M69 derby explained

M69 Derby
City Or Region:Coventry/Leicester (England)
First Contested:Leicester City 1–0 Coventry City
1919–20 Second Division
(27 September 1919)
Most Wins:Leicester City (38)
Mostrecent:Coventry City 3–1 Leicester City
2023–24 EFL Championship
(13 January 2024)
Total:88
Series:Leicester City: 38
Draw: 24
Coventry City: 26
Largestvictory:Coventry City 1–8 Leicester City
1964–65 Football League Cup
(1 December 1964)
Stadiums:Coventry Building Society Arena (Coventry City)
King Power Stadium (Leicester City)
Map Location:England Midlands
Map Label1:Coventry City
Map Mark1:Blue 00ffff pog.svg
Map Label2:Leicester City
Map Mark2:Blue 000080 pog.svg
Coordinates1:52.4481°N -1.4956°W

The M69 Derby, formerly the A46 Derby, is a football match played between Coventry City and Leicester City. It takes its name from the motorway that connects the two cities, which are only 24 miles (38 km) apart.

Although neither side is the other club's traditional "arch rival", with Aston Villa considered Coventry's traditional rival and Nottingham Forest as Leicester's, the fixture became increasingly significant between 2001 and 2011 with both clubs' traditional rivals often being in different leagues, and the disillusionment of some Coventry fans with their traditional rivalry with Aston Villa. According to a survey by The Football Pools published in 2008, this fixture is the 26th fiercest rivalry in English football.[1]

However; the rivalry had declined during the 2010’s as Leicester's rise up the leagues and successful period in the top flight, has coincided with Coventry City struggling financially, in-turn resulting into a lower league position in the Football League. Times have changed recently though, as Coventry have risen up the leagues, while Leicester have lost their Premier League status. Following Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League to the EFL Championship in the 2022-23 season, the M69 derby returned in the 2023–2024 season after an eleven year hiatus. Leicester City won the opening day fixture 2-1 at home, followed by Coventry winning the reverse fixture 3-1.

The derby has on occasion been marred by violence, the most recent in February 2008.[2] Prior to that, another took place in Coventry in October 2004 where police officers were pelted with missiles.[3]

Statistics

The first fixture between the two clubs was a Second Division game on 27 September 1919 and resulted in a 1–0 win for Leicester. The biggest victory resulted in an 8–1 to Leicester in the League Cup at Highfield Road on 4 December 1964. Coventry have been heavily beaten on two other occasions at Filbert Street, with both matches ending in a 5–1 win for Leicester. The first was in 1924–25, when Arthur Chandler scored a hat-trick, and in 1984–85, when Gary Lineker scored a brace.[4]

While Leicester is undefeated on their current home turf, this ended for Coventry when they lost 1–0 at the Ricoh Arena on 6 August 2011. Coventry were in the Premier League when they last won at Leicester on 7 April 2001, in a 3–1 win.

Coventry winsDrawsLeicester wins
League24 22 37
FA Cup2 1 0
League Cup0 0 1
Total26 23 38

Game list (since 1984)

The most recent game resulted in a 3–1 win for Coventry at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Date CompetitionStadiumScore width=29% Leicester scorerswidth=29% Coventry scorersAttendanceRef
Leicester promoted to Premier League 2023–24
13 Jan 2024ChampionshipCoventry Building Society Arena3–1Dewsbury-Hall (pen); (Fatawu sent off)O'Hare (2), van Ewijk29,914[5]
6 Aug 2023ChampionshipKing Power Stadium2–1Dewsbury-Hall (2)McFadzean31,763[6]
Leicester relegated to Championship 2022–23
Coventry promoted to Championship 2019–20
Coventry promoted to League One 2017–18
Coventry relegated to League Two 2016–17
Leicester promoted to Premier League 2013–14
Coventry relegated to League One 2011–12
3 Mar 2012ChampionshipKing Power Stadium2–0Nugent, Beckford; (Konchesky sent off)25,487[7]
6 Aug 2011ChampionshipRicoh Arena0–1Peltier21,102[8]
26 Feb 2011ChampionshipWalkers Stadium1–1NaughtonKing25,356[9]
11 Sept 2010ChampionshipRicoh Arena1–1KingPlatt20,060[10]
21 Mar 2010ChampionshipWalkers Stadium2–2King (2)McPake, Deegan23,093[11]
3 Oct 2009ChampionshipRicoh Arena1–1WaghornClingan22,209[12]
Leicester promoted to Championship 2008–09
Leicester relegated to League One 2007–08
23 Feb 2008ChampionshipRicoh Arena2–0Ward (pen), Best23,129[13]
12 Jan 2008ChampionshipWalkers Stadium2–0Howard, Hayles23,905[14]
17 Feb 2007ChampionshipWalkers Stadium3–0Horsfield (2), Johnson25,816[15]
18 Aug 2006ChampionshipRicoh Arena0–020,261[16]
17 Apr 2006ChampionshipRicoh Arena1–1Stearman
(Kisnorbo sent off)
John26,672[17]
23 Oct 2005ChampionshipWalkers Stadium2–1de Vries (2)McSheffrey22,991[18]
8 Nov 2004ChampionshipWalkers Stadium3–0Nalis, Tiatto, Heath22,479[19]
16 Oct 2004ChampionshipHighfield Road1–1DublinMakin (og)18,054[20]
Leicester relegated to Championship 2003–04
Leicester promoted to Premier League 2002–03
22 Mar 2003First DivisionHighfield Road1–2McKinlay, ScowcroftJansen16,610[21]
29 Oct 2002First DivisionWalkers Stadium2–1Taggart, Deane; (Summerbee sent off)Partridge27,139[22]
Leicester relegated to First Division 2001–02
Coventry relegated to First Division 2000–01
7 Apr 2001Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–3AkinbiyiBellamy, Carsley, Hartson19,545[23]
10 Dec 2000Premier LeagueHighfield Road1–0Bellamy17,283[24]
27 Nov 1999Premier LeagueHighfield Road0–122,021[25]
11 Aug 1999Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–0Izzet (pen)(Burrows sent off)19,196[26]
24 Apr 1999Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–0Marshall20,224
23 Jan 1999FA CupFilbert Street0–3Whelan, Froggatt, Telfer; (Boateng sent off)21,207
28 Nov 1998Premier LeagueHighfield Road1–1Heskey
(Sinclair sent off)
Huckerby19,894
4 Apr 1998Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–1WilsonWhelan21,137
29 Nov 1997Premier LeagueHighfield Road0–2Fenton, Elliott (pen)18,309
8 Mar 1997Premier LeagueHighfield Road0–019,220
21 Dec 1996Premier LeagueFilbert Street0–2Dublin (2)20,038
Leicester promoted to Premier League 1995–96
Leicester relegated to First Division 1994–95
25 Feb 1995Premier LeagueHighfield Road4–2Lowe, RobertsFlynn (2), Marsh, Ndlovu20,633
3 Oct 1994Premier LeagueFilbert Street2–2Roberts (2)Dublin, Wegerle19,372
Leicester City promoted to Premier League 1993–94[27]
Leicester City relegated to Second Division 1986–87
4 May 1987First DivisionFilbert Street1–1RamseyGynn14,903
6 Dec 1986First DivisionHighfield Road1–0Regis12,320
8 Mar 1986First DivisionFilbert Street2–1Smith, McAllisterPickering10,744
6 Oct 1985First DivisionHighfield Road3–0Gibson, Bowman, Regis10,959
23 Dec 1985First DivisionFilbert Street5–1Lynex, Rennie, Lineker (2), SmithMicky Gynn18,016
1 Sept 1984First DivisionHighfield Road2–0Latchford, Bennett13,510

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rivalries League . www.footballpools.com . The New Football Pools . 2009-06-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080305004509/http://www.footballpools.com/football-fever/rivalries-league.html . 2008-03-05 .
  2. News: Eleven held in football violence. BBC Sport. 2008-02-24. 2008-10-25. 26 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080226090603/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/7260710.stm. live.
  3. News: Police hit with missiles in city. BBC News. 2004-10-18. 2010-02-09. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000621/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/coventry_warwickshire/3754216.stm. live.
  4. News: Head To Head: Coventry. LCFC.com. 2008-01-11. 2008-10-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20080417101812/http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~1212967%2C00.html. 17 April 2008. dead.
  5. News: 13 Jan 2024 . Coventry City 3-1 Leicester City - Callum O'Hare nets twice in Sky Blues win . 13 Jan 2024 . BBC Sport.
  6. News: Coventry 3-1 Leicester - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scores two late goals to snatch victory. BBC Sport. 6 Aug 2023. 6 Aug 2023.
  7. News: Leicester 2–0 Coventry (2012). BBC Sport. 3 Mar 2012. 4 Mar 2012. 4 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120304204957/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17163085. live.
  8. News: Coventry 0 – 1 Leicester. BBC Sport. 6 Aug 2011. 6 Aug 2011. 20 August 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110820190814/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14352025.stm. live.
  9. News: Leicester 1–1 Coventry (2011). BBC Sport. 26 Feb 2011. 27 Feb 2011. 28 February 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110228063530/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9404988.stm. live.
  10. News: Coventry 1–1 Leicester. BBC Sport. 2010-09-11. 2010-09-12. 13 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100913051335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8977694.stm. live.
  11. News: Leicester 2–2 Coventry. BBC Sport. 2010-03-21. 2010-03-22. 22 March 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100322054303/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8571179.stm. live.
  12. News: Coventry 1 – 1 Leicester. BBC Sport. 2009-10-03. 2009-10-03. 5 October 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091005100335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8269761.stm. live.
  13. News: Coventry 2–0 Leicester. BBC Sport. 2008-02-23. 2008-10-25. 25 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080225231402/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7248330.stm. live.
  14. News: Leicester 2–0 Coventry. BBC Sport. 2008-01-12. 2008-10-25. 15 January 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080115134446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7172833.stm. live.
  15. News: Leicester 3–0 Coventry (2007). BBC Home. 2007-02-19. 2008-10-25. 21 February 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070221205910/http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2007/02/17/lcfc_coventry_home_17feb2007_result.shtml. live.
  16. News: Coventry 0–0 Leicester. BBC Sport. 2006-08-16. 2008-10-25. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4786387.stm. live.
  17. News: Coventry 1–1 Leicester (2006). BBC Sport. 2006-04-17. 2008-10-25. 24 April 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060424045137/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4906640.stm. live.
  18. News: Leicester 2–1 Coventry (2005). BBC Sport. 2005-10-23. 2008-10-25. 23 October 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051023061035/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4344732.stm. live.
  19. News: Leicester 3–0 Coventry (2004). BBC Sport. 2004-11-08. 2008-10-25. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014552/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/3988145.stm. live.
  20. News: Coventry 1–1 Leicester (2004). BBC Sport. 2004-10-16. 2008-10-25. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073424/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/3718484.stm. live.
  21. News: Coventry 1–2 Leicester. BBC Sport. 2003-03-21. 2008-10-25. 10 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140110134744/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2852677.stm. live.
  22. News: Leicester 2–1 Coventry (2002). 2002-10-29. 2008-10-25. BBC News. 8 April 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030408204731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2356601.stm. live.
  23. News: Foxes out-fought by Sky Blues. BBC Sport. 2001-04-07. 2008-10-26. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305051340/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1264460.stm. live.
  24. News: Clockwatch: Coventry 1–0 Leicester. BBC Sport. 2000-12-10. 2008-10-26. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074326/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1064393.stm. live.
  25. News: Heskey sinks Sky Blues. BBC Sport. 1999-11-27. 2008-10-26. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035935/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/539361.stm. live.
  26. News: Head to head: Leicester v Coventry. BBC Sport. 2001-04-05. 2010-02-09. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305040200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1263228.stm. live.
  27. The 22 clubs of the Football League First Division broke away to form the Premier League in 1992; with the remaining divisions of the Football League renumbered accordingly.

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