Memries of Millwall

[Deleted member 875]

2002-03 season. Shred's coach pulling up at a boozer in the middle of the scruffiest and shadiest South London estate. Barman opens up and in a thick Irish accent said "all I've got is John Smiths or Bitter.

This will be my 7th or 8th trip to Millwall. It is the away game that always seems to fall on my long weekend off work, and I'm looking forwards to a few beers in Borough Market

 

[1980]

One of my memories of watching Millwall v Sheffield United was a game at Bramall Lane from 2001-02.

Our hooligans had been very active in that period, especially the 'youth', 1999 to 2002, begining with the huge turn out at Man City and ending with the infamous riot v Birmingham City in the 2002 play-offs.

Anyway, the BBC were very active around that period too - I know, as lived off of London Road at the time. When we played you it was a Tuesday night in March and we brought up 621 fans. Modest, but I'd say over half were our hooligans.

It was a great game, we took the lead through Ifill, who joined you lot a few later, it may have been this game that caught your scouts' eye, as he played a blinder that night. But, you lot equalised, before we got a deserved second and looked to be going back to SE London with all 3 points. Yet, Ndlovu popped up with two quick fire goals in injury time to win it.

You lot went mad, it was a lively atmosphere all night, and even tho it was a modest (by your standards now) 16,000 gate, the Lane was rocking that night.

As we stepped outside we could hear 'BBC BBC BBC' coming and in a flash it kicked off and the police couldn't control it, as it was a hundreds on each side. In the melee was this poor young Blade, about 8. I swooped him up, as he was rooted to the spot in fear. And got him to the side of the ground away from the aggro & he spotted his dad who was relived to find him. He thanked me and I was on my way.

As said, at the time I lived in Sheffield and so started walking home. However, my girlfriend phoned as I was passing a takeaway where some Sheffield United fans were hanging around, as she was worried having heard all the sirens - these lads heard my accent & me talking about leaving the game and jumped me. Luckily it was only a few bruises and a ripped top!

 

[TTMeysh]

I was at the 1994 game at the New Den. I can't remember anything about the game but have very vivid memories of being caught up in the fighting between Blades at the end - pro and anti-Bassett factions, some nasty scuffles on a steeply raked upper tier of the stand.

That was the first time I'd seen United fans turn on each other, not a pleasant thing to see.

 

[JJ Sefton]

I was at the 1994 game at the New Den. I can't remember anything about the game but have very vivid memories of being caught up in the fighting between Blades at the end - pro and anti-Bassett factions, some nasty scuffles on a steeply raked upper tier of the stand.

That was the first time I'd seen United fans turn on each other, not a pleasant thing to see.

I remember the same at Southend around that time.

 

[DazBlade88]

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.

Those two trips were brilliant. You'd think we'd enjoy the 4-0 more but the 2-1 was an immense day. I'll always remember the celebration from Geary's screamer, absolute pandemonium.

 

[S41blade]

Long time lurker first time poster but felt compelled to as the young lad taking the penalties and going mad was my brother

 

[United Aren't Back.]

I see Paul Garner in a photo from 1983 early in the thread. Garner got 7 goals for United. I do not remember any now.

 

[United Aren't Back.]

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

Lewes

 

[United Aren't Back.]

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.

What did you say to Wise?

 

[Melbourne Blade]

I've seen us a few times at Millwall as lived 2 train stops away in East Dulwich when in London. We lost every game from memory.

Anyone remember the game (I think we lost) when Wise was player manager and got sent off within 5 minutes of coming on?

 

[Revolution]

I've seen us a few times at Millwall as lived 2 train stops away in East Dulwich when in London. We lost every game from memory.

Anyone remember the game (I think we lost) when Wise was player manager and got sent off within 5 minutes of coming on?

See my post on the previous page.

 

[Camden Blade]

The first time I went to Millwall was the Old Den around 1980. We won 4.1. I was 13 or 14. Steve Neville made his debut and scored a hat trick. Lots of coach windows put through but not the one I was in. Coins, a plank of wood, continuous stream of various objects lobbed over the gap to our corner. Maybe 1000, 1500 Blades. At halftime their mob made an effort to get around the back and break into our section. The South London Old Bill didn't mess about. I remember 'The British Bulldog' been sold outside the ground. Glad I had one experience of visiting the infamous Old Den. All my other visits have been to the New Den.

 

[Silent Blade]

I see Paul Garner in a photo from 1983 early in the thread. Garner got 7 goals for United. I do not remember any now.

Scored equaliser against Boro on Boxing Day 1975, scored the winner against Newcastle on Boxing Day 1978. Scored the second goal against Charlton in 1981 (see below) . I do not remember the other 4 goals he scored.

 

[BlairBlade]

About 40 odd years ago, was living in Southwark, popped down to the ‘old’ Den.
Only had a couple of £20 notes on me.
Tried to buy a ticket at the turnstiles which proved unsuccessful as none had any change, back outside the ground I was approached by a couple of local guys with tickets but neither had change either. Then decided to try further around the ground only to be passed by one of United’s coaches, presumably a supporter’s one, missing every window. Quite fortunate really as I was trying to get in their away end.
Another occasion went to the ‘old’ Den with some Millwall supporting mates who were well-known at their home end. Stood behind the goal with them and never breathed a word. Quite menacing and loud. They did not take kindly to any of our players, although ‘Budgie’ got a pretty easy ride compared with everyone else.

 

[BazWainwright]

Scored equaliser against Boro on Boxing Day 1975, scored the winner against Newcastle on Boxing Day 1978. Scored the second goal against Charlton in 1981 (see below) . I do not remember the other 4 goals he scored.

1. That pitch. 'Fast, attacking football.'

2. Brian Moore: "Well, sadly for Charlton, they couldn't score a few more against the northern monkeys and us lot in Lahndan feel a bit better about ourselves, eh? Next up, half an hour on Spurs, West Ham, Arsenal, Leyton Orient, Brentford and Chelsea, but after the adverts we are back at White Hart Lane for more lingering looks at Glenn Hoddle ..."