Memries of Millwall

[grafikhaus]

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It’s fair to say that our 48 League, 2 League Cup and two FA Cup meetings with the Lions have done little to get the pulses racing.

Recent players who have played for both United and Millwall (can you tell I’m struggling here?) include Darius Henderson, Paul Ifill, Brian Howard, Barry Hayles and…I’m sure there are others.

Recent-ish results

The last time we met, the Blades beat The Lions 2-0 on Tuesday 28th March, 2017 at Bramall Lane. With just seven games left, The Blades were top of the table and Millwall would eventually win the Division One play-offs and join United in The Championship – despite finishing 27 points behind us:

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In the corresponding fixture at The Den earlier in the 2016-17 season, United lost 1-2 after a late, disputed penalty gave Millwall all three points:

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This was the fourth match of the season in which United had won just one point out of twelve and we sat rock-bottom of Division One. In his post-match interview, Chris Wilder looked under pressure, but good times were just around the corner…

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(the comments on this YouTube clip are well worth re-visiting!)

On 24th October, 2015 and wearing our ‘125th Anniversary’ kit, United lost 1-2 at home to Millwall:

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After this game, we were in 5th place in Division One, but this poor Nigel Adkins team would ultimately finish eleventh.

This miserable season would continue with a 0-1 defeat at The Den on 19th March, 2016:

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[grafikhaus]

The fifth game of the 2002/03 ‘Triple Assault’ season, saw The Blades beat The Lions 3-1 at Bramall Lane. The crowd at this second-tier game was just 13,024.

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In 1982-83 United won 2-1 at The Den on March 12, 1983. Our scorers in this Third Division encounter were Trusson and an own goal by Cusack. The crowd for this fixture was just 4,056 and Ian Porterfield’s Blades ended the season in 11th place.

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On 24th February 1979, United lost 0-2 at Bramall Lane in the old Second Division and would end this 1978/79 season by being relegated to the Third Division. Our team that day was: 1. Steve Conroy 2. Cliff Calvert 3. Mick Speight 4. Colin Franks 5. John MacPhail 6. John Matthews 7.PT Anderson 8. TE Smith 9. Simon Stainrod 10. Alex Sabella 11. Gary Hamson

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United legend Trevor Hockey scored his very first goal for the Blades against Millwall in a 2-0 win on 13 April, 1971 and played a large part in ensuring that United were promoted that year.

Full list

To date, our League results against Millwall read:

Home: P: 24 W: 12 D: 5 L: 7 F: 40 A: 29

Away: P: 24 W: 8 D: 3 L: 13 F: 24 A: 32

 

[Pollingtonblade]

You say last seasons penalty was ‘disputed ‘ I thought JOC punched the ball?

 

[Silent Blade]

United legend Trevor Hockey scored his very first goal for the Blades against Millwall in a 2-0 win on 13 April, 1971 and played a large part in ensuring that United were promoted that year.

For about 80 minutes, the Blades couldnt break the deadlock against a stubborn Millwall defence. Keeper Bryan King held a cross from a corner and was about to boot the ball upfield, the players were running back to their positions except for Hockey who ran and dived towards the keeper, used his hands to knock the ball off King's hands and slotted the ball into the net. Some in the crowd laughed at the horseplay for a second or two before realising that the ref actually awarded the goal to stand. I couldnt understand what was going on as my dad pulled me up from the seat to cheer the goal and then I saw the ref pointing towards the centre spot despite furious Millwall players surrounding him. The photo below is Hockey being congratulated by Dearden, TC and Woody

 

[Silent Blade]

12th September 1970. At the time the only away matches I went to were Leicester in March 1970, Rotherham (pre-season friendly) and Derby (Watney Cup semi final). My dad never thought about taking me to Millwall that day. My Wendy supporting twin uncles decided to take me to S6 to watch Wendy play QPR. I was sat in the South Stand with one eye on the scoreboard in front of the North Stand as SWFC update the score for Blades match every 15 minutes. It was 0-0 on the scoreboard for most of the first half but late in the half it was A-A which confused me and I asked my twin uncles what A-A stood for. It was a lovely hot day in S6 and they were surprised too. They then said "I think the match has been abandoned!". I had no idea what abandoned meant. On reading the Green Un that evening my dad told me that our match got abandoned because the pitch got waterlogged after torrential rain. The match was re-arranged for a few days later (wouldnt have happened nowadays) and we won 2-1 with goals from Colquhoun and Currie

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

I once went to a Tuesday evening game, must have been early 90’s and then drove back to Eastbourne in 3 hours 15 minutes. Didn’t change gear between Sheffield and a roundabout in Lewis, just after Brighton.
Really interesting fact that I thought I would share

 

[Carlton Blade]

I remember a home game when they had randomly signed two current Russian internationals. Yuran and Kulkov according to Google (I sort of remember Yuran). We won 2-0 on a Tuesday night.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

12th September 1970. At the time the only away matches I went to were Leicester in March 1970, Rotherham (pre-season friendly) and Derby (Watney Cup semi final). My dad never thought about taking me to Millwall that day. My Wendy supporting twin uncles decided to take me to S6 to watch Wendy play QPR. I was sat in the South Stand with one eye on the scoreboard in front of the North Stand as SWFC update the score for Blades match every 15 minutes. It was 0-0 on the scoreboard for most of the first half but late in the half it was A-A which confused me and I asked my twin uncles what A-A stood for. It was a lovely hot day in S6 and they were surprised too. They then said "I think the match has been abandoned!". I had no idea what abandoned meant. On reading the Green Un that evening my dad told me that our match got abandoned because the pitch got waterlogged after torrential rain. The match was re-arranged for a few days later (wouldnt have happened nowadays) and we won 2-1 with goals from Colquhoun and Currie

In fairly recent times (Jan 03) remember the Pompey away game (1st v 3rd) being surprisingly rearranged for the following Monday evening after being postponed on the Saturday. Always had that being the middle game of what was one of the best 10 days of being a Blade ... beat Liverpool at home in the League Cup semi first leg, beat Pompey at their spot, then hammered the pigs at the Lane on the Friday night

As for Millwall most memorable memries are of an off pitch nature running throughout the 80s.

 

[Cheets]

Once in the 80s we were losing 1-0 at the Lane. The Millwall keeper had an absolute blinder and saved everything we threw at him. Then in the dying minutes he made an absolute howler and we ended up scoring two late goals and winning 2-1. The Kop serenaded the hapless keeper with "WHO'S THE WANKER IN THE NET?"

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Saturday 2nd December 2017 will be the one to remember.

 

[Gimli]

When Muscat got sent off for whacking Kenny in the tunnel - paddy got binned too and jags went in net - Geary bagged the winner an Warnock went to all their players at the end 'you deserve that for Muscat!'
In 2004 I think

 

[grafikhaus]

You say last seasons penalty was ‘disputed ‘ I thought JOC punched the ball?

He did, but some strikers are getting very clever at giving a defender a nudge, knocking them off balance as they jump to reach the cross. I wouldn't have given it!

 

[Revolution]

Alan Young played the last 10 minutes of the 1982-3 away game in goal. He conceded one goal but we hung on to win 2-1.

March 1996 - lost 1-0. Shocking United performance, but I don't think we lost again that season, from memory.

October 2003 - lost 2-0. Shocking United performance again. Dennis Wise's 1st game in charge. Millwall have 2 men sent off in the last 5 minutes, including Wise himself after a shocking 2 footed challenge on (I think) Chris Armstrong. After the game we enter the Executive lounge as guests of Millwall fan work colleagues of mine. We are ejected en masse as Revolution Snr is in violation of the no jeans dress code. After negotiation, we are put in the players' lounge instead! No United players - Warnock apparently yelling at them in the changing rooms. Revolution Snr gets to talk to Derek Possee and also manages to insult Dennis Wise. Good times.

November 2010 - a rare victory in the relegation season, thanks to Andy Reid.

As for the home games, the 1-3 defeat in October 1985 had the most toxic atmosphere I've ever experienced at any Blades home game.

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

Jody, Jody....F*****g serves you right for Muscat that.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Once in the 80s we were losing 1-0 at the Lane. The Millwall keeper had an absolute blinder and saved everything we threw at him. Then in the dying minutes he made an absolute howler and we ended up scoring two late goals and winning 2-1. The Kop serenaded the hapless keeper with "WHO'S THE WANKER IN THE NET?"

I remember that game. A young Teddy Sheringham had put them one up and we couldn't seem to score. Then with about 5 minutes to go, I think it was Beagrie with a speculative effort that bounced right in front of the keeper and it squirmed through his legs and into the net. A bit like that one that Taibi conceded for Man Utd. Was it Steve Foley that scored the winner with a couple of minutes left?

 

[bladestrivia]

1980 i was 14 years old fri night brother in law rang ive booked us on the sportsmans coach for tomorrow ,how things have changed Pedro Verde scored in a 1 1 draw .very scarey place under that bridge and on to the grass bank . we did the sheffield united sheffield united sheffield united for a good 15 mins and they were throwing allsorts at us 2nd time i went we had all that away end behind the goal pretty sure we won but carnt remember the score ,it was the day the hq branch coaches were haughes of sheffield and had all there windows put through sportsmens coaches were all national ,never been to the new den . 3 other x millwall and united players not mentioned Tony Towner Peter Anderson and Nicky fuckin Jons

 

[Jon Slinn]

At the Old Den back in the Day, Winter time, cold and Dank. Went on the train and got pummeled at cards, floating 5's and two's are riding. BOLLOXS.

so we got a so called police escort went under a bridge into a mud bath of a so called carpark. and went into a corner section of the ground. Thank fook for the railing's. it was like being at the zoo at feeding time.
So good old Cliff Calvert scored after about 10 minutes. Got all the money i lost and a few quid more. coins reigning over the fence also a piece of 4x4 found its way into the ground at eventually thrown at the Blades that had gone down to see our beloved red n White wizards.

Back on Saturday, 1st time at the New Den

Happy Days.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

1980 i was 14 years old fri night brother in law rang ive booked us on the sportsmans coach for tomorrow ,how things have changed Pedro Verde scored in a 1 1 draw .very scarey place under that bridge and on to the grass bank . we did the sheffield united sheffield united sheffield united for a good 15 mins and they were throwing allsorts at us 2nd time i went we had all that away end behind the goal pretty sure we won but carnt remember the score ,it was the day the hq branch coaches were haughes of sheffield and had all there windows put through sportsmens coaches were all national ,never been to the new den . 3 other x millwall and united players not mentioned Tony Towner Peter Anderson and Nicky fuckin Jons

I think I'm right in saying that was Pedro Verde's league debut for United, about 9 months after signing for us! As we already had Sabella and Lenoard de Goey, Verde couldn't get in due to the two foreigner's rule. Think Verde also scored a week later, a last minute winner against Rotherham at the Lane.

The one where Hagues coaches got battered was the one in 83/84 promotion season, October time if i remember correctly. And I think i'm right in saying this was also the last time United had a train special to the capital for a league game. By all accounts the train got lost and United fans on that mode of transport never got to the game.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Think I saw the goal machine that was Richard Cadette make his debut down there

 

[JJ Sefton]

Two memories.

One was a 2-1 win in about 2004-2005. Jags went in goal, Geary scored the winner. I remember the half time penalty shootout between our kids and theirs. Some Unitedite, must have been around 10, scored the winning penalty and ran over in front of their mob pointing to his name on his shirt. Great stuff. Got slaughtered celebrating in The Harp.

The other was a 4-0 spanking during our promotion season. We were singing "40 cunts, sat in a stand" at their lot. When the third went in they started filing out, some bloke jumped up and started singing "20 cunts, sat in a stand". Apparently some bird in a pink jumper got her norks out, but I missed that.

 

[Honest Blade]

First time poster long time lurker here.
I went with my mum and dad to the old den on a day out from school (they asked me what I would like to do on a day out in London, probably thinking Natural History Museum or something ... I had other ideas) and witnessed a classic Alan Woodward thunderbolt from about 40 yards out to win the game. I actually have a particularly vivid memory of the goal and can still replay it in my mind at will. With the help of a bit of research I think it must have been November 1976. It felt like I was the only Blades fan in the ground but surely that can’t have been the case? Funny that no one else seems to have mentioned that particular game though. I remember us walking to the ground and seeing a piece of fresh graffiti in fresh blood red paint reading “SUFC you’re dead!”. My mum and dad were not football fans but they never forgot the experience!

 

[COME BACK CHED]

First time poster long time lurker here.
I went with my mum and dad to the old den on a day out from school (they asked me what I would like to do on a day out in London, probably thinking Natural History Museum or something ... I had other ideas) and witnessed a classic Alan Woodward thunderbolt from about 40 yards out to win the game. I actually have a particularly vivid memory of the goal and can still replay it in my mind at will. With the help of a bit of research I think it must have been November 1976. It felt like I was the only Blades fan in the ground but surely that can’t have been the case? Funny that no one else seems to have mentioned that particular game though. I remember us walking to the ground and seeing a piece of fresh graffiti in fresh blood red paint reading “SUFC you’re dead!”. My mum and dad were not football fans but they never forgot the experience!

You should have written the word Hard after the SUFC you're dead , that would have bambozeld the ones that could read .

 

[Honest Blade]

Also now I think of it I’m not sure the apostrophe was in the right place ...
Whenever the subject of Woody came up in later years my dad would recall that match and would inevitably end by commenting “Woody! Thighs like tree trunks!”
It was a helluva goal

 

[1973Blade]

I remember the 1-0 home defeat to Millwall in April 2005. A terrible end to a disappointing season and fans were chanting for Warnock to go. The rest is history and an example of whyyou need to be patient with managers!

 

[I should coco]

The rest is history and an example of whyyou need to be patient with managers!

Yup, we should never have sacked Weir.

Once his 'play it out really slowly from the back' system took hold we'd have started storming up the leagues. We might even be back in the Unibond Evostick Northern Permier Sunday League by now.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Yup, we should never have sacked Weir.

Once his 'play it out really slowly from the back' system took hold we'd have started storming up the leagues. We might even be back in the Unibond Evostick Northern Permier Sunday League by now.

The best thing about Weir was his "rabbit in the headlights" stance on the touch line, wondering if someone had maliciously ripped another couple of pages out of his coaching manual.

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

First time poster long time lurker here.
I went with my mum and dad to the old den on a day out from school (they asked me what I would like to do on a day out in London, probably thinking Natural History Museum or something ... I had other ideas) and witnessed a classic Alan Woodward thunderbolt from about 40 yards out to win the game. I actually have a particularly vivid memory of the goal and can still replay it in my mind at will. With the help of a bit of research I think it must have been November 1976. It felt like I was the only Blades fan in the ground but surely that can’t have been the case? Funny that no one else seems to have mentioned that particular game though. I remember us walking to the ground and seeing a piece of fresh graffiti in fresh blood red paint reading “SUFC you’re dead!”. My mum and dad were not football fans but they never forgot the experience!

Although I wasn’t there that day I do remember it as it was a late result coming through on Grandstand. All the other final scores were in when they went back to division two to confirm a one nil win for The Blades, Woodward scoring the goal. Strange how some odd things stick in your memory, very random!

 

[CarlingBlade]

Beating Millwall 1-0 away was probably the highlight of a poor season:

 

[Honest Blade]

Although I wasn’t there that day I do remember it as it was a late result coming through on Grandstand. All the other final scores were in when they went back to division two to confirm a one nil win for The Blades, Woodward scoring the goal. Strange how some odd things stick in your memory, very random!

Good to know that someone else remembers it. I just looked it up in Denis Clarebrough's book, it was on 27 Nov 1976 and the attendance was 9,037.

 

[biking blade]

Beating Millwall 1-0 away was probably the highlight of a poor season:

Was hoping someone would post that video. It's the only time I've ever seem myself on a highlights show. It was an absolute mugging by the blades if I recall correctly. What a left foot the boy had.