Neil Harris is already putting in the hours, he has met the board and it looks like the focus for next season is intense. Season ticket sales are up and we are signing players already as we pick up 19 year old defender Mahlon Romeo from Gillingham on a year contract.A couple of the youngsters have signed contract extensions so Ben Thompson and Keaton Wood for at least another year. There's a buzz about the place and with a "young" Neil Harris and a "young" David Livermore leading the pack we may be wet behind the ears at times but they will learn quick and I am sure we do alright.
Jake Goodman let go by Millwall but AFC Wimbledon where he played 17 games on loan do not want to keep him.
Martyn Woolford released is in some way not what I expected. I know we had a few players to get shot of but not a had working honest pro who if he had stayed could have done a job in League One and I reckon he would have been a good pro to link up with the batch of first team youngsters. What do I know.
Season ticket sales are up on last year and where most football club supporters would be having a right old gripe about their club being relegated we are aching for the new season to start and support Neil Harris and the boys in the true Millwall way. This Millwall way as been lost for a while and it will be great to see it back.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE MEANS NO MORE LOAN SIGNINGS TO MAKE UP THE NUMBERS
Neil Harris looks within or prefers to sign the right players on long term deals. I think we all can see the benefit of that
May 19th
Tony Craig has been mentioned, would he come back? Yep! I am sure he will say where do I sign.
May 21st
There's news that David Forde is off to Derby County. I wonder if we will go? I have a feeling he won't. Time will tell but I reckon he will stay.
Carlos Edwards who's contract has expired has stayed on at the Den to finish his rehabilitation and to see if he can earn himself a new contract. I see good reasoning in that decision and I hope that the 36 year old defender can earn that new deal as I recall before he got injured last September he was playing his usual good football and had the legs of a 20 year old.
Alan Dunne and Danny Shittu both say their farewells and leave the club with fond memories.
Likewise the pair have gave me joy over the years and of course there's been periods of non-joy and misery but that's football and of course that's supporting Millwall FC
No London derbies this season unless it's a cup game
June 1st
Aiden O'Brien and Sid Nelson sign up to a three year deal and that's two of our shiniest stars in the bag showing commitment and desire. There's still a few more to commit but I know they will.
Under 18 coach Justin Skinner is given the role of Elite Development Squad Manager. I have no idea what that means but he will be working with Neil Harris and David Livermore. A few other appointments have joined the coaching team, David Connolly a former Irish international striker and West Ham player will coach the under 18's and Larry McAvoy has moved up from the under 16's to assist David Connolly.
June 5th
Here's a turn up Andrew Frampton signs up as a coach and another ex Lion returns to the fold. I remember his first season at the Den as a player and to be honest he didn't set the Den alight or done any favours for himself but year two was a different matter and he walked away with the player of the season. He sounds up for it and want to put across the ethic of working hard gets results.
I read in the South London Press that Fulham are having talks with David Forde. Lets see what happens.
June 9th
We are trying sign Jordan Archer from spurs but apparently so is everybody else. The 21 year old keeper enjoyed his time being on loan at the Den last season and this may sway him to sign for the Lions. With David Forde having the contract condition that he could leave on a free if the Wall was relegated Jordan Archer will have the chance of being the new No 1
June 1st
Aiden O'Brien and Sid Nelson sign up to a three year deal and that's two of our shiniest stars in the bag showing commitment and desire. There's still a few more to commit but I know they will.
Under 18 coach Justin Skinner is given the role of Elite Development Squad Manager. I have no idea what that means but he will be working with Neil Harris and David Livermore. A few other appointments have joined the coaching team, David Connolly a former Irish international striker and West Ham player will coach the under 18's and Larry McAvoy has moved up from the under 16's to assist David Connolly.
June 5th
Here's a turn up Andrew Frampton signs up as a coach and another ex Lion returns to the fold. I remember his first season at the Den as a player and to be honest he didn't set the Den alight or done any favours for himself but year two was a different matter and he walked away with the player of the season. He sounds up for it and want to put across the ethic of working hard gets results.
I read in the South London Press that Fulham are having talks with David Forde. Lets see what happens.
June 9th
We are trying sign Jordan Archer from spurs but apparently so is everybody else. The 21 year old keeper enjoyed his time being on loan at the Den last season and this may sway him to sign for the Lions. With David Forde having the contract condition that he could leave on a free if the Wall was relegated Jordan Archer will have the chance of being the new No 1
TICKET SALES ARE UP AND I THINK WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 2015-16 SEASON TO KICK OFF
We are attempting to sign defender Alfie Mawson from Brentford but the further two years of his contract to run but this may be stumbling block that we cannot overcome.
We have drawn Brentford in the first round of the Capital Cup. A London derby which is something we won't have in League One this new season. We play the game at the Den on the 11th of August.
June 17th
Fred Onyedinma finally signs a new deal so he is at the Den to at least 2017. Fred calls Millwall Family and he feels at home. After his successful loan deal at Wycombe last season I expect him to kick on but I must remember that he is still only 18.
June 18th
Players and supporters remember Tommy Blackmore a well known Millwall supporter who was killed near Tower Bridge last weekend after what the police call a incident (I think he went to help someone in trouble) My granddaughter new him well and joined a memorial march from Rotherhithe to Tower Bridge. RIP Tommy
Nadjim Abdou resigns for Millwall and it looks like he will pass the 300 mark of games this season. Jimmy had interest from elsewhere but one of our favourites decided to stay.and signed a new two year deal. I'm pleased with his decision because he works his socks off and is a proper Millwall player.
June 25th
Carlos Edwards returns to full training and injured Jamie Philpot and Shaun Williams are back in training but just a little bit to start with. Matthew Briggs who was not retained leaves the Lions and signs for Colchester United.
We were due to sign striker James Hanson from Bradford City for a fee of half-a-million but it didn't happen so we still need to obtain one from somewhere.
Joe Martin signs for Millwall after five years at Gillingham where he made 179 appearances.
I don't know much about this player so will be curious to see how he slots in.
July 3rd
Tony Craig re-signs for Millwall after he made it happen and I am sure he will take ownership the captains armband. This is good news for me and I am sure also for a good few other Wall supporters. There is a section of support that are not that keen to see him back for various reasons but I am hopeful he will be ok for the sake of the club.
July 4th
The team is training again in Portugal and all though it's hot over there they are putting in the sessions. Paris Cowan-Hall did not go as he is crooked again.
Richard Chaplow joins Doncaster Rovers
July 14th
First Pre-season friendly----Bromley 2 Lions 2 att: 2500
Lions goals Marquis 50 pen, Thompson 56
Tony Craig scores a own goal right at the death but we should have won it.
We take on Bromley FC at their place in Hayes Lane and earn a 2-2 draw. Bromley who were recently promoted to the Conference Premier or what ever it's called these days were a good test for us and their was a good few positives to take from the game.
Millwall: Archer (King 62), Cummings (Romeo 62), Nelson (Webster 46), Beevers (Craig 46), J Martin (Chesmain 62), Onyedinma (Breimyr 70), Upson (Farrell 62), Williams (Abdou 46), Thompson, Marquis (Twardek 62), O'Brien (Pavey 82)
__________
July 18th
2nd pre-season friendly v AFC Wimbledon
We just about managed a goal at Kings meadow stadium as Sid Nelson saved our day with a 90th minute equaliser against League Two side Wimbledon. A proven striker is a must and hopefully we shall find one before the season starts. We have got players that can score goals but that 20-25 goals a season player is desperately needed. The type of player that we need is a Steve Morison but I think he is tied into Leeds on a 3 year deal. Would he come back? I think he would.
July 20th
It looks like that David Forde is committed to Millwall and is looking forward to the season getting under way.
July 25th 3rd pre-season game against Stevenage
We clash with Teddy Sheringham's Stevenage and come away with a 1-0 win. Another of our defenders score as Mark Beever's puts one away in the 60th minute. We took about 400 to Hertfordshire and were unlucky to see Millwall just get the one goal because we could and should of got a handful. We bossed the game with plenty of possession and encouraged by the travelling loud 400 on another day the goals will come.
Millwall: Forde (Archer 56), Cummings (Nelson 73), Webster, Craig, Beevers (J Martin 73), Cowan-Hall (Onyedinma 56), Abdou (Upson 46), Williams (Thompson 73), L Martin (Powell 56), Marquis, Gregory (Philpot 56)
subs not used. Romeo, Pavey
__________
Kris Twardek fractures his toe and could be out for a couple of months.
__________
July 28th Behind closed door game at Welling ends in a 2-2 draw
__________
1st August, the last of the pre-season friendlies
Millwall 2 CD Tondela 3 att: 2402
Tondela have rose through the Portuguese leagues and are now in the top flight.
The shortest player on the pitch heads past David Forde for Tondela's 3rd which proved to be the winner. Now that's a worry and I do hope this defence of ours gets it right when they play the first proper game of the season when we take on Shrewsbury at their place next Saturday.
Fred looked sharp and scored after a superb run and took the goal well. Lee Maetin must have a nose bleed as he put in one of his better displays and set Shaun Williams up who headed the ball past the Tondela keeper.The game got a bit tasty with some aggression on the pitch but we thrive on that sort of stuff and although a friendly dull it wasn't.
Millwall: Forde, Cummings, Webster, Craig, Beevers, Onyedinma, Upson (Powell 87), Williams, L Martin (Cowan-Hall 76), Marquis, Gregory
subs not used, Archer, Nelson, Romeo, Thompson, Pavey, Philpot
Goals for Millwall: Onyedinma 14, Williams 45
June 17th
Fred Onyedinma finally signs a new deal so he is at the Den to at least 2017. Fred calls Millwall Family and he feels at home. After his successful loan deal at Wycombe last season I expect him to kick on but I must remember that he is still only 18.
June 18th
Players and supporters remember Tommy Blackmore a well known Millwall supporter who was killed near Tower Bridge last weekend after what the police call a incident (I think he went to help someone in trouble) My granddaughter new him well and joined a memorial march from Rotherhithe to Tower Bridge. RIP Tommy
Nadjim Abdou resigns for Millwall and it looks like he will pass the 300 mark of games this season. Jimmy had interest from elsewhere but one of our favourites decided to stay.and signed a new two year deal. I'm pleased with his decision because he works his socks off and is a proper Millwall player.
June 25th
Carlos Edwards returns to full training and injured Jamie Philpot and Shaun Williams are back in training but just a little bit to start with. Matthew Briggs who was not retained leaves the Lions and signs for Colchester United.
We were due to sign striker James Hanson from Bradford City for a fee of half-a-million but it didn't happen so we still need to obtain one from somewhere.
Joe Martin signs for Millwall after five years at Gillingham where he made 179 appearances.
I don't know much about this player so will be curious to see how he slots in.
July 3rd
Tony Craig re-signs for Millwall after he made it happen and I am sure he will take ownership the captains armband. This is good news for me and I am sure also for a good few other Wall supporters. There is a section of support that are not that keen to see him back for various reasons but I am hopeful he will be ok for the sake of the club.
July 4th
The team is training again in Portugal and all though it's hot over there they are putting in the sessions. Paris Cowan-Hall did not go as he is crooked again.
Richard Chaplow joins Doncaster Rovers
July 14th
First Pre-season friendly----Bromley 2 Lions 2 att: 2500
Lions goals Marquis 50 pen, Thompson 56
Tony Craig scores a own goal right at the death but we should have won it.
We take on Bromley FC at their place in Hayes Lane and earn a 2-2 draw. Bromley who were recently promoted to the Conference Premier or what ever it's called these days were a good test for us and their was a good few positives to take from the game.
Millwall: Archer (King 62), Cummings (Romeo 62), Nelson (Webster 46), Beevers (Craig 46), J Martin (Chesmain 62), Onyedinma (Breimyr 70), Upson (Farrell 62), Williams (Abdou 46), Thompson, Marquis (Twardek 62), O'Brien (Pavey 82)
__________
July 18th
2nd pre-season friendly v AFC Wimbledon
We just about managed a goal at Kings meadow stadium as Sid Nelson saved our day with a 90th minute equaliser against League Two side Wimbledon. A proven striker is a must and hopefully we shall find one before the season starts. We have got players that can score goals but that 20-25 goals a season player is desperately needed. The type of player that we need is a Steve Morison but I think he is tied into Leeds on a 3 year deal. Would he come back? I think he would.
July 20th
It looks like that David Forde is committed to Millwall and is looking forward to the season getting under way.
July 25th 3rd pre-season game against Stevenage
We clash with Teddy Sheringham's Stevenage and come away with a 1-0 win. Another of our defenders score as Mark Beever's puts one away in the 60th minute. We took about 400 to Hertfordshire and were unlucky to see Millwall just get the one goal because we could and should of got a handful. We bossed the game with plenty of possession and encouraged by the travelling loud 400 on another day the goals will come.
Millwall: Forde (Archer 56), Cummings (Nelson 73), Webster, Craig, Beevers (J Martin 73), Cowan-Hall (Onyedinma 56), Abdou (Upson 46), Williams (Thompson 73), L Martin (Powell 56), Marquis, Gregory (Philpot 56)
subs not used. Romeo, Pavey
__________
Kris Twardek fractures his toe and could be out for a couple of months.
__________
July 28th Behind closed door game at Welling ends in a 2-2 draw
__________
1st August, the last of the pre-season friendlies
Millwall 2 CD Tondela 3 att: 2402
Tondela have rose through the Portuguese leagues and are now in the top flight.
The shortest player on the pitch heads past David Forde for Tondela's 3rd which proved to be the winner. Now that's a worry and I do hope this defence of ours gets it right when they play the first proper game of the season when we take on Shrewsbury at their place next Saturday.
Fred looked sharp and scored after a superb run and took the goal well. Lee Maetin must have a nose bleed as he put in one of his better displays and set Shaun Williams up who headed the ball past the Tondela keeper.The game got a bit tasty with some aggression on the pitch but we thrive on that sort of stuff and although a friendly dull it wasn't.
We play in white for this one
subs not used, Archer, Nelson, Romeo, Thompson, Pavey, Philpot
Goals for Millwall: Onyedinma 14, Williams 45
_________
5th August Steve Morrison does re-join the Lions and hopefully he can add to the 40 goals he scored for us between 2009-and 2011. I know he's not everybody's cup of tea but he is a very good footballer and we could do a lot worse. He will score goals and at this level I expect him to score lots. Anywhere between 15-20 this season would do me and I presume it will do for everybody else including the manager.
Let the season begin, Shrewsbury away
