3) West Ham vs Millwall
With the clubs being just 3 miles apart during the initial years, this is another rivalry and derby that found it’s intensity not only due to footballing reasons, but it specifically caught fire due to the labour developments near the River Thames in the East London of England.
They first played against each other in the of the 1889-1900 FA CUP. In 2010 Millwall moved south of the River Thames and the teams were no longer East London neighbors. Even so, the derbies retained their passion and both sets of supporters still consider the other club their main rival. Before the First World War the teams met 60 times in just 16 years, mostly in Southern and Western Football Leagues. The teams have usually competed in different divisions since, spending only 12 seasons in the same tier of the Football League. They have played a total of 39 times in league and cup competitions since 1916.
Violence has occurred sporadically between the fans, once resulting in the death of a Millwall supporter in 1976. Most recently in the 2009 Upton Park riot widespread disorder between supporters in and around West Ham’s Boleyn ground led to numerous injuries and a Millwall fan being stabbed before the match began.
In the last two games between the sides in the 2011-2012, the Metropolitan Police implemented London-wide operations to ensure the games are trouble-free. As of the 2015-2016 season, West Ham play in the Premier League and Millwall play in the Football League 1 tier, two tiers below.