Nene derby

Last updated

Nene derby
Location East of England
East Midlands
Teams Northampton Town
Peterborough United
First meetingPeterborough 2–3 Northampton
(29 September 1936)
1936–37 Maunsell Cup
Latest meetingPeterborough 0–4 Northampton
(5 April 2025)
2024–25 EFL League One
Next meetingPeterborough v Northampton
(13 December 2025)
2025–26 EFL League One
Stadiums Sixfields Stadium (Northampton Town)
London Road (Peterborough United)
Statistics
Meetings totalTotal: 106
Official: 80
Most winsTotal: Peterborough (48)
Official: Peterborough (37)
Most player appearancesOfficial:
Tommy Robson (18)
Overall:
Tommy Robson (22)
Top scorerOfficial:
Jim Hall (8)
Overall:
Jim Hall (9)
All-time recordTotal:
Peterborough: 48
Draw: 25
Northampton: 33
Official:
Peterborough: 37
Draw: 19
Northampton: 24
East Midlands districts 2011 map.svg
Red pog.svg
Northampton Town
Blue pog.svg
Peterborough United

The Nene derby is the name of the association football local rivalry in England between Northampton Town and Peterborough United, both of which are based along the River Nene. Fans of both clubs consider the other to be one of their main rivals. In a 2019 study the Nene derby was revealed to be a reciprocated rivalry, with the largest percentage of fans of each club considering the other as their rivals. [1]

Contents

The first competitive match between the two clubs took place in 1946 but the first professional derby took place in 1960. As of 17 December 2024, there have been 80 competitive matches between the two teams, with 37 wins for Peterborough, 24 wins for Northampton and 19 draws. [2]

The derby has never been played higher than the third tier of English football with 58 league matches, 7 FA Cup matches, 5 League Cup matches and 6 EFL Trophy matches. The most recent game took place in League One and resulted in a 4-0 win for Northampton at London Road .

In total, the derby has been played 105 times, including minor/regional league and cup games, with 15 Maunsell Cup matches (5 times in the final), 11 Northants Senior Cup matches (5 times in the final) and 1 London Midweek League match. They have also played 6 friendlies.

Northampton play their home games at Sixfields Stadium, while Peterborough play at London Road Stadium. The two stadiums are approximately 37 miles (60 km) apart.

History

Early matches

The first match between two clubs took place in the final of 1936–37 Maunsell Cup at London Road and ended in a 3–2 away victory for Northampton Town. The first official competitive game took place in the second round of 1946–47 FA Cup at London Road and ended in a 1–1 draw, forcing a replay at Northampton Town's County Ground which also ended in another 1-1 draw. The second replay was played on a neutral venue at Highfield Road, Coventry, where Northampton won 8–1 and this victory still stands as the largest victory and the highest scoring match in the history of the derby.

Peterborough United won the Midland Football League five times in a row between 1956 and 1960 before being accepted into the Football League ahead of the 1960–61 season. First ever derby was played in the league for the first time in that season, with the first game ending in a 3–3 draw and the return fixture ending in a 0–3 win for Peterborough. Both teams were promoted to the Third Division as Peterborough won the league and Northampton finished third. Both teams played in the Third Division for the next two seasons before Northampton were promoted as champions in 1962–63 season.

The two teams did not play each other in the league again until the 1967–68 Third Division after Northampton's run in the second and first tier.

1980s

Peterborough were relegated into the Fourth Division ahead of the 1979–80 season. Both teams played in the Fourth Division for eight consecutive seasons until Northampton were promoted as champions in the 1986–87 season. The derby was also played twice in the FA Cup and twice in the League Cup during this period, bringing the total to twenty matches in eight years. The biggest victory over this period was a 6–0 home victory for Peterborough on 24 April 1984. Northampton recorded a 0–5 away victory on 12 October 1985.

Recent years

In the 2019–20 season, Peterborough finished seventh in League One whilst Northampton won the League Two play-offs, meaning that the Nene derby returned for the 2020-21 League One season. Following Northampton's promotion, Peterborough United chairman, Darragh MacAnthony congratulated them and referred to the derby as "The one real 'local' rivalry I've experienced in 15 years at Posh." [3] The first derby of the season was played two days after the death of Tommy Robson, Peterborough's record appearance maker who started his career with Northampton, and was played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. Peterborough won the match 0–2 with goals scored by Nathan Thompson and Reece Brown. [4] The second league derby of the season was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday 17 April 2021, however, all English football matches on that day were rescheduled as a mark of respect for the funeral of Prince Philip. [5] [6]

Rivalry

While the proximity of the clubs was the main root of the rivalry between Northampton Town and Peterborough United, other events have fueled the division. Most notable among these are the violent confrontations between fans, famously the "Battle of Abington Park" in April 1974 when approximately 500 fans clashed before, during and after a derby. An eyewitness was quoted as saying "It was like a battle scene from a film where everyone converged to carry out personal duels. I have never seen anything like it." Some of the evidence presented in the court case that followed included "Sticks with nails embedded in the end, part of a brick, broken bottles, a large beer can and a pint mug." [7]

Aside from fan violence, animosity has arisen over transfers between the clubs with Northampton fans accusing Peterborough of poaching players. It has been said that "Northampton fans have never forgiven Peterborough for taking star strikers Tony Adcock and Bobby Barnes when the Cobblers were cash strapped." [8] This, however, has not stopped players from crossing the divide. Gabriel Zakuani, for example, signed for Northampton in 2016 after making 252 appearances for Peterborough. [9]

List of derbies

League

No. [10] SeasonDateCompetitionStadiumHome TeamResultAway TeamAtt.H2H
1 1960–61 8 October 1960 Division 4 London Road Peterborough3–3Northampton22,9590
225 February 1961 County Ground Northampton0–3Peterborough19,516+1
3 1961–62 28 October 1961 Division 3 County GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough17,324+1
417 March 1962London RoadPeterborough0–2Northampton17,0090
5 1962–63 1 September 1962Division 3County GroundNorthampton2–3Peterborough16,064+1
611 May 1963London RoadPeterborough0–4Northampton17,5180
7 1967–68 23 April 1968Division 3County GroundNorthampton3–1Peterborough8,934+1
84 May 1968London RoadPeterborough4–0Northampton6,6580
9 1969–70 17 September 1969 Division 4 London RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton8,557+1
1014 April 1970County GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough6,732+1
11 1970–71 10 November 1970Division 4County GroundNorthampton2–0Peterborough8,1900
1220 February 1971London RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton8,068+1
13 1971–72 5 February 1972Division 4County GroundNorthampton1–1Peterborough5,186+1
148 April 1972London RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton5,480+2
15 1972–73 28 August 1972Division 4London RoadPeterborough2–3Northampton3,627+1
1628 April 1973County GroundNorthampton1–3Peterborough2,441+2
17 1973–74 17 November 1973Division 4London RoadPeterborough3–0Northampton10,351+3
1812 April 1974County GroundNorthampton0–1Peterborough11,378+4
19 1976–77 2 November 1976 Division 3 County GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough7,483+4
2012 April 1977London RoadPeterborough3–1Northampton8,944+5
21 1979–80 22 September 1979 Division 4 County GroundNorthampton1–0Peterborough3,678+4
229 February 1980London RoadPeterborough0–0Northampton4,960+4
23 1980–81 26 December 1980Division 4London RoadPeterborough3–0Northampton6,265+5
2421 April 1981County GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough3,800+5
25 1981–82 28 November 1981Division 4London RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton5,293+6
2624 April 1982County GroundNorthampton1–0Peterborough4,975+5
27 1982–83 30 October 1982Division 4County GroundNorthampton0–0Peterborough3,284+5
2812 March 1983London RoadPeterborough2–0Northampton3,778+6
29 1983–84 27 December 1983Division 4County GroundNorthampton2–1Peterborough6,464+5
3024 April 1984London RoadPeterborough6–0Northampton3,481+6
31 1984–85 26 December 1984Division 4County GroundNorthampton0–3Peterborough4,350+7
322 April 1985London RoadPeterborough0–0Northampton2,482+7
33 1985–86 12 October 1985Division 4London RoadPeterborough0–5Northampton3,866+6
3415 March 1986County GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough3,332+6
35 1986–87 14 September 1986Division 4County GroundNorthampton2–1Peterborough5,517+5
3631 January 1987London RoadPeterborough0–1Northampton7,911+4
37 1990–91 22 September 1990Division 4County GroundNorthampton1–2Peterborough5,572+5
385 February 1991London RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton5,932+6
39 1999–2000 14 August 1999 Division 3 Sixfields Stadium Northampton0–1Peterborough6,253+7
4015 January 2000London RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton9,104+8
41 2000–01 23 December 2000 Division 2 London RoadPeterborough1–2Northampton9,868+7
4227 January 2001Sixfields StadiumNorthampton0–0Peterborough7,079+7
43 2001–02 7 October 2001Division 2London RoadPeterborough2–0Northampton8,101+8
4419 February 2002Sixfields StadiumNorthampton2–1Peterborough6,064+7
45 2002–03 28 December 2002Division 2London RoadPeterborough0–0Northampton7,767+7
4625 January 2003Sixfields StadiumNorthampton0–1Peterborough5,906+8
47 2005–06 21 December 2005 League Two Sixfields StadiumNorthampton0–1Peterborough7,023+9
481 April 2006London RoadPeterborough0–1Northampton8,637+8
49 2008–09 13 September 2008 League One Sixfields StadiumNorthampton1–1Peterborough6,520+8
5014 March 2009London RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton8,881+9
51 2016–17 18 October 2016League OneLondon RoadPeterborough3–0Northampton9,172+10
5219 November 2016Sixfields StadiumNorthampton0–1Peterborough7,675+11
53 2017–18 26 August 2017League OneSixfields StadiumNorthampton1–4Peterborough6,685+12
542 April 2018London RoadPeterborough2–0Northampton8,619+13
55 2020–21 10 October 2020League OneSixfields StadiumNorthampton0–2Peterborough0 [a] +14
5616 April 2021London RoadPeterborough3–1Northampton0 [b] +15
57 2023–24 19 August 2023League OneSixfields StadiumNorthampton1–0Peterborough7,684+14
585 March 2024London RoadPeterborough5–1Northampton9,028+15
59 2024–25 9 December 2024League OneSixfields StadiumNorthampton2–1Peterborough7,098+14
605 April 2025London RoadPeterborough0–4Northampton9,782+13
  1. Played behind closed doors COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. Played behind closed doors COVID-19 pandemic.

Cup

No. [10] SeasonDateCompetitionRoundStadiumHome TeamResultAway TeamAtt.H2H
1 1946–47 14 December 1946 FA Cup Second round London Road Peterborough1–1Northampton7,7930
219 December 1946Second round replay County Ground Northampton1–1Peterborough6,8000
323 December 1946Second round 2nd replay Highfield Road Peterborough1–8Northampton3,618+1
4 1966–67 14 September 1966 League Cup Second roundCounty GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough5,778+1
526 September 1966Second round replayLondon RoadPeterborough0–2Northampton9,484+2
6 1967–68 23 August 1967League CupFirst roundLondon RoadPeterborough2–3Northampton8,157+3
7 1972–73 18 November 1972 FA Cup First roundLondon RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton7,815+2
8 1980–81 22 November 1980FA CupFirst roundCounty GroundNorthampton1–4Peterborough5,542+1
9 1982–83 21 August 1982 EFL Trophy Group stageLondon RoadPeterborough5–2Northampton2,1970
10 1985–86 21 August 1985 League Cup First round 1st legLondon RoadPeterborough0–0Northampton3,1170
113 September 1985First round 2nd legCounty GroundNorthampton2–0Peterborough2,464+1
12 1986–87 16 November 1986 FA Cup First roundCounty GroundNorthampton3–0Peterborough9,114+2
13 1988–89 21 December 1988 EFL Trophy Group stageLondon RoadPeterborough0–2Northampton1,754+3
14 1994–95 12 November 1994 FA Cup First roundLondon RoadPeterborough4–0Northampton8,739+2
15 1995–96 16 October 1995 EFL Trophy Group stageLondon RoadPeterborough0–0Northampton3,045+2
16 1997–98 27 January 1998EFL TrophyQuarter-finalsLondon RoadPeterborough2–1Northampton5,516+1
17 2003–04 9 December 2003EFL TrophyQuarter-finals Sixfields Stadium Northampton2–1 [a] Peterborough4,290+2
18 2017–18 3 November 2017EFL TrophyGroup stageLondon RoadPeterborough1–1Northampton2,745+2
19 2019–20 3 September 2019EFL TrophyGroup stageSixfields StadiumNorthampton0–2Peterborough2,234+1
20 2024–25 17 December 2024EFL TrophyRound of 32London RoadPeterborough3–0Northampton2,5490
  1. Match went to extra-time.

Minor/Regional tournaments

No. [10] SeasonDateCompetitionRoundStadiumHome TeamResultAway TeamAtt.
1 1936–37 29 April 1937Maunsell CupFinal London Road Peterborough2–3Northampton2,996
2 1937–38 28 April 1938Maunsell CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough0–4Northampton2,394
3 1938–39 17 April 1939Maunsell CupSemi-finals County Ground Northampton3–1Peterborough393
4 1947–48 12 April 1948Maunsell CupSemi-finalLondon RoadPeterborough5–1Northampton7,606
5 1948–49 4 April 1948Maunsell CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough0–0Northampton
621 April 1949Final replayCounty GroundNorthampton2–1Peterborough1,504
7 1949–50 17 April 1950Maunsell CupCounty GroundNorthampton0–0Peterborough3,000
8 1952–53 1 May 1953Maunsell CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough1–2Northampton8,753
9 1953–54 29 April 1954Maunsell CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough2–1Northampton9,776
10 1954–55 21 April 1955Maunsell CupLondon RoadPeterborough1–0Northampton8,784
11 1956–57 15 April 1957Maunsell CupSemi-finalsLondon RoadPeterborough3–1Northampton7,975
12 1959–60 1 October 1959Maunsell CupCounty GroundNorthampton1–0Peterborough1,686
13 1960–61 1 May 1960Northants Senior CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough4–1Northampton10,470
14 1961–62 9 April 1962Northants Senior CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough3–1Northampton4,991
15 1962–63 29 April 1963Northants Senior CupSemi-finalCounty GroundNorthampton2–0Peterborough
16 1963–64 27 April 1964Northants Senior CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough0–0Northampton
17 1964–65 31 March 1965Northants Senior CupSemi-finalsCounty GroundNorthampton0–2Peterborough3,370
18 1965–66 23 May 1965Northants Senior CupLondon RoadPeterborough0–1Northampton
19 1967–68 29 April 1968Northants Senior CupFinalCounty GroundNorthampton0–2Peterborough
20 1970–71 25 August 1980Northants Senior CupCounty GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough
21 1973–74 26 February 1974Northants Senior CupSemi-finalsCounty GroundNorthampton2–2Peterborough
2211 March 1974Semi-finals replayLondon RoadPeterborough2–0Northampton7,683
23 1974–75 3 February 1975Northants Senior CupFinalCounty GroundNorthampton1–0Peterborough
24 1977–78 17 October 1977Maunsell CupFinalLondon RoadPeterborough3–1Northampton995
25 1978–79 30 October 1978Maunsell CupLondon RoadPeterborough4–1Northampton
26 1979–80 14 November 1979Maunsell CupLondon RoadPeterborough1–1Northampton

Statistics

As of 5 April 2025. [10]
CompetitionPlayedNorthampton winsDrawsPeterborough winsNorthampton goalsPeterborough goals
Major Competitions
League601713306090
FA Cup 72231412
League Cup 532094
EFL Trophy 8224814
Total8024193791120
Minor/Regional Competitions
Maunsell Cup156362124
Northants Cup113351017
Total2696113141
Overall Total106332548122161

Top goal-scorers

Official major competitions
As of 5 March 2024. Only goals scored in official major competitions.
RankPlayerClub(s)YearsLeagueFA CupLeague
Cup
EFL
Trophy
Overall
1 Flag of England.svg Jim Hall Northampton/Peterborough1963–1967 (N)
1967–1975 (P)
1965–1978 (N)
71008
2 Flag of Scotland.svg Peter McNamee Peterborough1955–196550005
Flag of England.svg Tommy Robson Northampton/Peterborough1961–1966 (N)
1969–1981 (P)
3200
Flag of England.svg Ian Benjamin Peterborough/Northampton1982–1984 (P)
1984–1987 (N)
2102
Flag of Scotland.svg Archie Garrett Northampton1946–19470500
6 Flag of England.svg Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg Errington Kelly Peterborough1984–1986
1987–1988
40004
Flag of England.svg John Cozens Peterborough1973–19784000
Flag of England.svg John Fairbrother Peterborough/Northampton1965–1968 (P)
1968–1971 (N)
3010
Flag of England.svg Phil Chard Peterborough/Northampton1978–1985 (P)
1985–1988 (N)
1989–1994 (N)
2011

Most appearances

As of 5 April 2025.
Official Apps.
RankPlayerClubApps
1 Flag of England.svg Tommy Robson Northampton
Peterborough
18
2 Flag of England.svg Phil Chard Peterborough
Northampton
15
3 Flag of England.svg Jim Hall Northampton
Peterborough
14
Flag of England.svg Wakeley Gage Northampton
Peterborough
5 Flag of England.svg Ian Benjamin Peterborough
Northampton
13
Flag of England.svg Peter Gleasure Northampton
7 Flag of England.svg Graham FeltonNorthampton12
Flag of England.svg Trevor Quow Peterborough
Northampton
Flag of England.svg Trevor Slack Peterborough
Northampton
10 Flag of England.svg Jack Carmichael Peterborough11
Flag of England.svg Sam Hoskins Northampton
Including Minor & Regional Apps.
RankPlayerClubApps
1 Flag of England.svg Tommy Robson Northampton
Peterborough
22
2 Flag of England.svg Phil Chard Peterborough
Northampton
15
Flag of England.svg Jim Hall Northampton
Peterborough
4 Flag of England.svg Wakeley Gage Northampton
Peterborough
14
5 Flag of England.svg Ian Benjamin Peterborough
Northampton
13
Flag of England.svg Peter Gleasure Northampton
7 Flag of England.svg Graham FeltonNorthampton12
Flag of England.svg Trevor Quow Peterborough
Northampton
Flag of England.svg Trevor Slack Peterborough
Northampton
10 Flag of England.svg Jack Carmichael Peterborough11
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Barry Tucker Northampton
Flag of England.svg Sam Hoskins Northampton

Hat-tricks

PlayerForScoreDateCompetitionStadiumRef.
Flag of Scotland.svg Archie Garrett 4Northampton1–8 (N)23 December 1946 1946–47 FA Cup Highfield Road [11]
Flag of England.svg Colin Garwood Peterborough4–0 (H)4 May 1968 1967–68 Third Division London Road [12]

Notes

Records

Results

Biggest wins (5+ goals)

Winning marginResultDateCompetition
7Peterborough 1–8 Northampton23 December 1946 1946–47 FA Cup
6Peterborough 6–0 Northampton24 April 1983 1983–84 Fourth Division
5Peterborough 0–5 Northampton12 October 1985 1985–86 Fourth Division

Most total goals in a match

GoalsResultDateCompetition
9Peterborough 1–8 Northampton23 December 1946 1946–47 FA Cup
7Peterborough 5–2 Northampton21 August 1982 1982–83 EFL Trophy
6Peterborough 4–2 Northampton12 January 19391938–39 London Midweek League
Peterborough 5–1 Northampton12 April 19481947–48 Maunsell Cup
Peterborough 3–3 Northampton8 August 1960 1960–61 Fourth Division
Peterborough 6–0 Northampton24 April 1984 1983–84 Fourth Division
Peterborough 5–1 Northampton5 March 2024 2023–24 League One

Longest runs

Most consecutive wins
GamesClubPeriod
4Northampton14 September 1986 – 21 December 1988
Peterborough14 March 2009 – 26 August 2017
Peterborough2 April 2018 – 16 April 2021
Most consecutive draws
GamesPeriod
214 December 1946 – 19 December 1946
14 April 1970 – 25 August 1970
14 November 1979 – 9 February 1980
2 April 1985 – 21 August 1985
Most consecutive matches without a draw
GamesPeriod
721 April 1949 – 1 October 1959
14 September 1986 – 12 November 1994
Longest undefeated runs
GamesClubPeriod
9Peterborough14 March 2009 – 16 April 2021
7Northampton3 September 1985 – 21 December 1988
Peterborough22 September 1990 – 15 January 2000
Most consecutive matches without conceding a goal
GamesClubPeriod
4Peterborough24 April 1984 – 21 August 1985
Most consecutive games scoring
GamesClubPeriod
10Peterborough20 February 1971 – 12 April 1974
Peterborough13 September 2008 – 16 April 2021
8Northampton3 September 1985 – 22 September 1990

References

  1. "The top five rivals of English football's top 92 clubs revealed" . Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  2. "Peterborough United football club: record v Northampton Town". www.11v11.com. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  3. "Peterborough United congratulate Cobblers on promotion (and not just because Posh usually beat them)!". www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  4. "Northampton 0-2 Peterborough: Posh see off Cobblers". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  5. "Local Derby Clash With Cobblers Moved". www.theposh.com. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  6. "PETERBOROUGH GAME TO TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY EVENING". www.ntfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  7. Nicholls, Andy; Lowles, Nick (12 June 2007). Hooligans 2: The M-Z of Britain's Football Hooligan Gangs. Milo Books Ltd.
  8. "Gripped by the Cobblers: MK match is no local derby – you need history for a derby". The NeneQuirer. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  9. "Gabriel Zakuani: Northampton Town close to signing ex-Peterborough defender". BBC Sport. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Results". The Posh Trust. The Posh Supporters Trust. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  11. "Peterborough United 1–8 Northampton Town". The Posh Trust. The Posh Supporters Trust. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  12. "Peterborough United 4–0 Northampton Town". The Posh Trust. The Posh Supporters Trust. Retrieved 25 July 2024.