Get ready for return of the Vale of Clwyd derby – eight days to go!

This article covers Tier 2 league matches only between Denbigh Town and Ruthin Town since 1996/97

One of the most popular derbies on the North Wales football scene makes a return on Boxing Day after a five-year absence.

Denbigh Town and Ruthin Town will meet at Tier 2 Cymru North level for the first time since 2018-19 on December 26, 2023.

The rivals have clashed on 24 occasions in Tier 2 since Denbigh were promoted to the former Cymru Alliance for the first time in 1996/97.

Ruthin currently lead by 10 wins to eight, with six draws.

In the early days, Denbigh were very much on top, winning their first five Cymru Alliance games against Ruthin and drawing a sixth.

Ruthin took control from 1999-2000 onwards, winning five of the next six until Denbigh were relegated in 2001-02.

There was a five-year break until 2007-08, when Denbigh were promoted back up to the Cymru Alliance.

Six meetings over the next three seasons brought four draws and two narrow Ruthin wins.

In 2009-10, Denbigh lost Tier 2 status again, but when they returned in 2014-15, this time Ruthin had dropped out of the Cymru Alliance after a 21-season stay.

Ruthin earned promotion back to Tier 2 in 2016-17 and Vale of Clwyd derby rivalries were renewed for another three seasons. This time Ruthin won 3 and Denbigh 2 with 1 draw.

Denbigh went down to Tier 3 at the end of 2018-19. In 2019-20, Ruthin became part of the newly-named Cymru North and has remained there since.

Denbigh rejoined them this season.

That brings us to the present day….

DENBIGH TOWN v RUTHIN TOWN – CYMRU ALLIANCE/NORTH HEAD-TO-HEAD

1996/97
Aug 29, 1996: Denbigh Town 1 Ruthin Town 0
Oct 19, 1996: Ruthin Town 0 Denbigh Town 1
1997/98
Sep 3, 1997: Ruthin Town 0 Denbigh Town 2
Apr 8, 1998: Denbigh Town 3 Ruthin Town 2
1998/99
Oct 3, 1998: Denbigh Town 2 Ruthin Town 0
Apr 24, 1999: Ruthin Town 1 Denbigh Town 1
1999-2000
Ruthin Town 3 Denbigh Town 0; Denbigh Town 0 Ruthin Town 4
2000-01
Denbigh Town 2 Ruthin Town 0; Ruthin Town 4 Denbigh Town 2
2001-02
Ruthin Town 2 Denbigh Town 1; Denbigh Town 0 Ruthin Town 2

Denbigh Town relegated end of 2001-02
Denbigh Town rejoined Cymru Alliance 2007-08

2007-08
Denbigh Town 1 Ruthin Town 1; Ruthin Town 2 Denbigh Town 2
2008-09
Ruthin Town 0 Denbigh Town 0; Denbigh Town 0 Ruthin Town 1
2009-10
Ruthin Town 1 Denbigh Town 0; Denbigh Town 2 Ruthin Town 2

Denbigh Town relegated to Welsh Alliance end of 2009-10
Ruthin Town relegated to Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) end of 2013-14
Denbigh Town returned to Cymru Alliance 2014-15 to 2018-19
Ruthin Town rejoined Cymru Alliance 2016-17

2016-17
Denbigh Town 2 Ruthin Town 1; Ruthin Town 1 Denbigh Town 1
2017-18
Denbigh Town 1 Ruthin Town 2; Ruthin Town 3 Denbigh Town 1
2018-19
Denbigh Town 3 Ruthin Town 0; Ruthin Town 2 Denbigh Town 1

Denbigh Town relegated to Welsh Alliance 2019/20
Ruthin Town joined newly-named Cymru North 2019/20
Denbigh Town joined new Ardal North West 2021-22 to 2022-23 (2020-21 season cancelled)
Denbigh Town promoted to Cymru North 2023-24