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3 unusual facts about North Belfast derby


North Belfast derby

The two are separated by around 1.5 miles with Cliftonville based at Solitude on Cliftonville Road and Crusaders at Seaview on the Shore Road.

The rivalry between the two clubs was heightened during The Troubles, with Cliftonville developing a mainly nationalist following and Crusaders a unionist following, largely dictated by the religious following of their respective supports.

In 1979 at the height of The Troubles, there were more than 1,900 police officers on duty for a match between Crusaders and Cliftonville at Seaview, more than has ever been recorded at a football match in the United Kingdom.



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