Millwall F.C.–West Ham United F.C. rivalry

The rivalry between Millwall and West Ham United is one of the longest-standing and most bitter rivalries in English football,^[3] with both sets of supporters considering the other club as their main rival.^[4]

West Ham and Millwall both originated in East London and the competition between the two clubs can be traced back to the end of the 19th century between rival dockers at shipyards on either side of the River Thames. Millwall, formed in 1885 by dockers on the Isle of Dogs, had support in the surrounding areas until ten years later, when another football team was founded by dockers at Thames Ironworks; the two clubs quickly became vicious enemies. They were rivals for the same business and the players lived in the same locality.^[5]

Despite the animosity between supporters of both clubs, the two teams have met only sporadically in recent decades. Before World War I they met 60 times in just 15 years. Since, both have played in different leagues for much of their latter history, meeting only 38 times in almost 100 years.

The most recent example of the rivalry flaring up was during a Football League Cup game in August 2009, where disorder between supporters in and around West Ham's Upton Park ground led to 20 people being injured, including one Millwall fan who was stabbed before the match began.^[6][7][8] During extra-time, West Ham fans invaded the pitch three times.^[9] The Football Association later found West Ham guilty of failing to ensure their fans refrained from violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour and from entering the field of play; Millwall were cleared of all charges.^[10]

Millwall and West Ham will next play each other in the 2011–12 Football League Championship, at Upton Park on 4 February 2012, with the game at The Den on 17 September 2011 ending in a 0–0 stalemate.

History of the rivalry

The fixture between Millwall and West Ham has always been a fierce encounter, from the first ever meeting between the clubs, a friendly on 23 September 1897 which the newly-formed Thames Ironworks (which later became West Ham United) lost 2–0.

Millwall was formed in 1885 by tinsmiths at JT Morton's canned food factory on the Isle of Dogs. Ten years later, a foreman at Thames Ironworks, London's last major shipbuilding firm, decided to form a football team to improve the morale of his workers. With each set of players and supporters working for opposing firms, vying for the same contracts, rivalries were instigated and they intensified.

The second meeting between the sides was a Southern League match that became the game that spanned two centuries. The fixture at Thames Ironworks' Memorial Ground on 23 December 1899 was abandoned after 69 minutes due to smog, with Millwall leading 2–0. Bizarrely, instead of replaying the game, the remaining 21 minutes were tagged on to the return fixture four months later, on 28 April 1900. After completing the return fixture which Thames Ironworks won 1–0, the players took a short rest and proceeded to play the rest of the abandoned game, with no further score.

On 17 September 1906 in a Western League game, a particularly ferocious encounter saw one player hurled against a metal advertising board and others were stretchered off following heavy tackles. The East Ham Echo reported: "From the very first kick of the ball it was seen likely to be some trouble, but the storm burst when Dean and Jarvis came into collision (Millwall had two players sent off during the match). This aroused considerable excitement among the spectators. The crowds on the bank having caught the fever, free fights were plentiful."^[12]

In 1926 a general strike was observed by workers around the Royal Docks, who were mainly West Ham supporters, but the Millwall-supporting shipyard workers of the Isle of Dogs refused to lend their support, provoking outrage.^[13] This inspiration for the rivalry has never been confirmed though,^[14] and may be an urban legend, with conflicting reports of it happening in 1912.^[15] The story may also be a re-hashing of a similar incident in the history of the South Coast derby, where supporters from Portsmouth and Southampton clashed over crossed picket lines.^[15]

In 1972, a testimonial match for Millwall defender Harry Cripps was marred by intense fighting between the two club's hooligan firms.

Four years later, a Millwall supporter, Ian Pratt, died at New Cross railway station^[16] after falling out of a train during a fight with some West Ham fans. Leaflets were later distributed at Millwall's home matches bearing the words: "A West Ham fan must die to avenge him".^[13]

On 15 May 2011, West Ham were relegated from the Premier League after a 3–2 defeat at Wigan. Their relegation meant they would meet Millwall in the 2011–12 Football League Championship as Millwall had been promoted in English football's second tier the previous season. As Wigan equalised at 2–2, a light aircraft flew above the stadium trailing a banner which read 'Avram Grant – Millwall Legend'.^[17][18] The plane had been hired by Millwall supporters from the fans' website House of Fun, celebrating manager Grant's failure to prevent West Ham's relegation and thus reigniting the rivalry once more.^[19]

Disorder at Upton Park in 2009

Perhaps the most infamous recent example of the rivalry between Millwall and West Ham flaring up was when, in the 2009–10 season, The Lions were drawn against The Hammers in the Football League Cup. The police halved the number of tickets given to travelling Millwall fans from 3,000 to 1,500,^[20] sparking anger among Lions fans.^[21]

On the evening of 25 August 2009, clashes between some Millwall and West Ham fans outside Upton Park resulted in 20 people being injured, including one Millwall fan who was stabbed. The game itself saw about fifty^[9] West Ham supporters invade the pitch on three occasions, forcing the game to be temporarily suspended once. The police later said the violence, because of its large scale, was organised beforehand.^[22][23]

The Football Association later handed Millwall three charges and West Ham four. Millwall were cleared of all charges while West Ham were found guilty of two: violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour and failing to prevent their fans entering the field of play. The Hammers were fined £115,000 by the FA.^[10]

Notable matches

• Millwall Athletic 2–0 Thames Ironworks (23 September 1897)

The first documented meeting between the two sides was a friendly at Millwall's The Athletic Ground on the Isle of Dogs, watched by 1,300 people.^[24]

• Thames Ironworks 1–2 Millwall Athletic (9 December 1899)

The fifth qualifying round of the FA Cup brought about the first competitive game between the two clubs. Goals from Hugh Goldie and Bert Banks saw Millwall Athletic beat their rivals away. They went on to reach the semi-final that year but were defeated by Southampton.

• West Ham United 1–7 Millwall Athletic (2 April 1903)

The largest winning margin in a competitive game between the Hammers and Lions came in a semi-final of the Southern Professional Charity Cup.

• West Ham United 3–0 Millwall Athletic (2 September 1904)

West Ham's first home game at Upton Park was a 3–0 win over Milwall. All three goals were scored by Billy Bridgeman.^[25]

• Millwall 3–5 West Ham United (4 May 1972)

The Harry Cripps testimonial game was a goalfest, but more notable for the organised violence before, during and after the game.

• Millwall 0–1 West Ham United (3 December 1988)

The first game between the two clubs in the top flight of English football took place in December 1988. Paul Ince scored the only goal at The Den in a season which saw West Ham record a rare double over Millwall (the only Football League double between the teams) but The Hammers were relegated to the Second Division.

• Millwall 4–1 West Ham United (21 March 2004)

In 2004, Millwall and West Ham played each other twice in the league. The first fixture ended in a 1–1 draw at Upton Park and passed by without incident.^[26] During the return fixture at The Den, Millwall missed two penalties but still won 4–1 while West Ham player Stephen Bywater was sent off.^[27] Violence broke out during the game between the two sets of fans^[28] and at one point eight police horses were required on the pitch to control the disorder.^[16] The result was the widest winning margin between the sides in the Football League and the match became known as The Mothers' Day Massacre.^[29]

• West Ham United 3–1 Millwall (25 August 2009)

The first and as yet only Football League Cup meeting between the two London sides. The match gained widespread publicity for the pitch invasions and violent disorder before, during and after West Ham's victory after extra-time. The Hammers were fined by the FA for failing to prevent their fans enter the field of play and violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour of supporters.

Players who have played for both teams

Managers

Billy Bonds is the only manager to ever manage both clubs. He was in charge of West Ham from 1990 to 1994, with the team yo-yoing between divisions, he saw them to two promotions and one relegation. He resigned in August 1994 and appointed as Millwall manager in 1997 by then chairman Theo Paphitis — an unpopular decision with many Lions fans.^[30] After a bright start, the team flirted with relegation eventually finishing 18th in the third division and Bonds was sacked.

Pat Holland, an FA Cup winner in 1975 with West Ham, served as both assistant manager, to Willie Donachie, and chief scout at Millwall.^[31]

In June 2011 former Millwall player Sam Allardyce was appointed as manager of West Ham.^[32]

Brotherly rivalry

The Fenton brothers have managed one of the sides at different times, during successful periods in both clubs' histories. Ted Fenton managed West Ham from 1950–61 and was responsible for the establishment of youth development at the club, the Academy of Football. His brother Benny, who played for both teams, managed Millwall from 1966 to 1974, helping to establish a fortress at The Den, going 59 games unbeaten there over a three-year period.

In film

The rivalry between the teams, specifically the clubs' two hooligan firms has been depicted on the big screen several times:

• The Firm (1989) - Real-life Millwall supporter^[33] Gary Oldman plays Bex, leader of the football firm the Inter City Crew, a fictional representation of West Ham's Inter City Firm and their violent exploits. Millwall's Bushwackers firm are called The Buccaneers in it.

• Green Street (2004) - Real-life West Ham supporter^[34] Elijah Wood plays an American student who gets involved with West Ham's firm. The film builds up to the big clash with Millwall's firm at the climax, after the two teams draw each other in the Cup, echoing the reality of 2009's League Cup game.

• Rise of the Footsoldier (2007) - The rise of a football hooligan is chronicled from his beginnings on the terraces to becoming a member of a notorious gang of criminals. The bitter rivalry between West Ham and Millwall is displayed during the opening scenes of the film.^[35]

• Green Street 2: Stand Your Ground (2009) - Sequel to Green Street which follows its climax. Several members of the West Ham firm and Millwall fans end up in prison.

• The Firm (2009) - A remake of the original 1988 film, by Football Factory director and Millwall supporter Nick Love.^[36]

Record by competition

As of 17 September 2011.

This table only includes competitive first team games, excluding all pre-season games, friendlies, abandoned matches, testimonials and games played during World War I and II (see below).

Full list of results

Scores and results list home team first.

Six other contests between 1900 and 1929 were played, abandoned and not completed due to fog and bad light.^[24]

In 1930 there was an alteration in the London FA Challenge Cup, the rule 'Clubs must play their strongest elevens' was deleted.^[24] After that, the competition was regarded for reserves and six games between the clubs after that date are not classed as first team games.

Statistics

Firsts

• First ever meeting: Millwall Athletic 2 Thames Ironworks 0 (friendly), 23 September 1897
• First competitive meeting: Thames Ironworks 1 Millwall Athletic 2 (FA Cup), 9 December 1899
• First league meeting: Thames Ironworks 0 Millwall Athletic 2 (Southern League), 23 December 1899
• First football league meeting: West Ham United 3 Millwall 0 (Second Division), 17 September 1932
• First away victory for Millwall: Thames Ironworks 1 Millwall Athletic 2 (FA Cup), 9 December 1899
• First away victory for West Ham United: Millwall Athletic 0 Thames Ironworks 1 (Southern League), 28 April 1900

Results

• Highest scoring game: 8 goals (twice)
  • West Ham United 1 Millwall Athletic 7, 2 April 1903
  • West Ham United 6 Millwall 2, 22 September 1912
• Largest winning margin (Millwall): 6 goals
  • West Ham United 1 Millwall Athletic 7, 2 April 1903
• Largest winning margin (West Ham United): 4 goals (four times)
  • West Ham United 4 Millwall Athletic 0, 9 September 1901
  • Millwall Athletic 1 West Ham United 5, 26 December 1901
  • West Ham United 6 Millwall 2, 22 September 1912
  • West Ham United 5 Millwall 1, 8 October 1928
• League doubles: 1 (1988–89 season. West Ham beat Millwall home and away, the only time either club has achieved this in the Football League.)

Trends

• Most games won in a row (Millwall): 6, 2 April 1903 – 29 February 1904
• Most games won in a row (West Ham United): 4, 8 October 1929 – 17 September 1932
• Most games without defeat (Millwall): 12, 26 April 1902 – 1 September 1904
• Most games without defeat (West Ham United): 10, 21 October 1933 – 14 May 1979
• Most games drawn in a row: 3 (twice), 21 October 1933 – 27 December 1938; 25 January 1947 – 1 September 1947
• Most games played against each other in a season: 7 (twice), 9 September 1901 – 26 April 1902; 8 November 1902 – 25 April 1903
• Longest period without playing each other: 19 years, 13 October 1959 – 7 October 1978 (the 1960s is the only decade the teams haven't met since they were formed.)
• Record attendance: 42,200, Upton Park. West Ham United 0 Millwall 0 (27 December 1947)

During wartime

A number of friendlies and non-competitive derbies have taken place, the majority occurring during First World War and Second World War, when a total of 31 matches were played between the teams.^[24] Both teams fielded severely depleted sides of juniors, reserves and non-professionals in the London Combination, South Regional League, London League, League South (A) Division and Football League War Cup.^[37]

Millwall's Wally Davis, who scored 70 goals in 62 games, returned from battle with leg injuries, forcing him to retire early in 1919.

The Den was severely damaged by a German bomb during the Second World War, and for a brief time Millwall were invited by their neighbours to play their games at The Valley, Selhurst Park and even Upton Park.^[24] With such a shortage of professional players during the Second World War, a guest player system was introduced. Players such as Sailor Brown, Louis Cardwell and Jimmy Jinks^[38] played for both clubs during this period.

West Ham lost 2–1 to Chelsea at White Hart Lane in the 1944–45 War Time Cup semi-final, with two guest Millwall players in their team^[39] -- both of whom went on to play for Millwall in the final, where they lost to Chelsea 2–0.

See also

• South London derby
• London derbies
• Major football rivalries

References

Bibliography

• Murray, Jim (1988). Lions of the South. Leatherbound Island. ISBN 1871220009. 
• Dunning, Eric (1989). The Roots of Football Hooliganism: An Historical and Sociological Study. Routledge. ISBN 0415036771. 
• Lindsay, Richard (1991). Millwall: A Complete Record, 1885-1991. Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 1859838332. 
• Blows, Kirk and Hogg, Tony (2000). The Essential History of West Ham United. Headline. ISBN 0-7472-7036-8. 
• Hellier, John and Leatherdale, Clive (2000). West Ham United: The Elite Era – A Complete Record. Desert Island. ISBN 1-874287-31-7. 
• Tarrant, Eddie; Richard Lindsay (2010). Millwall: The Complete Record. DB Publishing. ISBN 1859838332. 
• Calvin, Michael (2010). Family: Life, Death and Football. Integr8 Books. ISBN 0956698107. 

External links

• Millwall official website
• West Ham United official website