For more than a decade, only about 40 metres have separated them. Now two south Wales clubs believe they might have the most local rivalry in British football.
In England, Nottingham Forest and Notts County are divided only by the River Trent, making them the closest senior professional neighbours. In Scotland, just 0.17 miles (272m) lie between Dundee’s Dens Park and Dundee United’s Tannadice.
But when Cwmbran Celtic host Cwmbran Town on Tuesday—meeting for the first time in 16 years in Wales’s third tier—the distance between their home grounds could be shorter than either of those.
“We think it’s the closest derby in the UK, maybe even one of the closest anywhere,” said Celtic supporter Steve Fry. “Next to this, the walk between the Dundee grounds feels like a trek!
“I don’t know if Town will even bother with a coach, but they’ll get a warm welcome. Everyone’s buzzing for it—what better way to start the season?”