A Classic English Atmosphere: The East Anglian Derby

Images by Diego Crespo

When Spanish photographer Diego Crespo travelled from Spain to watch the East Anglian Derby at Portman Road, he arrived to find a city painted blue. Ipswich Town were hosting Norwich City — a fixture heavy with history — and this time, it would end in jubilation. The Tractor Boys won 3–1, their first derby victory in sixteen years.

For Crespo, it was his first-ever English derby, and he was struck by the scene that unfolded before him.

“A classic English atmosphere. Pure essence. Seeing so many people on the streets dressed in blue on the way to the stadium is beautiful. And during the derby match, it’s always nerve-wracking. I think the result was perfect for seeing people less nervous in the final minutes and celebrating.”

As the match built towards its conclusion, the crowd’s tension slowly gave way to joy — a release years in the making. From his place among the fans, Crespo captured the emotion, the movement, the collective sigh of relief that followed the final whistle.

It was a completely new experience for him.

“It’s the first derby I’ve seen in England. I hope to see more this year so I can better compare it with other English derbies. Obviously, it’s very different from the derbies I’ve seen in Spain or Italy. I like the atmosphere surrounding a match in England, and a derby is like a big event to be with family and friends.”

Crespo has photographed football culture across Europe — from Spain’s vibrant terraces to Italy’s theatrical tifos — but he says there’s something distinct about the English game. The East Anglian Derby, with its mix of anticipation and nostalgia, gave him a taste of what English football means to local communities.

And Portman Road left an impression.

“The stadium looks incredible; it’s what we in Spain imagine when we talk about an English stadium. The stands being close to the grass is always good. The location is also great; it’s a stadium connected to the city that you can visit every day, not like those stadiums on the outskirts that you only go to every two weeks and look commercial.”

As Ipswich supporters spilt into the streets after the final whistle, singing, smiling, wrapped in blue and white, Crespo’s camera told the story better than words could. A long wait was over, and a visiting photographer had witnessed English football in its truest form: passionate, local, and deeply human.