Why are Portsmouth residents known to Southampton residents as Skates?

Question

Why are Portsmouth residents known to Southampton residents as Skates?

Answer 1

Portsmouth is  a Naval town and sailors were known as Skates.

Royal Navy sailors who were at sea for months on end would often use skate fish to relieve their sexual frustrations (the mouth of the skate is said to be even better than warm liver). According to local myth, Portsmouth women would fend off the advances of sailors with the phrase 'I ain't no skate-bait, mate.'

Answer 2

Skate is a nickname for sailor. Scummer is a nickname for someone from Southampton. Thank goodness the two football teams are in different leagues, otherwise all h**l breaks out.