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.

He never uttered the words either – and why should he?

Although, he was aware of the rivalry that existed before his 2017 arrival.

That’s fair enough – they were important games which attracted good crowds, And, no doubt, another big gate would have been guaranteed if fans were not continually being locked out of matches.

But why should a series of games between two sides at a certain point in their history constitute a title that will be carried on for every more?

The Blues have had a few run-ins with Sunderland in recent seasons.

The Black Cats also have a dockyard with established links to the navy. Should that fixture now be classified as a ‘Dockyard Derby’?

There were a few key battles with Spurs at the start of the decade, too.

If Pompey draw Tottenham in the FA Cup this year, will there be an artificially-created tag stuck on it, too?

How does the Harry Redknapp Derby sound?

Not everything has to have a label. Including Plymouth v Pompey.

Tonight’s game is important in its own right, with two points separating both teams and a place amongst the early promotion pack available.

That in itself should be enough to sell the game, which will be shown on Sky Sports, to both sets of supporters and even the neutral.

There’s no need to bill the fixture as something else just to add a bit of razzmatazz or false oomph.

Shared naval and maritime histories might link the two cities.

But a Dockyard derby it ain’t.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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