The fixture between Leicester City and Derby County is a football rivalry in the East Midlands. The fixture is often called an East Midlands derby. The two clubs have a strong mutual dislike of each other, and the rivalry is keenly felt on the border between both cities and counties. However, Derby supporters generally consider Nottingham Forest to be their main rivals, while Leicester supporters generally consider both Nottingham Forest and Coventry City to be their main rivals.

Historically, in a total of 110 matches between the two sides, there have been 28 draws. Derby have a better overall record against Leicester, winning 46 times, whereas Leicester have won 36 times. However, in recent years, Leicester have dominated the fixture, having won 11 of the last 13 meetings, losing just one.

Head to head The table below demonstrates the competitive match results between the two sides. CompetitionLeicester City winsDrawsDerby County wins Football League 30 26 35 Premier League 4 0 8 FA Cup 1 1 1 League Cup 1 1 2 Total 36 28 46

Crossing the divide

During both Derby and Leicester's history several players have played for both clubs and a manager has managed both.

Players Derby then Leicester Johnny McMillan Jack Bowers Tommy Eggleston David McCulloch Johnny Morris Willie Carlin Gerry Daly Dave Langan Gary Mills, also played for Nottingham Forest and Notts County Bobby Davison Ian Ormondroyd Phil Gee Gary Rowett Dean Sturridge Jacob Laursen Lee Morris Steve Howard Matt Oakley Chris Powell Marc Edworthy James Vaughan

Leicester then Derby Mick O'Brien John Summers David Nish David Webb Trevor Christie, also played for Nottingham Forest and Notts County. Mark Wallington Mark Grew Peter Shilton, also played for Nottingham Forest. Ian Wilson Paul Kitson Gary Charles also played for Nottingham Forest. Russell Hoult Ashley Ward Spencer Prior Chris Makin Kevin Poole Ryan Smith Robbie Savage – played for Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers in between. Paul Dickov – loaned to Derby County from Leicester in 2009. Jordan Stewart Lee Hendrie DJ Campbell David Martin Zak Whitbread Michael Keane – loaned to Leicester City, and later Derby County, from Manchester United Jesse Lingard – loaned to Leicester City, and later Derby County, from Manchester United David Nugent Martyn Waghorn – played for Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Ipswich Town in between. Tom Lawrence Andy King – loaned to Derby County from Leicester in January 2019. Richard Stearman

Managers and staff Nigel Pearson – managed Leicester in 2 separate spells, left Derby by mutual consent on 8 October 2016 Kevin Phillips – Player and coach at Leicester, later first team coach at Derby

Results since 2006

Date Competition Stadium Score Derby scorers Leicester scorers Attendance RefLeicester relegated to League One 2025–2629 December 2025ChampionshipKing Power Stadium 2–1Rhian BrewsterBobby De Cordova-Reid, Jordan James31,354 6 December 2025ChampionshipPride Park Stadium 1–3Sondre LangåsBobby De Cordova-Reid, Oliver Skipp, Jordan James30,784Leicester relegated to Championship 2024–25Leicester promoted to Premier League 2023–24Derby promoted to Championship 2023–24Leicester relegated to Championship 2022–23Derby relegated to League One 2021–22 8 February 2017 FA Cup King Power Stadium 3–1 (a.e.t.) Abdoul Camara Andy King, Wilfred Ndidi, Demarai Gray 31,648 27 January 2017 FA Cup Pride Park Stadium 2–2 Darren Bent, Craig Bryson Darren Bent (o.g.), Wes Morgan 25,079Leicester promoted to Premier League 2013–14 10 January 2014 Championship King Power Stadium 4–1Ritchie De Laet (o.g.)Ritchie De Laet, David Nugent (2), Jamie Vardy 23,140 24 September 2013 League Cup King Power Stadium 2–1Chris MartinAnthony Knockaert, Danny Drinkwater 14,043 17 August 2013 Championship Pride Park Stadium 0–1Lee Grant (o.g.) 23,437 16 March 2013 Championship Pride Park Stadium 2–1Richard Keogh, Chris MartinJeff Schlupp 23,123 1 December 2012 Championship King Power Stadium 4–1Theo RobinsonZak Whitbread, Martyn Waghorn, David Nugent (2) 20,806 23 February 2012 Championship Pride Park Stadium 0–1Neil Danns 28,205 1 October 2011 Championship King Power Stadium 4–0David Nugent, Darius Vassell, Jeff Schlupp, Lloyd Dyer 22,496 12 February 2011 Championship Pride Park Stadium 0–2Yakubu, Andy King 26,142 13 November 2010 Championship Walkers Stadium 2–0 Andy King, Steve Howard (pen.) 25,930 27 March 2010 Championship Pride Park Stadium 1–0Andy King (o.g.) 30,259 17 October 2009 Championship Walkers Stadium 0–0 28,875Leicester promoted to Championship 2008–09Leicester relegated to League One 2007–08Derby relegated to Championship 2007–08Derby promoted to Premier League 2006–07 6 April 2007 Championship Walkers Stadium 1–1Craig FaganMatty Fryatt 24,704 25 November 2006 Championship Pride Park Stadium 1–0Jon Stead 28,315 14 February 2006 Championship Walkers Stadium 2–2Mounir El Hamdaoui, Richard Stearman (o.g.)Iain Hume, Alan Maybury 23,246

Notable results

Honours TeamLeagueFA CupLeague CupFA Charity Shield/ FA Community ShieldTotal trophiesLeicester City11327Derby County21014Total323312

Hooliganism The fixture between the two teams, like the majority of local derbies in English football, has resulted in a number of football hooliganism related incidents.

In 1985, after a League Cup match between the two sides which saw Leicester eliminated at the hands of Derby, there was a widespread "riot".

In 2009, James Underwood, a Derby supporter aligned with the firm Derby Lunatic Fringe, was involved in an incident with Leicester supporters. In 2010, Underwood was then banned from attending football matches for three years for his role in that incident, among other separate clashes involving supporters of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday.

Miscellaneous The highest scoring game between the two sides ended 5–2 to Derby County in the 1928/29 season, in which year Leicester achieved their second highest ever league finish. The last fixture played away from both clubs' home stadiums was in 1994, in the play-off final at the old Wembley Stadium. Leicester won the match 2–1 to gain promotion to the Premier League. The last time Derby have won against Leicester away from home was in 2002 at Filbert Street, the year both clubs were relegated from the Premier League. Leicester won the reverse fixture 3–2. According to the Football fan census, Leicester and Derby are 'traditional' rivals. Leicester as well as Forest refer to Derby as 'the sheep', a reference to their nickname being the Rams. Of the two clubs, Leicester have a better record against Nottingham Forest.

See also

Leicester City F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry M69 derby

References