The Dockyard Derby: What's next - The Harry Redknapp Derby? Does Portsmouth v Sunderland need a label too?

Never has been, never will be. Nor should it be referred to as the ‘Dockyard Derby’.

Yes, there’s been a few battles between the two teams down the years – including 15 since Michael Appleton was forced to field a youth team in the 2012-13 Capital One Cup.

There’s also been a few skirmishes between the two sets of supporters back in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

And, of course, we are all aware if the rivalry which often boiled over when Messers Cook and Adams were in charge of both their respective clubs – particularly around the time of that 2015-16 League Two play-off semi-final.

SEE ALSO: 'Nastiness', headbutts, heartbreak and Derek Adams.

Yet nothing to warrant the labelling of a fixture that is as inconsequential as a trip to Scunthorpe or Northampton for the majority of the Fratton Faithful.

Back in September 2018, we asked readers of The News what they thought of the term ‘Dockyard Derby’ – the unfortunate tag which often accompanies any mention of this fixture simply because of the naval and maritime histories both cities have in common.

Sixty-three per cent of those who got in touch said they didn’t recognise the description – proving what fans this side of the 172-miles that separate the two clubs thought.

However, that goes against a similar poll carried out by the Plymouth Herald in February 2019 – just before the last meeting between the Pilgrims and the Blues.

Of those Plymouth fans who took part, 54 per cent believed the terminology used was accurate, while 18 per cent thought ‘the Battle of the Ports’ represented a fairer description. Twenty-eight per cent thought neither warranted a mentioned.

That suggests that the term ‘Dockyard Derby’ is a contrived narration of a fixture that suits an agenda for those associated with Home Park – not Fratton Park.

A point emphasised when Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe incorrectly referred to tonight’s game as the ‘Dockside Derby’ in one of his pre-match interviews.

Someone had clearly been in his ear beforehand. How else would the Liverpudlian have known about the term?

The description was not mentioned once in The News’ interview with Pompey boss Kenny Jackett ahead of tonight's game.