10 Most Fearsome Rivalries In World Football
2. West Ham - Millwall / "East London Derby"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlMuVRvnYNkThough these two clubs are now separated by two divisions, the rivalry between West Ham United and Millwall is one of the most provocative in Britain.
Both clubs are synonymous with firm culture, with West Hams Inter City Firm and Millwalls Bushwackers being two of the most dangerous hooligan groups in the UK.
When the two sides last met in 2009 there was outrageous widespread violence and crowd disruption as the ill-feeling between the two clubs was vented out at The Upton Park riot. In the hours leading up to the cup fixture there were planned fights between supporters as one man was stabbed and taken hospital in a critical condition and twenty others were subsequently injured.
It is thought that the events that occurred on this day proved to be a massive set-back in Englands 2018 World Cup bid, which was of course handed to Russia after much controversy. This rivalry, which has even had blockbuster movies such as Green Street based on its epic violence, has evoked memories of the bad old days of British hooliganism, particularly when Ian Pratt, a Millwall fan, was killed following a clash with West Ham supporters.
The East London derby proves that the game is yet to break free from the yoke of brutality just yet.