Millwall: The Most Hated Football Club in England?
Clubs are hated because of their links with hooliganism firms, success on the pitch or because of moves of straight out shithousery. Let's take a look at Millwall, one of the most hated clubs in English football.
Millwall are one of the most hated football clubs in England and what better proof is there than their famous football chant “No one likes us, we don’t care". Most football clubs are hated for their success on the field.
In Millwall's case they've mostly played tier two and three football. Their best ever finish was tenth in the top tier in 1989 but the club has never even played Premier League football ever since it was created in 1992. Yet, Millwall are still one of the most hated clubs in England. How does that work?
Millwall has a long association with violent hooliganism which has made the club one of the most hated. Millwall’s fan base historically is made up of dockworkers who worked in physical and aggressive conditions. The Bushwackers are the most notorious firm of them all and have been active since 1972
These guys have a massive rap sheet. They threw a dummy grenade onto the football pitch in a 1965 match against Brentford. In 1982 Millwall's chairman at the time Alan Thorne even threatened to close the club because of fan violence.
There is a fierce rivalry between Millwall and West Ham as well as strong rivalries with Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic. Most of the hate towards Millwall across England follows the 1985 riots at Kenilworth Road, Luton Town.
Luton vs Millwall at Kenilworth Road in the Fa Cup, 1985. pic.twitter.com/y3BlwanpiS
— When Football Was Better (@FootballInT80s) October 15, 2018
Source: Originally posted on Twitter by FootballInT80s
The riots stained football's image across England as Milwall fans destroyed Luton Town's home ground in scenes that could've derailed domestic football in England. Millwall fans who were already known for their intimidation and brutality, trashed shops, vehicles and started numerous street brawls.
In more recent times with hundreds of Millwall fans involved in incidents around St Andrews Stadium following a play-off loss to Birmingham City in 2002. Millwall lost in a penalty shoot-out and missed out on promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. Almost 50 police officers and 24 police horses were injured.
Millwall vs Birmingham 2002
— VVG 🇳🇬 (@yosoyVVG) May 31, 2020
Notorious riot between infamous Millwall Bushwhackers & Zulu Warriors
At 1st they were against each other
But they both turned their attention on police
Police couldn’t cope as a lot of Millwall firm are squaddies
So they were using army tactics https://t.co/oOCOIkURo5 pic.twitter.com/cqUh1nhhn5
Source: Originally posted on Twitter by yosoyVVG
Millwall also booed Millwall and Derby players following players taking a knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement cementing their spot as one of the most hated clubs in England.
Wayne Rooney has described the booing by fans as players took a knee before Millwall vs Derby on Saturday "disgraceful and mindless".
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 6, 2020
Source: Originally posted on Twitter by SkySportsNews
It's fair to say that Millwall have built quite a reputation and are one of the most hated football clubs in the world. What are your feelings towards Millwall?
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Football Blog FC is a spin-off of Wolfgang Sport, an American and British sports blog I created in 2017. The beautiful game isn't what I remember it to be as a kid and using satire is my way of coping with it. FBFC was created to write about football with a bit of fun reflecting the current state of football.
Initially, I wondered why England would hate a nation-based club until I read further.
It's safe to say that the majority hates brutality and violence. Hence, anyone who supports violence tends to be disliked. I believe that is the case for Millwall.
When I was younger I used to think that it was all just passion. The older and wiser I get, i can see its much more complicated than that
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I'm a Leicester City fan through and through from way before we had any of the recent success but I have a soft spot for Millwall cos my Uncle Reg's dad was the last Millwall player to be a full England international back in 1938. Funny old world innit
Oh wow! Long time ago. I think it'll be interesting once Millwall crack the EPL. Can't wait to see those derbies
That is really the ugly side of football. I understand that passion and emotion are part of the game but every time it gets violent i thas to do something with the fans and not with the game. After all it is really just a game. Very interesting article! :)
Personally it is something that I find very interesting, it is impressive the feeling that a team can generate in its fans, however sometimes things get out of control and violence is not justified in any case, however as I said, it is nice to see people so supportive of their team.
Millwall don’t have a great reputation but then English football particularly in 70s and 80s was a shit show, it’s just that some of those clubs that were especially bad for hooliganism back then have better PR than lowly Millwall.
I’d say Chelsea are the most hated club in England. No one’s likes clubs who buy success especially ones being bank rolled by Putin’s best mate.
Their supporters have been involved in far more high profile incidents than Millwall’s in recent times. Hissing to simulate the sound of gas chambers when they play against Spurs, a club with a large Jewish following.
Millwall’s motto might be no one likes us we don’t care but apparently Chelsea’s is “we’re racist and that’s the way we like it”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zBeeZVd6urI
This poll from 7 years ago shows how disliked Chelsea are within London. Be interesting to see those numbers now. Also of note is how few people had come across Millwall fans yet had a negative view of them which does suggest a significant bias.
Wow thanks for the in depth share. It's very ugly seeing that about Chelsea in Paris. Pure filth that they're doing that away from their home city. Probably think they can get away with doing whatever they want with their gang mentality. I suppose being 17,000km away from London is a bit of a disconnect with the daily issues that occur within London.
Funnily enough, I'll be writing about Chelsea the day after tomorrow and how they're one of the most hated clubs in England.
I don't know much about this league but I have seen a film called "the Football Factory" where it depicts Millwall fans as being the worst. I don't know how true that is but it was entertaining.
I've heard of that film but never watched it!
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