Meaning of the phrase Local Derby

Posted by Bob on September 29, 1999

In Reply to: Meaning of the phrase Local Derby posted by Mike Barney on September 28, 1999

: could anybody out there tell me the origins of the phrase "local derby" as used when talking about a soccer match between 2 teams.
: thanks
: Mike

Best I've come up with so far is to verify that it refers to a soccer match between two teams in the same town (Everton vs. Liverpool; Manchester United vs. Manchester City, etc.) Why Derby? Don't know yet.