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Derby du Nord
Football rivalry in France From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Derby du Nord (French pronunciation: [dɛʁbi du nɔʁ], lit. 'Northern Derby') is a football rivalry contested between northern French clubs RC Lens, founded in 1906, and Lille OSC, founded in 1944 through a merger between Olympique Lillois and SC Fives. Both clubs are two of the region's most successful clubs but are located in different departments, with Lens being in Pas-de-Calais, and Lille in Nord.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the name referred to matches between Olympique Lillois and US Tourquennoise, as well as matches between RC Roubaix and Excelsior AC.[1]
Currently, the name can refer to matches involving Lille and Valenciennes FC as both clubs are located within the Nord department; however, the name historically applies mainly to matches involving Lille and Lens. As a result, the Lille–Valenciennes match is sometimes referred to as the Petit Derby du Nord.
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History
The two cities first met in 1937 when Lille were playing under the Olympique Lillois emblem. Due to each club's close proximity towards each other being separated by only 40 kilometres (25 mi) and sociological differences between each club's supporters, a fierce rivalry developed.
Historically, the Derby du Nord was underpinned by social and economic differences, since the city of Lens is known as an old, working-class, industrial city and Lille as a middle-class, modern, internationally oriented one.[2] In recent times, this social class opposition is no longer as relevant where both fanbases now come from both lower and middle classes.[3]
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Statistics
Head-to-head record
- As of 30 March 2025
Honours
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See also
References
External links
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