'It's different to any other derby'

They're like two brothers, but only one of them can be king. They have the same blood but would kill each other to take the throne. They are two like-for-like cultures and people and all that separates them is the Thames. It's like they're looking at a mirror image of themselves. They have the same kind of outlook and it all amounts to looking after yourself and being able to back it up. That explains the intensity.

There's no starting point and it's been there through history. You can point to the underworld and rivalry between different dockers but it's just an animal, tribal instinct. What makes it special is the depth and range of people that can back it up. In other parts of the country it's just a small section of the community but in the East End and south London it's a huge part. It's a show of force of the community as a whole and everyone wants to take part.

No one can put their finger on one incident, citing revenge from one particular game or another. It's always been this way. You can go back to medieval times, Victorian times or the time of the Krays. The hatred has always been there. We had the Krays so they came up with the Richardsons. Before that there was the dockers: Isle of Dogs v Canning Town.

There's always been a rivalry around the areas where the football grounds are located. It's only the young men and hooligans that want to have a fight but big chunks of both localities take an interest.

A lot of it is about the past. Football gives the violence expression, but it's far deeper than that.

We want to put one over on the south London gypsies and they want to put one over on the Irons. Since I was a kid we always thought we were better than them.

The violence is not as intense as it was because people's lives have changed and they've moved away. There's a difference between fighting for the community you live in and the one you feel you represent. It'll never be as intense as the past. There were some ferocious battles in the 1970s that will never be repeated. Having said that, Sunday afternoon could still be fairly lively. Parents should think very carefully before allowing their kids to go.

Football has changed over the last 10 years but some leopards can't change their spots. Some of the past ugliness will resurface, but the good thing is the police are expecting it. The police presence will be very large and I'd expect them to control it. There'll be more officers than away supporters, which tells you something.
Cass Pennant was talking to Matt Hughes. Cass's latest book, Terrace Legends (John Blake) is available for £16.99. Congratulations: You Have Just Met the ICF (John Blake) is priced £7.99