Kingsbury derby
| Location | Kingsbury, CENT |
|---|---|
| First meeting | 1917 |
| Trophy | Lord Mayor's Shield |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 204 |
| All-time record |
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| Largest victory |
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The sporting rivalry between Red Star and Imperials is a significant and long-standing contest in New Ingrean football. The rivalry began soon after the foundation of Red Star by workers at the Kingsbury Power Station in 1917. The club quickly emerged as one of the top teams, and soon challenged the previously powerful Imperials, a club with a long and proud history that drew their support from the middle and upper-class football fans of Kingsbury's northern and western suburbs. Today, the two clubs vie annually for the Lord Mayor's Shield, a trophy donated by Leonard Gipps, the then Lord Mayor of Kingsbury in 1936.
History
Early years
Drawing players from the physically-tough workers of the Kingsbury Power Station, Red Star was founded in 1917, and quickly ascended in prominence within the amateur football competition of Kingsbury, the Kingsbury Football Association. This rapid ascent led to Red Star securing its first league championship in 1926. In contrast Imperials Football Club, whose history can be traced all the way back to 1882, had already established itself as one of the dominant forces in local football. The marked class distinctions between the two sides, coupled with a succession of closely contested matches the early 1920s, ensured that the clubs in would quickly develop a fierce and brutally physical rivalry.
The interruption of competitive football due to the Great War between 1939 to 1945 did little to temper the rivalry. In fact, the intensity between the two clubs only grew during the 1950s and 1960s as the two clubs vied for supremacy in the newly established Metropolitan Premier League. Their encounters were marked by a fierce physicality of play that many journalists considered to be on par with the professional First Division. This intensity was lapped by fans on both sides, who fervently cheered on the brutal contests.
A highly significant confrontation occurred in November 1967, when the two clubs faced off in the final of that year's Amateur Cup. After a fiercely contested match, Red Star claimed victory after the siren as a result of a particularly controversial ruling from the umpire handed them a free kick in front of goal, going out winners 11.11 (77) to 9.22 (76). The win only served to inflame tensions between the two clubs, both on and off the field, and proved to be an ominous portent of what was to come.
Turbulent times
The rise of organised supporter groups, or "ultras," in the 1970s and 1980s added another layer of intensity to the derby. The Red Star ultras, known as the "Kingsbury Reds," were distinguished by their left-wing political affiliations and inflammatory chants and songs. In contrast, the Royals ultras, called the "Iron Guard," were predominantly right-wing and drew their backing from more conservative segments of Kingsbury society.
This ideological divide often spilled over into violence, with clashes between the Kingsbury Reds and the Iron Guard becoming more frequent during the 1980s. A particularly severe incident occurred in 1983, when multiple fans were hospitalised following a brawl outside the stadium after a match at Prospect Oval. As a result, both clubs were fined £1,000, and numerous individuals received lifetime bans. It was not until the early 1990s that violence began to diminish, as league authorities imposed stricter penalties and curtailed the most extreme aspects of ultra culture.
Despite the ideological rift and the violent confrontations, both Red Star and Imperials continued to play pivotal roles in the development of amateur football in the capital. Development academies were formed by both clubs, nurturing local talent and providing a pathway for talented players to advance through the amateurs and on to top-flight football. Imperials formed a partnership with Kingsbury FC in 1988, and Red Star followed with a similar partnership with Hillsborough in 1991.
Recent developments
In recent years, both clubs have faced significant financial challenges, threatening their long-term viability. Red Star, in particular, came close to bankruptcy in 2014 following a series of failed financial ventures.
Nevertheless, there are signs of recovery for both clubs. Red Star has made substantial improvements in its financial management, while Imperials have seen increased investment from wealthy backers. A major breakthrough occurred in 2024 when both clubs were promoted to the NIFA National League, where they now compete in the Conference East section.
Statistics
      Red Star
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 Imperials
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