M69 derby

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Association football rivalry

title: "M69 derby" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["football-derbies-in-england", "coventry-city-f.c.", "leicester-city-f.c."] description: "Association football rivalry" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M69_derby" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Association football rivalry ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox sports rivalry"]

FieldValue
nameM69 derby
other names
image[[File:Ricoh Arena -Coventry -match in progress2.jpg
captionM69 derby at the Ricoh Arena on 23 February 2008, which Coventry won 2–0.
city or regionCoventry/Leicester (England)
first contestedLeicester City 1–0 Coventry City
1919–20 Second Division
(27 September 1919)
teams involvedCoventry City
Leicester City
most winsLeicester City (38)
mostrecentCoventry City 2–1 Leicester City
2025–26 EFL Championship
(17 January 2026)
nextmeetingTBD
total89
seriesLeicester City: 38
Draw: 24
Coventry City: 26
largestvictoryCoventry City 1–8 Leicester City
1964–65 Football League Cup
(1 December 1964)
stadiumsCoventry Building Society Arena (Coventry City)
King Power Stadium (Leicester City)
map_locationEngland Midlands
map_label1Coventry City
map_mark1Blue 00ffff pog.svg
map_label2Leicester City
map_mark2Blue 000080 pog.svg
coordinates1
coordinates2
::

| name = M69 derby | other names = | image = [[File:Ricoh Arena -Coventry -match in progress2.jpg|300px]] | caption = M69 derby at the Ricoh Arena on 23 February 2008, which Coventry won 2–0. | city or region = Coventry/Leicester (England) | first contested = Leicester City 1–0 Coventry City 1919–20 Second Division (27 September 1919) | teams involved = Coventry City Leicester City | most wins = Leicester City (38) | most player appearances = | mostrecent = Coventry City 2–1 Leicester City 2025–26 EFL Championship (17 January 2026) | nextmeeting = TBD | total = 89 | series = Leicester City: 38 Draw: 24 Coventry City: 26 | postseason = | largestvictory = Coventry City 1–8 Leicester City 1964–65 Football League Cup (1 December 1964) | stadiums = Coventry Building Society Arena (Coventry City) King Power Stadium (Leicester City) | map_location = England Midlands | map_label1 = Coventry City | map_mark1 = Blue 00ffff pog.svg | map_label2 = Leicester City | map_mark2 = Blue 000080 pog.svg | coordinates1 = | coordinates2 =

The M69 derby is a football match played between Coventry City and Leicester City. It takes its name from the motorway that connects the two cities, which are only 24 miles (38 km) apart.

Coventry and Leicester's traditional rivals have historically been considered to be Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest respectively. However, the fixture became increasingly significant between 2001 and 2011 with both clubs' traditional rivals often being in a different league. According to a survey by The Football Pools published in 2008, this fixture is the 26th fiercest rivalry in English football.

The rivalry declined during the 2010’s as Leicester experienced their most successful period at the top level of English football, while Coventry struggled financially and spent time in both League One and League Two. Coventry have since risen back up the English football league system, and in 2023, Leicester lost their Premier League status after nine years in the division.

The M69 derby made its return during the 2023–24 season after an eleven year hiatus. Leicester won the opening day fixture 2–1 at home, while Coventry won the reverse fixture 3–1. The most recent meeting between the two clubs was a 2-1 home win for Coventry on 17 January 2026.

Crowd trouble

The fixture between the two clubs has historically been marred by incidents of violence. In September 1984, a pitch invasion took place two minutes into a First Division game at Highfield Road. In October 2004, trouble broke out in Coventry with police officers pelted with missiles. In February 2008, up to 100 hooligans were involved in a brawl on a street nearby to the Coventry Building Society Arena. On 3 March 2012, supporters of both clubs clashed on a street in Leicester, with windows on a mini-bus allegedly smashed. During the 2023–24 season, offensive banners were displayed on the M69 motorway ahead of both fixtures.

Statistics

The first fixture between the two clubs was a Second Division game on 27 September 1919 which resulted in a 1–0 win for Leicester. The biggest victory resulted in an 8–1 Leicester victory in the League Cup at Highfield Road on 4 December 1964.

Coventry have been heavily beaten on two other occasions at Filbert Street, with both matches ending in a 5–1 win for Leicester. The first was in 1924–25, when Arthur Chandler scored a hat-trick, and in 1984–85, when Gary Lineker scored a brace.

Since moving to their current stadium in 2002, Leicester have never been defeated by Coventry. Coventry held the same record at the Coventry Building Society Arena from 2005 to 2011. Coventry were in the Premier League when they last won at Leicester on 7 April 2001.

::data[format=table]

Coventry winsDrawsLeicester winsTotal262438
League242337
FA Cup210
League Cup001
::

Game list (since 1984)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Ben_Alnwick,Joe_Mattock&_Zsolt_Laczkó.jpg" caption="M69 derby at the [[Walkers Stadium]] on 12 January 2008, which Leicester won 2–0."] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Penalty_Alnwick.jpg" caption="Coventry's [[Elliott Ward]] scores a penalty against Leicester on 23 February 2008."] ::

The most recent fixture resulted in a 2-1 Coventry win at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 17 January 2026.

::

::data[format=table]

DateCompetitionStadiumScoreLeicester scorersCoventry scorersAttendanceRef
17 Jan 2026ChampionshipCoventry Building Society Arena2–1JamesSimms, Wrightdate=17 January 2026
20 Sept 2025ChampionshipKing Power Stadium0–030,857date=20 September 2025
Leicester relegated to Championship 2024–25
Leicester promoted to Premier League 2023–24
13 Jan 2024ChampionshipCoventry Building Society Arena3–1Dewsbury-Hall (pen); (Fatawu sent off)O'Hare (2), van Ewijk29,914date=13 Jan 2024
6 Aug 2023ChampionshipKing Power Stadium2–1Dewsbury-Hall (2)McFadzean31,763title = Coventry 3–1 Leicester - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scores two late goals to snatch victory
Leicester relegated to Championship 2022–23
Coventry promoted to Championship 2019–20
Coventry promoted to League One 2017–18
Coventry relegated to League Two 2016–17
Leicester promoted to Premier League 2013–14
Coventry relegated to League One 2011–12
3 Mar 2012ChampionshipKing Power Stadium2–0Nugent, Beckford; (Konchesky sent off)25,487title = Leicester 2–0 Coventry (2012)
6 Aug 2011ChampionshipRicoh Arena0–1Peltier21,102title = Coventry 0–1 Leicester
26 Feb 2011ChampionshipWalkers Stadium1–1NaughtonKing25,356title = Leicester 1–1 Coventry (2011)
11 Sept 2010ChampionshipRicoh Arena1–1KingPlatt20,060title = Coventry 1–1 Leicester
21 Mar 2010ChampionshipWalkers Stadium2–2King (2)McPake, Deegan23,093title = Leicester 2–2 Coventry
3 Oct 2009ChampionshipRicoh Arena1–1WaghornClingan22,209title = Coventry 1 – 1 Leicester
Leicester promoted to Championship 2008–09
Leicester relegated to League One 2007–08
23 Feb 2008ChampionshipRicoh Arena2–0Ward (pen), Best23,129title = Coventry 2–0 Leicester
12 Jan 2008ChampionshipWalkers Stadium2–0Howard, Hayles23,905title = Leicester 2–0 Coventry
17 Feb 2007ChampionshipWalkers Stadium3–0Horsfield (2), Johnson25,816title = Leicester 3–0 Coventry (2007)
18 Aug 2006ChampionshipRicoh Arena0–020,261title = Coventry 0–0 Leicester
17 Apr 2006ChampionshipRicoh Arena1–1Stearman; (Kisnorbo sent off)John26,672title = Coventry 1–1 Leicester (2006)
23 Oct 2005ChampionshipWalkers Stadium2–1de Vries (2)McSheffrey22,991title = Leicester 2–1 Coventry (2005)
8 Nov 2004ChampionshipWalkers Stadium3–0Nalis, Tiatto, Heath22,479title = Leicester 3–0 Coventry (2004)
16 Oct 2004ChampionshipHighfield Road1–1DublinMakin (og)18,054title = Coventry 1–1 Leicester (2004)
Leicester relegated to Championship 2003–04
Leicester promoted to Premier League 2002–03
22 Mar 2003First DivisionHighfield Road1–2McKinlay, ScowcroftJansen16,610title = Coventry 1–2 Leicester
29 Oct 2002First DivisionWalkers Stadium2–1Taggart, Deane; (Summerbee sent off)Partridge27,139title = Leicester 2–1 Coventry (2002)
Leicester relegated to First Division 2001–02
Coventry relegated to First Division 2000–01
7 Apr 2001Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–3AkinbiyiBellamy, Carsley, Hartson19,545title = Foxes out-fought by Sky Blues
10 Dec 2000Premier LeagueHighfield Road1–0Bellamy17,283title = Clockwatch: Coventry 1–0 Leicester
27 Nov 1999Premier LeagueHighfield Road0–1Heskey22,021
11 Aug 1999Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–0Izzet (pen)(Burrows sent off)19,196title = Head to head: Leicester v Coventry
24 Apr 1999Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–0Marshall20,224
23 Jan 1999FA CupFilbert Street0–3Whelan, Froggatt, Telfer; (Boateng sent off)21,207
28 Nov 1998Premier LeagueHighfield Road1–1Heskey; (Sinclair sent off)Huckerby19,894
4 Apr 1998Premier LeagueFilbert Street1–1WilsonWhelan21,137
29 Nov 1997Premier LeagueHighfield Road0–2Fenton, Elliott (pen)18,309
8 Mar 1997Premier LeagueHighfield Road0–019,220
21 Dec 1996Premier LeagueFilbert Street0–2Dublin (2)20,038
Leicester promoted to Premier League 1995–96
Leicester relegated to First Division 1994–95
25 Feb 1995Premier LeagueHighfield Road4–2Lowe, RobertsFlynn (2), Marsh, Ndlovu20,633
3 Oct 1994Premier LeagueFilbert Street2–2Roberts (2)Dublin, Wegerle19,372
Leicester City promoted to Premier League 1993–94
Leicester City relegated to Second Division 1986–87
4 May 1987First DivisionFilbert Street1–1RamseyGynn14,903title = Head-to-Head – Leicester City FC
6 Dec 1986First DivisionHighfield Road1–0Regis12,320
8 Mar 1986First DivisionFilbert Street2–1Smith, McAllisterPickering10,744
6 Oct 1985First DivisionHighfield Road3–0Gibson, Bowman, Regis10,959
23 Dec 1985First DivisionFilbert Street5–1Lynex, Rennie, Lineker (2), SmithMicky Gynn18,016
1 Sept 1984First DivisionHighfield Road2–0Latchford, Bennett13,510
::

References

References

  1. "Rivalries League". The New Football Pools.
  2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/czdqyzjd1rdt
  3. (2004-10-18). "Police hit with missiles in city". BBC News.
  4. (2008-02-24). "Eleven held in football violence". BBC Sport.
  5. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-67968056 bbc.co.uk]
  6. (2008-01-11). "Head To Head: Coventry". LCFC.com.
  7. (17 January 2026). "Coventry City 2–1 Leicester City - Sky blues come from behind to win". BBC Sport.
  8. (20 September 2025). "Leicester City 0–0 Coventry City - Leicester held by Coventry in goalless M69 derby". BBC Sport.
  9. (13 Jan 2024). "Coventry City 3–1 Leicester City - Callum O'Hare nets twice in Sky Blues win". BBC Sport.
  10. (6 Aug 2023). "Coventry 3–1 Leicester - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scores two late goals to snatch victory". BBC Sport.
  11. (3 Mar 2012). "Leicester 2–0 Coventry (2012)". BBC Sport.
  12. (6 Aug 2011). "Coventry 0–1 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  13. (26 Feb 2011). "Leicester 1–1 Coventry (2011)". BBC Sport.
  14. (2010-09-11). "Coventry 1–1 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  15. (2010-03-21). "Leicester 2–2 Coventry". BBC Sport.
  16. (2009-10-03). "Coventry 1 – 1 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  17. (2008-02-23). "Coventry 2–0 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  18. (2008-01-12). "Leicester 2–0 Coventry". BBC Sport.
  19. (2007-02-19). "Leicester 3–0 Coventry (2007)". BBC Home.
  20. (2006-08-16). "Coventry 0–0 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  21. (2006-04-17). "Coventry 1–1 Leicester (2006)". BBC Sport.
  22. (2005-10-23). "Leicester 2–1 Coventry (2005)". BBC Sport.
  23. (2004-11-08). "Leicester 3–0 Coventry (2004)". BBC Sport.
  24. (2004-10-16). "Coventry 1–1 Leicester (2004)". BBC Sport.
  25. (2003-03-21). "Coventry 1–2 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  26. (2002-10-29). "Leicester 2–1 Coventry (2002)". BBC News.
  27. (2001-04-07). "Foxes out-fought by Sky Blues". BBC Sport.
  28. (2000-12-10). "Clockwatch: Coventry 1–0 Leicester". BBC Sport.
  29. (1999-11-27). "Heskey sinks Sky Blues". BBC Sport.
  30. (2001-04-05). "Head to head: Leicester v Coventry". BBC Sport.
  31. The 22 clubs of the [[Football League First Division]] broke away to form the [[Premier League]] in 1992; with the remaining divisions of the [[Football League]] renumbered accordingly.
  32. "Head-to-Head – Leicester City FC". Foxes-Mad.

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