Cwmbran Celtic and Cwmbran Town are set to renew an unusually close local rivalry in south Wales, with the two clubs based only around 40 metres from each other. Their next meeting will be the first time they have faced one another on the pitch in 16 years, giving the fixture added significance.
Because their grounds are so near, the game is being talked about as a possible contender for the closest football derby in Wales and perhaps even in British football. Local rivalries are a major part of the sport, but it is rare for two teams from the same town to be separated by such a short distance.
The match also brings back a contest that has been missing for more than a decade. For players, officials and supporters, that long gap gives the occasion a sense of novelty, even though the clubs have shared the same small patch of Cwmbran for years.
Whether it is officially judged the closest derby or not, Cwmbran Celtic vs Cwmbran Town has a strong claim to being one of the most local matchups in the game. The 40-metre separation and the 16-year wait make this south Wales fixture stand out well beyond its immediate area.
