Millwall Football Club: Introduction

Millwall Football Club is a professional football team based in Bermondsey, South East London, England. The club is famous for its passionate fan base, rich history, and its strong working-class roots. Millwall currently plays football in the English Championship.

The staff at the Fanbase hope the club does well and the supporters enjoy success. So, here’s an in-depth look at Millwall FC:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Founding and Early History

• Founded: Millwall was originally founded in 1885 as Millwall Rovers by workers of J.T. Morton, a canning and preserve factory on the Isle of Dogs in East London.
• Early Names: The club initially had the name Millwall Rovers before changing to Millwall Athletic in 1889. Indeed, that’s when they joined the Southern League. They finally settled on the name Millwall Football Club in 1920.
• Nicknames: The primary nickname of Millwall is “The Lions.” This nickname emerged in 1900 when the club adopted a lion as its emblem.

Millwall Football Club: Stadium

• The Den: The club’s first ground was located on East Ferry Road, but they have moved several times throughout their history. In 1910, Millwall moved to The Den, in New Cross, South London, which became one of the most famous and intimidating grounds in English football.
• The New Den: In 1993, Millwall moved to a new stadium, still called The Den (but often referred to as “The New Den”), located nearby in Bermondsey. The stadium has a capacity of around 20,000.

Colours and Crest

• Colours: Millwall’s traditional kit colours are dark blue and white. The club’s home kit typically features a blue shirt, white shorts, and blue socks.
• Crest: The club’s crest features a lion, symbolizing strength and pride, which aligns with their nickname “The Lions.”

Millwall Football Club: League History

• Southern League Success: In its early years, Millwall enjoyed success in the Southern League. Moreover, they won the title in 1895 and 1896.
• Football League: Millwall joined the Football League in 1920, becoming a member of the newly formed Third Division.
• Top Flight: Millwall has spent the majority of its history in the lower divisions of English football. However, the club enjoyed a brief stint in the top tier, the First Division (now the Premier League), during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons, their highest achievement to date.
• Recent Years: In recent decades, Millwall has fluctuated between the Championship (second tier) and League One (third tier). The club has established itself as a solid Championship side in recent years. The club is also famous for its competitive and often physical style of play.

Millwall has not won honours in the top-flight, however, in the lower leagues, they have been champions. They have won the leagues they compete in many times and have been runner-up on many occasions.

Perhaps Millwall supporters fight for honours differently than the other football fans!

Notable Achievements

• FA Cup Final: Millwall reached the FA Cup Final in 2004, an impressive achievement for a lower-league side. They lost 3-0 to Manchester United but secured a place in the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) because United had already qualified for the Champions League.
• Promotions: The club has achieved several promotions throughout its history, with the most notable being their promotion to the First Division in 1988 and their return to the Championship in 2010 and 2017.

Millwall Football Club: Rivalries

• West Ham United: Millwall’s most intense and infamous rivalry is with West Ham United. This rivalry is one of the fiercest in English football, often marred by violence and hooliganism. The rivalry dates back to the early 20th century and is deeply rooted in the socio-economic differences between the clubs’ supporters.
• Other Rivals: Millwall also has rivalries with other London clubs, including Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic, and Leeds United, though none are as intense as the West Ham rivalry.

Supporters

• Reputation: Millwall supporters are famous for their passionate, loyal, and sometimes volatile support. The chant “No one likes us, we don’t care” is emblematic of their defiant attitude.
• Hooliganism: The club’s fans have historically been associated with football hooliganism, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Although the situation has improved significantly, the club’s reputation for having a “hardcore” fanbase remains.
• Community Engagement: Despite this, Millwall is deeply embedded in its local community, with the club engaging in various community and charity projects, particularly focused on youth development and social inclusion.

Management and Ownership

• Recent Managers: Over the years, Millwall has seen several managers come and go. Notable managers include Kenny Jackett, who led the team to the Championship, and Gary Rowett, who has helped solidify Millwall as a competitive side in the second tier.
• Ownership: The club has seen various changes in ownership throughout its history. As of recent years, American businessman John Berylson has been the club’s chairman, having invested significantly in the club’s development both on and off the pitch.

Millwall Football Club in Popular Culture

• Films and TV: Millwall has been featured in various films, documentaries, and TV shows, often focusing on the club’s tough reputation and the intense loyalty of its fans. The 2004 film “The Football Factory,” for example, includes references to Millwall fans.
• Books: The club and its culture have been the subject of several books, including “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care,” which delves into the history and myths surrounding the club’s supporters.

Challenges and Aspirations

• On-Field Aspirations: Millwall aims to establish itself as a consistent contender for promotion to the Premier League. While financial limitations compared to bigger clubs have been a challenge, their resilient and determined approach remains a cornerstone of their strategy.
• Off-Field Issues: The club has faced challenges related to its reputation, fan behaviour, and financial stability, but has made significant strides in improving its image and community relations in recent years.

Millwall Football Club remains a proud and defiant institution in English football, with a unique identity that resonates strongly with its supporters. Despite not being one of the giants of English football, Millwall’s history, culture, and passionate following make it a club with a distinct and enduring legacy.

Millwall Football Club Promotion

The Football Fan Base allows football supporters the chance to promote their favourite team. If you support Millwall, then here’s your chance to propel the club into the big time Indeed, the banter at the Fanbase would not be the same without the passion of Millwall supporters.

You may reply to the football posts or even create your very own on the massive soccer blogs.

Our Football Forum is the biggest and best of its type on the internet and wouldn’t be the same without Millwall supporters. So, don’t delay and have your say! The Football Fan Base is on your side and as you know, Millwall FC is the greatest team the world has ever seen, right?

The Millwall Fans Forum is waiting here for you on our message boards, so pop over now.

** Information updated on September 2, 2024.