Is the Middlesbrough versus Newcastle United match a derby?

MALCOLM MACDONALD

Yes: I say that because in the five years I was a Newcastle player the only local clashes I played in were against Middlesbrough. During my time Sunderland were a Division Two side.

So, for me games against Boro have a real edge.

They stir up memories of one of the most thrilling matches I played in for Newcastle.

It was at Ayresome Park in 1976. We were 3-1 down with about ten minutes to go. In the dying minutes with 30,000 Teessiders celebrating the win we rattled in two late goals to silence them. Irving Nattrass scored our third and it was a rarity for him to be on the scoresheet.

There is nothing better than walking out in a derby game with the opposition supporters baying for your blood and then coming away with a result. I was never flavour of the month with the Boro crowd, who gave me plenty of stick, but that just spurred me on.

It was a great comeback by Newcastle that day.

I can’t recall much about the game but the emotion of it sticks with me.

BERNIE SLAVEN

Yes: I know the importance of derbies for the public. I’ve played in a right few and watched them in Glasgow. I wouldn’t put the Boro versus Newcastle game on a par with an Old Firm clash but it is still a huge game for both sets of supporters and any player who isn’t up for this one just does not deserve to wear the shirt.

They are great occasions that no-one wants to lose.

As a player I loved nothing more than scoring against Newcastle and there are still enough local lads involved on both sides to understand the importance of the game.

Probably the best memory of my time on Teesside is the 4-1 win in 1990. We had to win to stay up while Newcastle were going for promotion.

Our gaffer Bruce Rioch had just been sacked and we were in a state of turmoil to some extent.

They were hot favourites and we had been written off.

I remember having breakfast on the Saturday morning before the game and in the newspaper there was a photo of (Newcastle strikers) Micky Quinn and Mark McGhee dressed as gangsters, holding machine guns and talking about how they were going to blow us away. I nearly choked on my cornflakes. I thought right, you lot are going to get it both barrels!

The audacity of the Geordies meant that apparently they’d booked a helicopter to fly the squad back after the game so they could celebrate in front of their fans at St James’ Park, where it was being broadcast live on a big screen.

It ended Slaven (2), Baird (2) and we sent them packing.

It was one of the greatest days of my football career. I wish we could do it all over again.

NICK PICKERING

No: There is only one genuine derby in this region and that is Sunderland versus Newcastle.

Middlesbrough fans may regard it as a derby but I’m not sure Newcastle fans will feel the same.

Don’t get me wrong it’s a massive game and both sets of supporters will be desperate to win. The pressure is on Boro to take all three points because they really need to win all of their home games to have any chance of a play-off place. But Newcastle seem to be able to grind out results even when they aren’t playing well.

They’ve really hit their stride lately so I expect Boro will be up against it on Saturday afternoon.

Listen to The Legends weekdays 6-8pm and Saturdays from 1pm on 100-102FM Real Radio

Read their views every Saturday in Northern Echo Sport