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Crewe v Stoke: Your view

Last updated : 23 March 2004 By Simon Turner
The Doorman
"With us being fifteen miles or so away from Stoke, I would say yes, it is a derby match. Port Vale also, with them being slightly closer to the Cheshire border. But you can say that they are from the Midlands and we are from the North West.

As for the others: Stockport are only from from Cheshire when they want to feel posh; Chester (who should be back in the Football League next season) and Tranmere (before the county boundaries were changed) were genuine derbies.

Wrexham were the main rivalry from a few years ago when we were in the same league, but in my opinion, it isn't a derby match due to them being from a different country. You see national pride comes in on that one, more a case of England V Wales."

Eddie Wilde





"I for one consider the game as a derby as they are one of our closest rivals, and as I live in Staffordshire most of my mates support City. For this reason, it's one of the first fixtures that is looked for at the beginning of the season."

Mike Banks



"Well it’s the closest thing we have to a derby at the moment, but I’m sure Stoke City do not see it quite that way, we're just a distraction while they’re not in the same division as the Vale."

Rachel Gill



"It is a derby in the sense that they are our nearest neighbours in Division One. There are also arguments on some message boards, proving that there is some animosity on both sides. However, this is more prevalent amongst the younger fans. I get the feeling that older Stoke fans like to see Crewe do well, and vice versa, though this is not always the case."

'Steve'



"The only reason it’s a derby is Stokes geographical location to us in this division. It is the same as Middlesbrough being a derby game for Newcastle, but if you were to ask most Geordies who their local rivals are, they would say Sunderland.

"I’m afraid I’m one of the old school, for me the hatred of Chester is never ending! I’m old enough to remember the words to “I got an old stocking and filled it with lead”, an amusing little song about beating up Chester fans. Bit old for that now!"

Paul Potts



“From an outsider’s point of view (Sheffield United), I would consider this match a derby in respect of the geographical locations of the two sides. But to say it’s a big rivalry depends on the fans themselves. Stoke are probably Crewe’s closest city team, but maybe Wrexham have something to say about that.”

Shane Bramhall