Milwall Football

21.10.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

My adrenaline is still flowing, I can hear the sound of the police helicopter overhead watching the crowd dissipate and providing an eye in the sky for police operations. It is now two hours since I left the Millwall Football Stadium. I have this weekend off and planned a weekend of rest and relaxation. Last week was very hectic. It was my plan to recuperate and get base camp stocked and tidy.

Being in close proximity to the stadium, car parking in this area is a premium prior to a game. The streets are decked out with no parking signs and the main gate to our complex is shut. This means I could not get out, by car, if I wanted to. I thought that I cant beat them so I may as well join them. I had a quick feed and cuppa and joined the throngs heading for the ticket booths. I really didn’t know the set up and the seating arrangements so I thought I’d get in the middle somewhere in the west stand.

I was surprised to see Mounted Police outside the gate. The horses were well protected with plastic visors to protect their eyes. Their legs were also protected from the knees to the hoof. The coppers on top had special helmets with a strong visor that could be pulled down. In the saddle in front of their legs there is a leather bag containing fire arms and truncheons. Each police officer had radio communication and presented an impressive sight. Once I had taken all this in I stood back and observed the very high police presence both uniformed and non uniformed. I think the club must also have a very high degree of security which is well organised and presents a high profile with their hi-vis jackets.

Being about an hour before the game I thought I ‘d head on in to the stadium, grabbing a coffee an chips and a Millwall Official Match Day Magazine.

Today’s game was against Nottingham Forest a team two places higher on the league division. My seat was in a great position and was easily found. Two rows back from the fence about twenty meters from the half way mark and the tunnel. I was full of anticipation as I read the Magazine an swilled my coffee. I thought that the crowd was going to be small as there were a lot of seats around me unfilled with about 20 minutes to kick off. I was wrong. Soon a swag of pissed people arrived all dressed in the Millwall Football Supporters Colours. I was soon surrounded by ardent Millwall fans.

The east stadium is kept especially for the visitors supporters and fans. Initially it was only a quarter full, even after kick off it was only half full. Within 20 minutes of the game though it was full. Singing and barracking broke out as the Millwall team scored first. This provoked a response from the Nottingham supporters with well rehearsed chants and songs.

We are Millwall, We are Millwall, We are Millwall. No one loves us and we don’t care etc etc. the atmosphere was charge and tensions running high. The score see sawed all day and the tension ratcheted up as the visitors went 3 to 2 up. I was taken by an idiot sitting in front of me. He was pumped full of adrenalin and offering advice to everyone that would listen. Full voice amplified by channelling it through the rolled up magazine. To watch his behaviour was as interesting as the game. In the final minute in injury time Millwall popped in the back of the net, equalising the game 3 all.

Crowd numbers where announce as about 20,000 all pushing and shoving trying to get out the gate all the same time. I held back to let the majority of them move ahead. Only when I reached the outside of the stadium did I get an appreciation of the police presence. There was a line of fifty police with riot shields standing in a wall separating the visitors and the Millwall fans. Behind the line of police where six mounted police with even more protection on the officers and horses than I previously described. I struck up a conversation with a bloke and asked if this was normal police presence. He looked at me as though I was from another planet but did take his time to explain some of the history of the “Den” and past riots that have occurred here. The high police presence is a major proactive initiative to endeavour to keep trouble to a minimum. I think I have wetted my appetite for soccer and will go to a premier division game in the ear future. In the past I have only watched amateurs playing and the skill level today was impressive.

We have had a sad week with the passing of Nana the matriarch of our family. Bev went back to New Zealand to be with the family. Prior to my departure I had said goodbye to Nana. She had said she would hang on until I come home again for a visit in April 2002. this wasn’t to be. I will miss her. She was a special person. Len passed away twelve months ago so my mood has been down a bit with all the reflections going on in my mind.

All the best to everyone..

I wonder what will happen next.

Alvin

England Manager