Millwall and West Ham renew fierce London derby after 14-year gap
Millwall host West Ham at The Den on Saturday for their first competitive meeting in 14 years, a fixture shadowed by a violent history and heavy policing. West Ham arrive top of the Championship, while Millwall sit mid-table after an inconsistent start.
A reunion 14 years in the making
Millwall and West Ham United meet on Saturday at The Den for the first time in 14 years, in what the Guardian describes as the 100th competitive fixture between the clubs when discontinued minor tournaments are counted. Their last Championship meeting came in February 2012, when West Ham won at Upton Park, though Yahoo Sports states West Ham's last visit to The Den itself was in 2011 — the two sources differ on the exact year.
A rivalry rooted in violence
Known as the "Dockers Derby," the enmity dates back to when the clubs were founded by rival shipbuilding firms on the Isle of Dogs in east London, according to Yahoo Sports. The Guardian recounts a grim history of disorder: Millwall fan Ian Pratt died after a clash with West Ham supporters near New Cross station in 1976; West Ham fans ripped up seats and mounted police were deployed on the pitch during a match at The Den in March 2004; and a 44-year-old man was stabbed outside Upton Park during a League Cup tie in August 2009, which saw a brief pitch invasion and play suspended.
Unprecedented security measures
The Metropolitan Police have been granted special powers to tackle potential violence around this game, according to Yahoo Sports. West Ham have been allocated just 1,774 tickets, and a dedicated walkway links South Bermondsey station to the away end to keep rival fans apart, the Guardian reports.
Contrasting form
West Ham arrive top of the Championship after a 6-0 win over Wrexham; the Guardian cites a four-game league winning run, while Yahoo Sports' headline references five consecutive league wins — the sources disagree on the exact streak. Nuno Espírito Santo's side lost 3-2 to Fulham in the Carabao Cup in midweek, according to the BBC. Nuno said the outcome would be decided by events on the pitch rather than the atmosphere, adding that experienced players would help younger squad members manage the occasion. Millwall, managed by Alex Neil, sit 10th after an inconsistent start hampered by injuries, having come close to automatic promotion last season.
