Is Middlesbrough a derby game?


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I have a come on this board, quite a few times over the years, (more so when we are in the same division) and I must have at least seen 10 threads like this on Boro? They go on for page after page, 10000 views, Sunderland lads going into great detail sometimes why it isn’t a derby! Why is it so important for your lot to distinguish this? And why is it so important in general? Enjoy the game, it’s a football match with quite a lot history between the clubs and supporters over the years on and off the pitch...yes it doesn’t have the feeling between lads like it did in the 70s and 80s, but it’s still a game we should all look forward too without thinking why?
I think if you read the general consensus on the board is that we love beating you so you will see us talk about you. It means a bit more to us than the normal game however we don’t care enough to call it a derby. Hope that explains it for you.
 
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I think if you read the general consensus on the board is that we love beating you so you will see us talk about you. It means a bit more to us than the normal game however we don’t care enough to call it a derby. Hope that explains it for you.
That’s absolutely fine, it’s just always a bit long winded to get that point across.
 
I have a come on this board, quite a few times over the years, (more so when we are in the same division) and I must have at least seen 10 threads like this on Boro? They go on for page after page, 10000 views, Sunderland lads going into great detail sometimes why it isn’t a derby! Why is it so important for your lot to distinguish this? And why is it so important in general? Enjoy the game, it’s a football match with quite a lot history between the clubs and supporters over the years on and off the pitch...yes it doesn’t have the feeling between lads like it did in the 70s and 80s, but it’s still a game we should all look forward too without thinking why?

Personally I don’t mind & quite like seeing boro do well.

Working class, northern town, would much rather see the likes of boro in the top flight then say a Brighton.

I could be way off, but there certainly seems to be animosity on your side towards us. I know both sides will have our daft lads who like the aggro.

But most Sunlun supporters I know, regulars I attend with, really don’t see this game as a derby.
 
Suppose it depends where you come from. If you support Sunderland and are from the south of County Durham where it borders with Cleveland you’re far more likely to mix with Boro fans and as such might attach greater importance to the game.

I genuinely didn’t know one Boro fan growing up - you were either red and white or black and white - so it’s never really felt like a derby.
 
Definitely more on our side, we don’t really have a full on rivalry with anyone, but Sunderland, Newcastle and Leeds we seen as big games for us over the years...
 
We never get anywhere near our biggest attendance of the season against the Boro, and it's the best evidence that most of our fans are simply not fussed by it.

Last 10 times we've met in the league;

2017/18 - 6th highest crowd of the season. (Championship)
2016/17 - 4th
2008/09 - 12th
2007/08 - 7th
2005/06 - 13th
2002/03 - 5th
2001/02 - 18th
2000/01 - 6th
1999/00 - 4th
1997/98 - 12th (Championship)
 
We never get anywhere near our biggest attendance of the season against the Boro, and it's the best evidence that most of our fans are simply not fussed by it.

Last 10 times we've met in the league;

2017/18 - 6th highest crowd of the season. (Championship)
2016/17 - 4th
2008/09 - 12th
2007/08 - 7th
2005/06 - 13th
2002/03 - 5th
2001/02 - 18th
2000/01 - 6th
1999/00 - 4th
1997/98 - 12th (Championship)
I think the last few times Boro have played Sunderland at home, it’s never been near their biggest attendance neither, although this time it will close to being a sell out.
 
We have supporters everywhere , for those who live in Sunderland it probably isn't but there's plenty live/work around smoggies so it has an extra bite for them.
 
Being a Boro fan it is seen as a derby, in my case the order is Sunderland Leeds and a very distant third Newcastle. the only reason for this is the fact both Darlington and Hartlepool are so bloody useless you cannot form a rivalry with. If they had been say one double the size town with a decent team I'm sure Sunderland would be thought of in much the same way you think of us.
 
It isn’t a derby but it is bigger than the average league game with them being local. Losing to the mags is unbearable and it sticks. When you lose to Middlesbrough you forget about it like you do any other normal game.
When do we lose against the Mags? -you have a long long memory ! 😀
 

Just seen this discussion.

For me the answer's no.

It's a nice bit of regional pride to beat them, but otherwise I don't find I have a reason to despise them like the mags or feel strong emotions.

I also seen a thought provoking reply to that noting that we don't hold grudges against our former players who go there either (Arca, Leadbitter) whereas that's not the case with those up the road.
100pc YES, not as big as mags, but yes
 
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