Millwall
MillwallEarly DaysPost War PerformanceRecent Years
Millwall
History
Early days
Formed by a group of employees from Mortons Jam Factory on the Isle of Dogs, Millwall began as Millwall Rovers in 1885. Many of the club’s founders were of Scottish origin accounting for the blue and white colours of the club strip, still used today. After changing their name to Millwall Athletic and then simply Millwall, the club became known as the Lions during the early 20th century, a nickname that has stuck ever since. Following a number of temporary homes on the Isle of Dogs, the club moved across the river in 1910, to their permanent residence at the Den in New Cross, where they stayed until 1993 when they moved to a new ground (also called the Den) on Zampa Road.
After winning the Southern League championships in their first two seasons as a club, the Lions made their mark on a national level in 1903 when they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup before being defeated 3-0 by Derby County. After a further seventeen years in the southern league, the Lions became a founder team of the Football League Division Three, beating Bristol Rovers 2-0 in their inaugural game as a Division Three team. The 1920s were a great decade for Millwall, seeing them defeat Middlesbrough for the FA cup title in 1927 and earn promotion to the Second Division the following year. In 1932-33 Millwall finished seventh place in the Second Division, but after their successful season the team went on to lose eight games on the trot and were relegated back to the Third Division at the end of the following season.
Post war performance
By the end of the 1930s, the Lions were back on form, earning promotion to the Second Division after winning the Third Division championships in 1937 and becoming the first Third Division team to reach the FA Cup semi-finals that same year. During the Second World War, Millwall continued to play in the Southern Football League and nearing the end of the war they reached the final of the league at Wembley where they lost 2-0 to Chelsea. In the post-war years Millwall struggled to survive in the Second Division and in 1948 they were faced with relegation again. A decade later and their fate went from bad to worse, when they became one of the founder teams of the new Fourth Division.
In 1962 the Lions had a glimpse of glory when they were promoted to the Third Division after winning the Fourth Division championships, but their success was not to last and they were sent back down in 1964. The following season, Millwall were promoted back up and in 1966 they proved their worth when they were unbeaten in 59 consecutive home games. In 1971-72 hopes for promotion to the First Division were dashed when Birmingham City beat the Lions to top flight status. In 1975 Millwall were relegated once again to the Third Division being promoted the following season but relegated again two years later.
Recent years
During the 1980s Millwall had a number of very strong players in the team, most notably Teddy Sheringham who made his debut as a Millwall striker in 1985. The following year and, with the help of Sheringham’s goal scoring abilities, the Lions were promoted to the Second Division. Three years later, under the direction of new manager John Docherty, the team reached the Second Division finals earning them promotion to the First Division for the first time in Millwall’s history. Millwall fared well in the 1988-89 season but the following season they lost all but two of their matches and were relegated once again to Division One (originally the Second Division). During the nineties and into the new millennium Millwall yo-yoed between the divisions, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premiership in 2001 before being relegated to League One in 2006. The Lions started the 2007 season at the bottom of the table, but having had a number of significant investments in recent years the club is optimistic about its future success.
Honours
- Football League Second Division Champions: 1987-88
- Football League Third Division Champions: 1927-28, 1937-38, 1968-69, 2000-01
- Football League Fourth Division Champions: 1961-62
- FA Cup Semi-Finalists: 1900, 1903, 1937
- FA Cup Runners-up: 2004
- Football League Trophy: 1982-83
- Southern League Champions: 1895, 1896
- Western League Champions: 1908, 1909
- United League Champions: 1897, 1899
- London League Champions: 1904
- East London Senior Cup: 1887, 1888, 1889
- East London FA Cup: 1886
- FA Youth Cup: 1979, 1991
Tickets
Tickets for Millwall home matches can be bought online, by post, in person at the club’s box office or through Ticket Master on 0870 403 3357. Ticket prices vary depending on the match but discounts are often given to fans who can show a ticket stub for the previous match.
Travel
Millwall have their home at the Den which can be easily accessed by car and public transport.
By car (from the North) From the M1/A1 follow signs for City, Shoreditch and Whitechapel. Follow ring road signs for Dover and, after crossing Tower Bridge, take the first exit at the roundabout, marked A2. From Elephant & Castle take the A2 (New Kent Road) into Old Kent Road. After four miles turn left at Gem Bar into Ilderton Road. Take the seventh turning on the right into Zampa Road and the Den will be clearly visible.
By car (from the South) Take the A20 and A21 towards London and at New Cross follow signs for Surrey Quays into Kender Street. Turn left into Old Kent Road and at the sign for ‘car pound’ take a right turning into Ilderton Road. Take the seventh turning on the right into Zampa Road and the Den will be clearly visible.
By train The Den’s nearest station is South Bermondsey which is approximately 5 minutes walk from the stadium.
By Underground Surrey Quays and New Cross Gate tube stations on the East London Line are approximately 15 minutes walk from the stadium.
By Bus Bus numbers 1, 21, 47, 53, 172, 188, P12, 225 and 381 all stop in close proximity to the Den.
Contact
For information about matches or for general enquiries contact the club by:
Post: Millwall FC, The Den, Zampa Road, London, SE16 3LN
Email: questions@millwallplc.com
Telephone: 0207 232 122
Online: www.millwallfc.co.uk