Swansea vs Cardiff: 6 of the Greatest South Wales Derbies of All Time

The South Wales derby is one of the fiercest, most passionate and bitter rivalries in world football.

Thanks to a variety of social, cultural and political factors, Cardiff and Swansea fans absolutely hate each other.

Violence between the sets of supporters got so extreme that between 1993 and 1994, away fans were banned from attending matches.

But between fighting at Newbury Racecourse, chasing Cardiff fans into the sea and lobbing £65 in loose change at Swansea goalkeeper Roger Freestone, there has also been some football played. Let's take a look at some of the most memorable South Wales derbies in history.

1956 - Cardiff 3-2 Swansea

In 1956, Cardiff and Swansea met in the final of the Welsh Cup for the first time in the competition's history.

Despite Cardiff being reduced to 10 men within 30 minutes after Gerry Hitchens broke his leg, the Bluebirds sealed a famous 3-2 victory.

A brace from Brian Walsh and a John McSeveney strike had given Cardiff a 3-0 advantage, and although Swansea made them sweat with two second-half goals, the Bluebirds hung on to win the competition for the first time in 26 years.

1960 - Swansea 3-3 Cardiff

The two sides met in Division Two towards the back end of the 1959/60 season, with Cardiff chasing promotion.

The Bluebirds raced into a 3-0 first half lead thanks to goals from Joe Bonson, Graham Moore and Brian Walsh.

But the Swans staged a remarkable comeback in the space of six second-half minutes. Brayley Reynolds, and Dixie Hale scored to pull it back to 3-2, before Reynolds produced a fabulous curling effort to level the scores and complete a stunning comeback.

1966 - Cardiff 3-5 Swansea

The rivals met at fifth round stage of the 1966 Welsh Cup, with Cardiff 2-0 up at half time through Gareth Williams and George Johnson. Not long after the break Johnson added a second to give the hosts a seemingly unassailable lead.

But the game was turned on its head just past the hour mark when Cardiff defender Don Murray was sent off for a headbutt. Keith Todd kickstarted the fightback with a brace, and Herbie Williams sent the game to extra time seven minutes from time.

Extra time goals from Jimmy McLaughlin and Brian Evans completed an extraordinary Swansea comeback.

1980 - Cardiff 3-3 Swansea

Momentum swung one way and then the other in this thrilling 1980 Division Two encounter between the pair.

Gary Stevens had opened the scoring for the hosts, before goals from Neil Robinson, Alan Curtis and Leighton James had opened up a comfortable 3-1 lead for Swansea.

Peter Kitchen gave Cardiff a lifeline, and in the dying seconds, John Buchanan equalised with an absolute thunderbolt of a free kick from 35 yards out. Buchanan's strike is referred to as his 'goal of a lifetime', and remains one of the finest goals ever scored in the South Wales derby.

2009 - Swansea 3-2 Cardiff

Swansea came out on top in an enthralling encounter in the Championship.

The hosts had taken a two goal lead inside 13 minutes through a Nathan Dyer header and Darren Pratley volley, but by half time the scores were level.

Jay Bothroyd and Mark Hudson scored within the space of 138 seconds, with a breathless 45 minutes finishing 2-2.

But Pratley was the hero, settling proceedings in the second half with a thumping volley.

2010 - Cardiff 2-1 Swansea

Just three points and one place separated Cardiff and Swansea in the Championship playoffs when the pair met with six league games remaining in 2010.

Cardiff had not beaten Swansea on home turf for 17 years, and fell behind to an Andrea Orlandi strike in the first half.

By Michael Chopra equalised on the cusp of half time, before popping up at the death to dramatically seal victory for Cardiff.