Clash of the titans

Tomorrow night sees two of football’s biggest rivals come head to head in a massive derby. I am not talking about the battle of Merseyside; nor am I referring to the Manchester Derby. Arsenal and Spurs have played each other about 100 times already this season, so it’s not them either. No, the match I speak of is the battle of the West Country - Yeovil Town v Bath City.

For many years, City and Yeovil would fight it in the football conference, with the chant “Going down to Yeovil to do the bastards over” an all too familiar chant on the Twerton Park terraces.

Things have changed a little since those days, however, Yeovil now find themselves in the football league, playing the likes of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, while City are still in non-league. The sides will meet tomorrow in the Somerset Cup at Yeovil’s ground, Huish Park.

Many don’t rate the Somerset Cup and see it as an annoyance, getting in the way of league fixtures. Tomorrow night’s game, however, is a matter of pride (even if it is against Yeovil reserves!). More importantly, there is a huge reward for the winners – a place in the final against either Taunton Town or Paulton Rovers. The prize for winning the final – a gold plated pitchfork, 76 pence, and a bottle of scrumpy.

With all this in mind, it is no wonder UEFA have decided to allow Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Roma to play their Champions League games the following night. Had their games clashed with the City/Yeovil game, the European grounds would be deserted due to all the football fans travelling to Somerset.