When you bid a fond farewell to someone, it normally means you regret they’re going; that you’ll miss them and eagerly await their return. Leeds United fans have made that kind of farewell often enough – various Elland Road heroes have left us over the years, with varying degrees of regret or relief on both sides.
The fond farewell we’re bidding to Millwall FC, however, is a horse of a different colour. This farewell is one we’re glad to be making. It’s a case of “off you go, chaps, and don’t hurry back”. The Lions probably will be back at some point; we shall have to hope that by that time we’ve moved onwards and upwards ourselves, so avoiding the need to sully our boots in competition with such a very horrible club.
For Millwall, let’s face it, have been a blight on the Championship ever since they dragged themselves up to this level. They have conducted themselves in a less than admirable fashion, certainly off the field and in the stands, where they continue to be followed by a rag-tag bunch of racists and knuckleheaded thugs, who disgrace themselves at every possible opportunity. We at Leeds are familiar with the sickening glee that has accompanied their Turkish favours, so blatantly – even proudly – displayed, every time Leeds have been visitors to their Meccano ground.
This eager desire to make fun of murder and loss is what has distinguished Millwall fans from almost every other set of supporters in the country – Man U being one possible and unsurprising exception. Maybe it’s a southern thing, then – but you don’t get that sort of stuff from many other southern sets of fans – not even Spurs.
Millwall’s visits to Leeds haven’t been anything like as troublesome, mainly as they’ve largely bottled that particular trip North, turning up in dribs and drabs that make an embarrassing mockery of their much-vaunted F-troop reputation. The excuse always offered is that those fixtures have been “bubble matches” events heavily policed with fan travel controlled and tickets issued in return for vouchers. It’s the kind of arrangement that makes away support more difficult, certainly – but not impossible by any means.
Leeds have been affected by such measures – but it hasn’t stopped us taking the usual large numbers to places like Cardiff. Millwall’s recent average at Leeds has been in the order of a couple of dozen who sit shivering, high up in the stand – a sad indictment of a supposedly scary away support. The flip side of this coin is the effect on a game’s atmosphere; on the other hand, it’s preferable to having buses smashed up and your stadium befouled by some fairly uncivilised visitors.
Twitter last night was aglow with supporters of other clubs, jubilant at Millwall’s fall from grace. That says a lot about the way their particular brand of “support” is distasteful to other fans. It was somehow appropriate that it should be Rotherham United who hammered home the final nail in the Millwall coffin by beating Reading and ensuring their own safety – despite a three point deduction that has made Millwall’s failure look narrower than it really is. But Rotherham will take keen pleasure in administering the fatal blow to a club whose fans reverted to type when, shortly after a tiny band of them witnessed defeat at Leeds, a rather larger mob rioted as their favourites lost at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.
Millwall’s relegation is entirely deserved on merit; they’ve clearly been one of the three worst teams in the league, and their demotion is probably a week or so overdue. Their fans also do not deserve to be mixing it with some of the elite clubs in the game; their proper level is where they’re now returning to, and the likes of Barnsley, Burton Albion and Shrewsbury must be wished the very best of luck in dealing with the invading reprobates.
Millwall will not be missed by Leeds United, nor, I believe, by most other clubs in the Championship. May their stay at a lower level be long and unrewarding – and may their supporters reflect that, in the misery and hurt of relegation, they are reaping now what they have been sowing for far too long.
Great stuff and right on the money.Very true about them having racists fans and for once I found Steve Evans (Millers manager) having something relevant to say.
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Put the Miwwwaww lad right in his place – quality!
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Wonderful, wonderful schadenfreude… Let us clink and drink one down!
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A Millwall relegation is a beautiful development to enjoy loud and proud, in the open!
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That coach pic is fucking hilarious as is Millwalls demise
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The pic was nicked off Facebook – quality isn’t it?
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Loved the article Rob. I’ve followed your blog a long time and it takes courage to say such things about Millwall. I was hoping you’d give them a send off to oblivion! I don’t think they’ll be back for a few years not as if they have a great team eh? If they showed the same energy as their fans chanting about Saville they’d have stayed up.
Millwall can say Leeds hate them,but it’s ALL clubs. The Turk chants,and all the rest,what a nice set of fans. Wonder how they feel tonight,knowing they and their tinpot ground mean as much to us all as Accrington Stanley? They say cream rises to the top and we will. It works other way too,even darn sarfff…
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I like the bus, but it looks like a 13 seater (not including the driver) a little on the large side don’t you think?
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I hope we don’t draw them there in the cup in bad weather. It makes you think you are in a Malaysian shack in a monsoon! Their previous manager tried to rein them in waste of time but respect to him anyway.
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Bye bye .
Hope you lot rot in league one sorry no we hope you go down again . Who is now gonna fill your poxy ground now that Leeds Utd won’t be around ?
Bye ! 😆. 😜
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I have to say that it doesn’t really take courage to say such things about Millwall. It takes a little bit of misguided anger and a refusal to admit that the fans who cause problems are in a minority – just as clubs like Leeds have their trouble makers too. As for it being a ‘southern thing’ – well that is just small minded and sounds a little hollow.
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I would also like to point out that relegation from the second tier doesn’t really represent a fall from grace. It is hardly the promised land.
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Feel better, John?
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I feel the most optimistic I have ever been after a relegation. It still isn’t a pleasant feeling though.
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Great article as ever Rob. I’ve been waiting for you to rub it in about Millwalls relegation, since last night and you have got everything spot on.
Practically everybody in the world of football, danced on Leeds grave, when we were relegated to League 1, so I have no sympathy for Millwall at all.
One of the few highlights of this season for Leeds fans, is seeing Millwall getting relegated and thankfully Leeds won’t have to play at their half filled, inhuman stadium next season, where the police, stewards and club officials always seem to turn a blind eye to the behaviour of the saintly Millwall fans.
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Dunno about the “minority” bit, John. You personally might not have been involved but in matchday crowd photo’s from our Millwall visits, the throat-slitting and stabbing gestures, the Galatasaray colours and shirts, the signs, Turkish flags etc are in abundance, mate, not to mention the vile chants. I must throw in the absolutely ZERO efforts of Millwall FC officials, stewards and local police to do anything at all about it.
A trip that won’t be missed.
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How many in those photos? They form a minority.
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Well Rob (closet Millwall Fan) if people want to find out how we’re doing next season, then all they’ll have to do is go on your blog because I’m sure you’ll keep them up to date every week just like you have this season. Good luck for next season your well behaved and immaculate fans who have very short memories about singing about death and loss to away fanss (Munich) ring a bell? nah didn’t think so well anywalike I said good luck mate and the rest of the “ELITE” lol, keep me updated as well because you seem to know more about MILLWALL than I do bye bye for now.
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One word to describe their relegation Rob ‘brilliant’ …….. Good riddance. Horrible TINY club. May you rot in the lower leagues forever. I’d say you’ve found your level but theres a few more relegations to come before that. Hahaha bye Scum…. M.O.T
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I don’t think Millwall have ever claimed to be a big club. Sometimes we have to suffer relegations and enjoy the odd promotion. I think that is about the same for Leeds to be honest; some periods of huge success but by and large a second tier side.
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That’s stretching the definition of “about the same” a little too far.
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Wonderful as usual Rob! Witty, cutting witheringly sardonic in the face of the club which, to me, is the most vile in English football
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That’s handsome, mate! Thank you – MOT
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As usual another idiotic, unbalanced and frankly pointless article. You clearly are obsessed with Millwall. Will you still be writing these little ditties next season even though we’re in different leagues? I’m sure you will, and I’m sure you will be following our progress probably more than your own. As for talking about us not belonging with more ‘civilised’ clubs, you do support Leeds don’t you?? Incredible that you can take such a high and mighty viewpoint. The pure fact of the matter is we deserved to get relegated, but we’ll definitely be back. And as the saying goes, no one likes us, we don’t care. But you will continue to write these pathetic articles. Good luck with Cellino.
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Not so much a bite as a bloody great chomp. Thanks, this sort of tantrum makes it all worthwhile.
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Why are opposing views to yours written off as tantrums? It was written in pretty much the same tone as your original blog – just has a different perspective.
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I disagree. And I run things here, so I’m right.
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Well, I don’t like the blog you have written on this occasion and would imagine you are pleased about that. But I am pleased that you post comments critical of you and are prepared to discuss them.
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To be fair, it wasn’t intended to appeal to Millwall fans – and after all the Turkish nonsense we’ve had, I think we can be permitted a smidgeon of Schadenfreude. I have to say that it’s good to hear from a Lions fan with some restraint and decency about him. I’ve had plenty of the other sort – but I’m always happy to discuss and debate with reasonable and intelligent people. Sadly, you’re the exception rather than the rule, as far as my experience of Millwall fans goes.
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Loved the bus pic, AND THE BUGGER’S EMPTY!!! Good riddance to the vile bastards
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For a tin pot no mark little South London club, you don’t half write a lot about them! #obsessed
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Yes, it must be said that Millwall attracts attention as shit attracts flies, and for broadly the same reasons.
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Goodness knows I’m no Millwall supporter, but in this age of total plastic sterility at football where 99% of teams are totally indistinguishable. Thank goodness for the likes of Millwall a breath of fresh ai! What’s up with people? If you don’t like football like atmosphere then go to church. Your article is rather difficult to follow in Amy rational way and to be honest comes across as displaying all of the hallmarks of jealousy.
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“Your article is rather difficult to follow in Amy rational way…” Well, that fine dropped bollock wins this week’s unintentional irony award 😂
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Careful rob, don’t want to get yourself reported to the rspca for cruelty to animals
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What is your obsession with Millwall Rob? I suppose it deflects from the pile of crap that you follow. Take a look at your own fans before pointing the finger. I hope you get aids you jimmy saville freak.
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Speaking of animals from the comment before – this is the sort of creature Miwwwaww are proud to have as a fan. I normally bin this kind of rubbish, but this is why proper football fans hold those Bermondsey vermin in contempt. As the Rotherham manager said: shut your trap, son, and enjoy League One.
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I was really hoping that it would go to the last day of the season ,, last min morison own goal sending them down , it would have been the first time ever at elland rd that the whole ground broke out in hysterical laughter at a leeds loss rob , oh well , carlsbrerg dont do relegations rob
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This relegation has been particularly sweet and enjoyable though, even so. Horrible little club, horrible little cowardly fans.
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What all these critics are missing Rob is the fact all the decent fans,ie us Leeds fans back you so fk em! They’re just pissed they are back where they belong with the minnows.
Ps. To call you that infamous name says it all about their fans.
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I wouldn’t mind so much if they were men enough to leave genuine email addresses – but they never do. Cowards all.
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I have never understood your obsession with Millwall Rob, except that it must pay well for you as this is one of many this season.
You write well and I will welcome a return to Leeds related issues.
Millwall mean nothing to Leeds fans. Not ones like me anyway
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It’s not an obsession – I have a regular go at Man U and Spurs, together with occasional digs at Huddersfield, the Sheffields, Barnsley and even aspects of Leeds. Millwall are on the hitlist on merits due to some disgraceful behaviour, and quite a few readers of this blog seem happy to see them getting some stick. And it’s cathartic for me. I’m glad you qualified your “Millwall mean nothing to Leeds fans” – you appear belatedly to have realised that you don’t speak for all Whites. As with any article, you have your democratic right to give it a miss. Meanwhile, the beatings will continue until morale improves 😉
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Brilliant again rob.
No one like us and the biggest smallest club in the world – and your piece has just reinforced that. Can we have another one soon please?
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That was probably it – you’re beneath our notice now. The smallest vile club in the third division 😂
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At least you won’t get relegated to 2nd div for fielding an ineligible player and getting docked points. Non of Millwall’s players are eligible for anything but bus passes! Des,you don’t speak for the majority. After all the Turk flags and throat slitting i was following Rotheram’s result with interest midweek.
We get that treatment but it’s down to jealousy,not because our fans act like animals. I say keep Redders on,not poach Hasselbaink. It is HE who has nursed our starlets. They trust him and will show loyalty to the club,and importantly,him. That Leeds enough for you Des? Keep the faith and courage of your convictions Rob. You are right to be glad to be rid of the tin shedders!
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Still quietly celebrating at LLUUE Towers 🙂
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This is a text only blog for the fans right? Well anyone who wants an appropriate pic copy and paste this add. Roll on next season minus the dreaded trip to Bermondsey!
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The demise of Millwall should be celebrated by all Leeds fans. Visits to the new Den have been undertaken to a backdrop of vile and demonstrable chanting by a minority of people that think it is acceptable to mock the death/murder of two Leeds fans in Istanbul. The scenes at Rotherham this season underlined their nasty bullying reputation and proof if it was needed that like most bully’s they pick their fights. I do feel sorry for genuine Millwall fans and I promise you Rob they do have some, fans that are sickened and ashamed every time that their name is dragged through the mud, ironically our taxi driver who took us from Parsons Green to Putney the night of our game at Fulham was a season ticket holder at Millwall spent the whole journey apologising for the Turkey chants. As much as I love my London games this is one that I can do without besides we will have QPR to replace them. Anyhow have a great summer Rob, I am sure our club will give you plenty of material to write your blogs with. On a personal note I am still enjoying Derby County’s fall from grace 😀 I came home from Leeds Saturday and enjoyed a lovely night out asking em who they had got in the play offs??? They are blaming McLaren for destabilising their season with all the Newcastle speculation. Have
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