Because the flip of the century the 2 sides have solely performed one another on 10 events, and through the complete Nineties they solely met as soon as within the FA Cup.
There have been solely three derbies throughout the Nineteen Eighties and within the Nineteen Seventies they performed 4 occasions – and in complete the 2 golf equipment have solely met 72 occasions in 125 years.
“The final derby was in 2019, and that was a very long time for the grudge to be held,” added Farmery.
“There's a whole lot of build-up over an extended time frame and since that boil does not get the possibility to be lanced usually sufficient, that contributes to the ferociousness of the rivalry.”
Southampton membership historian Duncan Holley believes the truth that Saints have historically completed greater within the soccer pyramid has additionally fuelled the rivalry.
“Previously 64 seasons, Saints have solely been beneath Portsmouth in ending phrases on seven events,” he mentioned.
Holley mentioned that relative success irritated Portsmouth followers and “by the point the Sixties ended there was a whole lot of animosity coming from Portsmouth to Southampton”.
He added: “Saints followers then retaliated and determined to match the sensation, and that is the way it all grew to become.
“There may be at all times rivalry between any neighbouring city, and this was initially a pleasant competitiveness, however that basically petered out. It is grow to be a little bit of a cult and I see it as one of many strongest derbies round.”
