Millwall and West Ham go meet for first time in 14 years on Saturday for di Den, and Metropolitan police don collect special powers to tackle violence as di two London teams clash again.
Absence no make heart grow fonder. Di atmosphere go hot, and main hope na say focus go stay on football instead of any nonsense outside pitch.
These two get plenty previous even though dem rare dey play each other. Di most glaring example na di shocking disorder inside and outside Upton Park when Millwall lost for second round of League Cup at West Ham old ground in August 2009.
A 44-year-old man was stabbed in chest as trouble rage outside and riot police struggle to maintain order during game, with play suspended briefly when home supporters invade pitch after one West Ham goal.
Nothing dey to glorify here. This go be di 100th competitive meeting, if discontinued minor tournaments dey included, and anyone wey no see logic behind rivalry fit be forgiven.
Di sides no dey on each other doorstep and Millwall dey south of Thames, meaning Crystal Palace and Charlton be more obvious enemies. Yet e no really be about football. Tribalism run deep, dating back to when clubs were formed by rival shipbuilding firms at docks on Isle of Dogs in east London, and e more down to hooligan elements than anything wey happen on pitch.
Hooliganism was rife in English football during 1970s and 1980s and Millwall and West Ham had fearsome firms. Trouble erupt when sides meet at Den for testimonial for Millwall defender Harry Cripps in 1972. Di toxicity grow and a Millwall fan, Ian Pratt, die after clash with West Ham fans at New Cross station in 1976.
E worth keeping in mind when people try to hype dis fixture. Stories about who be top dog on terraces back in day no too interesting. Di 2009 game was disturbing and frightening. In March 2004 police horses dey pitch when West Ham fans riot and rip up seats during 4-1 defeat at Den. Away fans no dey allowed in lower tier when West Ham return eight months later.
West Ham only get 1,774 tickets on Saturday. Metropolitan police go get measures to try keep opposing fans apart. Di dedicated walkway linking South Bermondsey station to away end act as coolant. Di mood still go tense.
There be odd dynamic to game. West Ham at times find am awkward because some of their fans care far more about beating Chelsea and Tottenham. But trip to Stamford Bridge or N17 be familiar experience. Going south of river to Millwall somehow viewed as different, di short train ride from London Bridge treated as intrepid journey into some hostile alien planet.
Perhaps di irregularity of game add to mystique. E don happen 18 times in league since Second World War and only in 1988-89 have teams been together in top flight. Millwall stay up that season but West Ham relegate, which usually required for game to take place. West Ham generally do something wrong if dem dey look for Millwall when fixture list come out. E pit Millwall as underdogs, role dem play well.
Dem often rise to occasion after West Ham relegate in 2003. Millwall get decent team – dem reach FA Cup final in 2004 – and pick up two wins and two draws against West Ham before Alan Pardew lead Hammers back into Premier League in 2005. E fit hard for West Ham to match up to intensity. Dem win at Upton Park when sides last meet, bouncing back from early Kevin Nolan red card to beat Millwall in February 2012, but tend to struggle in away game. Di Den tight, compact, intimidating. Millwall dey on five-match unbeaten run at home against West Ham since losing in 1988. Dem go look to level odds.
West Ham dey on four-game winning run in league and top Championship after smashing Wrexham 6-0 last weekend. Alex Neil Millwall come close to winning automatic promotion last season but get injuries and dey 10th after inconsistent start. Logic say West Ham suppose win. Logic may not count for very much when game begin.
For live match, Millwall go to their bench for first time. Elkan Baggott is on for Mark Sykes and e look like dem go go to back three. Third Hammers change. Edvin Austbo is on for final 23 minutes or so. West Ham finally coming into game. Thirty-five minutes to go, can dem rescue something from dis match? Filip Marschall called into action. Di keeper get down to stop Jarrod Bowen deflected low 25-yarder but e squirms away from him and Mohamadou Kante come into convert but Lions keeper Marschall do well to turn am behind for corner. That na Kalvin Phillips first league goal since May 2021. West Ham don fold like deck chair in dis atmosphere. I no be West Ham or Millwall fan but, West Ham dey embarrassing! Offered nothing and totally out fought in every area.
