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Before the game a packed Royal Archer
What seemed like forever, myself and other Millwall supporters have longed for the opportunity to watch Millwall FC in the top division, this day would shortly come. Millwall had managed to secure the 2nd division title and was shortly going to be crowned as champions. The air around the ground was electric and the excitement was fever pitch. This Millwall team had managed to achieve what many Millwall teams before them had failed to do, this including some very good sides which had players like Julians, Kitchener, Possee and Cripps to name but a few.
The man to lead the Lions into this new world of top flight football was manager John Docherty who had been appointed Millwall's manager in the summer of 1986. Players like Les Briley, Terry Hurlock, Kieth "Rhino" Stevens and Alan Mcleary became Millwall legends while Tony Cascarino and Teddy Sheringham not only became legends but also great players on the worlds football stage. Was the top flight ready for Millwall "no" but Millwall was ready for the top flight.
The Lions of the South were shortly going to make their mark.
In they come
This last game of the season was at home to Blackburn Rovers but that was not important. The Rovers side tried to spoil the party by beating us 4-1 it did not matter "we had the crown"
Cold Blow Lane
The Den, Cold Blow Lane, New Cross, London 1988
Due to crowd restrictions a gate of about 15,000 .was present.
The same ground 50 years before had crowds of 45,000+
A decent Rovers away support can be seen in the Ilderton Road end.
The new ground could never repeat these scenes
The team recieve the champions trophy.
Top flight football is here at last.
( The steward looks keen )
Pure emotion
After the game, mass celebration and it's back to the pub
