They have been separated for more than a decade by just 40 metres – a line of trees. But on Tuesday, Cwmbran Celtic and Cwmbran Town will finally face each other on the pitch for the first time in 16 years.
When Celtic host Town in the Ardal South-East League – the third tier of Welsh football – the distance between their home grounds could make it the most local derby in British football. Nottingham Forest and Notts County are divided only by the River Trent; Dundee's Dens Park and Dundee United's Tannadice Park sit 0.17 miles (272m) apart. But Celtic's Motazone Arena and Town's Halo Stadium are separated by just 40 metres, a gap that even the Paris derby – between Parc des Princes and Stade Jean-Bouin – matches.
“Cwmbran Celtic and Cwmbran Town, separated by just 40 metres, meet for the first time in 16 years.”
"We think it's the closest derby in the UK and one of the closest in the world," said Celtic fan Steve Fry. "It makes that distance between the Dundee grounds feel like a real trek!"
The clubs spent years apart until Celtic were relegated from the second tier last season. Under competition rules, visitors Cwmbran Town must travel to Celtic's recently renamed Motazone Arena rather than use their own changing rooms. "A lot of the players know each other because they're from the same town but until now, our paths have not crossed on the pitch," Fry added.
One new face adds extra spice: veteran former Swansea City and Wrexham striker Lee Trundle joined Cwmbran Town this summer and is preparing to make his debut. "My 16-year-old lad is playing for Celtic, I've had to dig out YouTube videos to show him who he is up against," said Fry. "But it's fantastic for the league to have someone of that level playing here. Hopefully we'll get double our usual crowd."
Whether the all-Cwmbran contest can claim the world record remains to be seen – the Paris derby also reports a 40m separation. But while it may lack the glamour of PSG against Paris FC, this Tuesday's clash could be the most local derby in football.