadiums	Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough) Stadium of Light (Sunderland)
Statistics
Meetings total	151
Most wins	Sunderland (62)
All-time record	Sunderland: 62 Draw: 37 Middlesbrough: 52
Middlesbrough Sunderland

The Tees–Wear derby is a football local derby contested between Middlesbrough F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. who are separated by 2 rivers and 23 miles (direct),^[1] in the North East of England. It is the oldest football league derby in the North East.

Broadly, Sunderland fans based in the City of Sunderland and further north towards Tyneside focus most of their attention on Newcastle United. Middlesbrough is not considered a major rival in these areas primarily due to the increased distance from Teesside, and the lack of regular interaction with Teessiders. The rivalry of the Tees-Wear derby, however, is much more intense and evenly balanced in southern County Durham, where fans of both clubs live and work close together and interact regularly. There is also an increased feeling of rivalry between fans of older generations who experienced greater crowd troubles between the two clubs during the 1970s and 1980s when British football hooliganism was at its highest levels.

History[edit]

The intensity of the rivalry grew again during the 1990s when the two teams battled at the top of Division 1, and to stay in the Premier League, again resulting in clashes between sets of rival fans. Generally, football related violence between the two sets of fans has reduced since Middlesbrough left Ayresome Park and Sunderland left Roker Park. This is in part due to the easier policing of matches at the new stadiums. However, heightened police presence is still required when the teams meet, as the fixture can lead to violent incidents between fans.^[2] Sunderland regularly reduce Middlesbrough's away allocations due to safety concerns and previous bad behaviour.^[3]

Although Sunderland won trophies in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it is Middlesbrough who have been more successful in recent times, reaching five major cup finals from 1997 to 2006, including the 2006 UEFA Cup Final and lifting the 2004 League Cup.

In the 2008–09 Premier League season, the results were:

• Sunderland 2–0 Middlesbrough
• Middlesbrough 1–1 Sunderland

In 2011–12 the teams played in the FA Cup:

• Sunderland 1–1 Middlesbrough 28 January 2012
• Replay – Middlesbrough 1–2 Sunderland (AET) 8 February 2012.

In 2012–13 the teams played in the Football League Cup

• Sunderland 0–1 Middlesbrough 30 October 2012^[4]

In the 2016–17 Premier League season, the results were:

• Sunderland 1–2 Middlesbrough
• Middlesbrough 1–0 Sunderland

In the 2017–18 EFL Championship season, the results were:

• Middlesbrough 1–0 Sunderland
• Sunderland 3–3 Middlesbrough

In 2017–18 the teams played in the FA Cup

• Middlesbrough 2–0 Sunderland 6 January 2018^[5]

In the 2022–23 EFL Championship season, the results were:

• Middlesbrough 1–0 Sunderland
• Sunderland 2–0 Middlesbrough

In the 2023–24 EFL Championship season, the results were:

• Sunderland 0–4 Middlesbrough

Notable representatives to cross the divide[edit]

Middlesbrough was founded in 1876, with Sunderland founded just 3 years later in 1879. Since then, there have been a number of occasions where notable individuals for both clubs have crossed the dividing line.

In 1905, Alf Common became the first footballer in history to be transferred for a fee of £1,000 on his transfer from Sunderland to Middlesbrough.^[6]

Following an irreparable fallout with the majority of his teammates, in July 1961, Brian Clough issued a transfer request that was accepted by Middlesbrough, and he moved to Sunderland for £55,000. After having scored 197 goals in 213 appearances for Middlesbrough, Clough went on to score a total of 54 goals in 61 matches for Sunderland before a his career was ended prematurely by a knee injury.

After a short stint at Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough academy graduate, one time youngest-ever captain and 69 appearance maker Lee Cattermole, moved to Sunderland. He went on to captain Sunderland, amassing 233 appearances for the club.

Sunderland academy graduate midfielder Grant Leadbitter captained both clubs either side of a period at Ipswich Town. He played in a total of 180 games for Sunderland across two periods either side of a 7 year stint at Middlesbrough where he made 212 appearances. Leadbitter played a significant role in Sunderland's promotion winning season of 2006-07 and Middlesbrough's promotion winning season of 2015-16.

Former Middlesbrough captain and manager Tony Mowbray controversially accepted the Sunderland head coach job in August 2022. As a promising young local academy graduate at Middlesbrough, Mowbray remained loyal to the club through the liquidation in 1986, leading the club on the pitch to back to back promotions from the old English Third Division up to the top league of English football. Mowbray led Sunderland to an unlikely 6th place finish in the 2022-23 Championship, ultimately losing the subsequent two legged Playoff semi final to eventual winners Luton Town.

Summary of all time results[edit]

As of 3 February 2024

Major Honours[edit]

Table correct as of 5 September 2022

Sunderland

• First Division (level 1)
  • Champions: 1891–92, 1892–93, 1894–95, 1901–02, 1912–13, 1935–36
• FA Cup
  • Winners: 1936–37, 1972–73

Middlesbrough

• League Cup
  • Winners: 2003–04

See also[edit]

• Tyne–Tees derby
• Tyne–Wear derby

References[edit]

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