Memories of Millwall

[Friendsoffulham]

Memories of Millwall

As we gear up for Wednesdays game v Millwall, what memories do you have of visiting the Old and New Den?

Some see this as quite a hostile fixture, as they've quite a reputation at home, however, Fulham don't really have any history with them over the years.

Saying that, some of you must have some funny stories about Millwall, not just about their fans, but, maybe about certain games, players, their ground, or even pubs you've drunk in, so give us your Millwall memories below.

#FFC #FULHAMFC #MILFUL #FOF



The New Den



The Old Den

[RaySmith]

I remember going to a  Second Division game at the Old Den, and it was called of at the last minute for a 'frozen pitch' - you could walk into the ground and look at the pitch, which looked perfect - not to say that it couldn't have been too hard.

Many were muttering that there something dodgy about it.

I've seen Fulham there a few times, but can't remember much about the actual games.

I've worked with a few Millwall fans back in the day, when i worked for Lambeth Council, and they were all right, but often exaggerated their reputation for being hard, or were proud of it anyway -
'no-one likes us, we don't care.'

The club has had its struggles to survive in recent years against developers, and i have sympathy for it - they are a genuine  community based club, a lot like Fulham, and have worked hard to clean up their act, though i don't think you'll ever get  away from that hardman docker image, even though the dockers have long gone, but i think most of their fans aren't out to cause trouble, but the rep follows them.

[Fulham33]

Harry Cripps. Need I say more?

[SP]

Unless I'm mistaken, I don't recall any segregation on our first trips to the Old Den in the 70s.  Then, presumably after it was introduced, we were unknowingly standing in the middle of the popular home terrace. About 20 minutes before kick-off, a police officer approached Dad & whispered in his ear asking if we were FFC fans. We were then escorted out to another part of the ground for our own safety.  I'm not sure it was actually safe anywhere back then as the large metal gates weren't locked.

[Stoneleigh Loyalist]

In the days of the Old Den and mixed standing crowds in the 70s I went with my father and stood in the loosely packed crowd. Having decided not to loudly show our loyalty I managed until Fulham's second goal when I politely clapped .
I suddenly became aware of a swinging blow from behind crashing me on the forehead  and knocking me forward..
I ignored his invitation to take him on choosing to continue to watch the game with a throbbing head.until the final fifteen minutes when we made a slow Morecombe and Wise sideways shuffle towards the exit. By the bruise mark he must have had a large ring and despite my innocence from that moment my boss would not believe that I was not a football hooligan!

[Fulham33]

1st ever Sunday game 1974. I was there aged 19.

[fcfulham55]

My best memory was Kalas taking on almost the entire millwall team after we knocked the ball around for a while with the "olays"

He lays it off to Mitro, whom bangs it in the top corner.

Best atmosphere at an away game I've been to in years (both home and away)  and including prem, one of the best away games I've ever been to.

[Dr Know]

1st ever Sunday game 1974. I was there aged 19
League game yes , but four fa cup ties were played the previous Sunday . I was at the game aged 17 . I'm not sure of the date of this game , might have been 27th December 1971 , only a couple of turnstiles were open  and so many people were waiting to get in so fans of both clubs decided to bunk in by climbing over a big set of gates , my uncle , who I went with went first and I followed , anyone on here remember this  ? Ted

[mrmicawbers]

Remember going to the Old Den sitting in the seats getting cut throat threats from the side terraces.Not much to shout about as we lost 3 Nil.Do remember getting a penalty and realising there was quite a few of us there.Missed of course.Must have been late 70s I would guess.

[Jim©]

Remember going about 20 odd years ago when I'm sure some Millwall "lad" ran onto the pitch to confront Rufus near the end of the game.
Same day nearly got our heads kicked in walking back to the car by about 20 Danny Dyer lookalikes. Always thought it's a crap club for many reasons.

[Carborundum]

When I first moved to London the old Den was walking distance.  Four or five times a season, I'd find myself with a spare afternoon and a need to watch football.  Stood in the home terrace and found the people fine, though I kept myself to myself and had no allegiance to the away team.  Blended in really, because it seemed that it's normal for some Millwall fans to be too hard to celebrate a goal with any great joy.

But the really feral stuff was going on outside the ground behind the away supporters end.  People would climb a railway embankment to watch the game for free.  Police horse would charge up the embankment, scattering the watchers like pigeons.  Goodness knows what was going on up there.


The experience fits in with my basic football philosophy.  The overwhelming majority of fans are fundamentally decent and whatever team they support we are all stuck on the good ship Hope and Despair bobbing around in the ocean occasionally glimpsing land. But there are some horrible people and it's really important that they never come between decent people and the game they love.

[Sir Alec of good Stock]

I've been there a few times, first visit was in 72/73 when we won 3-1.
Also the first ever Sunday match which we lost 1-0 with, I think, Alf Wood scoring. First player to kick a ball on a Sunday match quiz question? Alan Slough.
I also remember a 3-0 win when we were that score up at half time. We were standing in the end opposite the Cold Blow Lane End and at half time a few Millwall came around and a fight started that spilled on to the pitch and delayed the start of the second half.
I loved the Den, like many old grounds, so much better than the concrete and plastic replacement.
I've never had any problems with their supporters, but we've never been a club that they particularly dislike,

[Dr Know]

I've been there a few times, first visit was in 72/73 when we won 3-1.
Also the first ever Sunday match which we lost 1-0 with, I think, Alf Wood scoring. First player to kick a ball on a Sunday match quiz question? Alan Slough.
I also remember a 3-0 win when we were that score up at half time. We were standing in the end opposite the Cold Blow Lane End and at half time a few Millwall came around and a fight started that spilled on to the pitch and delayed the start of the second half.
I loved the Den, like many old grounds, so much better than the concrete and plastic replacement.
I've never had any problems with their supporters, but we've never been a club that they particularly dislike,

See my earlier post re cup ties

[grandad]

1st ever Sunday game 1974. I was there aged 19.

I was there with my mates & were in the stands. There was a home enclosure in front of us. We were continually pelted with coins & beer cans. The coins went towards our costs & the beer was welcome as the neanderthals had not even opened them. We did & their lot got drenched.

[Maidstone Lee]

Kit Symons last minute winner in our promotion season under Keegan is still a great memory of mine.

[Holders]

1st ever Sunday game 1974. I was there aged 19.

I was there with my mates & were in the stands. There was a home enclosure in front of us. We were continually pelted with coins & beer cans. The coins went towards our costs & the beer was welcome as the neanderthals had not even opened them. We did & their lot got drenched.

I was there and it was the first Sunday league game as it was the only one with 11.00 am kick-off (Alan Slough, I believe). We played in primrose yellow.

[Russianrob]

First time l saw a Fulham away match was against Millwall 73/74.Won 3-1.

[Dr Know]

First time l saw a Fulham away match was against Millwall 73/74.Won 3-1.

Think the game was in September 1972 !

[Dr Know]

1st ever Sunday game 1974. I was there aged 19.

I was there with my mates & were in the stands. There was a home enclosure in front of us. We were continually pelted with coins & beer cans. The coins went towards our costs & the beer was welcome as the neanderthals had not even opened them. We did & their lot got drenched.

I was there and it was the first Sunday league game as it was the only one with 11.00 am kick-off (Alan Slough, I believe). We played in primrose yellow.

I'm sure it was a 11-30am ko

[ffcne]

Kit Symons last minute winner in our promotion season under Keegan is still a great memory of mine.

Yes fantastic.After Pesch was blatanyly fouled in the box ,ref bottled it.
Fan ran on the pitch to have a pop at Rufus.
Seems like we were kept behind for about 30 minutes after the game(for our own safety) !!