AS a native of the North East, it should come as no surprise that Lee Clark loves a good derby.
The Rotherham United boss has played on both sides of the Tyne-Wear divide, although his affiliations to Newcastle United are legion.
After swapping Tyneside for Wearside, his time at Sunderland was finished following an infamous incident just over a quarter of a century ago.
Clark, who made over 200 appearances for boyhood club Newcastle before making the short move east in 1997, enjoyed two successful years with the Black Cats, culminating in promotion to the Premier League.
Rotherham United manager Lee Clark (Image: James Hardisty)placeholder image
Rotherham United manager Lee Clark (Image: James Hardisty)
But his career at the Stadium of Light ended after he was pictured in London wearing a t-shirt with a derogatory Sunderland message before Newcastle’s FA Cup final at Wembley in 1999.
It’s something he regrets. What he is more minded to recall is his record in Tyne-Wear derbies.
He said: "I never lost a Tyne and Wear derby, so I've never felt the pain of being on the losing side in one of those. It's a good record, it's one I'm proud of."
With respect, pre-derby fervour has not exactly engulfed Millers supporters ahead of this particular meeting.
Rotherham's Kian Spence celebrates his winning goal against Barnsley in the reverse fixture in late October. The Millers are chasing a first derby double since February 1953. (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe)placeholder image
Rotherham's Kian Spence celebrates his winning goal against Barnsley in the reverse fixture in late October. The Millers are chasing a first derby double since February 1953. (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe)
Even if a win would hand Rotherham a first derby double over Barnsley since February 1953.
In the here and now, Rotherham’s plight at the relegation zone is grim and they are desperate for three points. Derby kudos is secondary.
Clark added: "Saturday has lots riding on it. One, we need to start winning. Two, it's against our local rivals. Players are well aware of everything surrounding the game."