Saturday, February 13, 2010

It's the Scummers v. the Skates


It's called the "SOUTH COAST DERBY."
SOUTHAMPTON is a merchant port, PORTSMOUTH is a naval port, and a mere 21 miles separate the two arch rival football clubs, who met in the FA CUP today.

Portsmouth supporters often refer to their Southampton counterparts as "Scummers" and Southampton supporters refer to their rivals as the "Skates," a derogatory term for sailors (since Portsmouth is home to the Royal Navy).

So, there is no love lost between the clubs, who met for the first time competitively in five seasons.

The Premier League's basement club, Portsmouth sit 37 league places higher than League One Southampton, but the latter's future appears considerably brighter.
Financially troubled Portsmouth have struggled to pay players' wages this season, and face the real prospect of liquidation over unpaid debts.

It was the Skates' day today, however, as Portsmouth scored a quartet of second-half goals to down the home side, 4-1.

Watching it live on TV, it was easy to see how much the match meant to both sides of this bitter divide.

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