Millwall and West Ham meet again after 14 years of rivalry

Millwall and West Ham face each other at The Den this Saturday, the first match between the teams in 14 years. The reunion reignites a rivalry marked by episodes of violence and the presence of reinforced police forces.

Historic Rivalry Between Millwall and West Ham

The rivalry's roots trace back to the clubs' founding by shipbuilding companies on the Isle of Dogs in East London, and it is fueled more by hooligan elements than by on-field clashes.

Incidents That Marked the Confrontation

In 2009, during the second round of the League Cup at West Ham's former stadium, Upton Park, a 44-year-old fan was stabbed in the chest, and the match was interrupted when supporters invaded the pitch after a Hammers goal.

Other incidents include the presence of police horses in 2004, when West Ham fans vandalized seats during a 4-1 defeat, and the death of a Millwall supporter, Ian Pratt, in 1976, following a confrontation with West Ham fans at New Cross station.

Police Measures for the Match

The Metropolitan Police have been granted special powers to maintain order, limiting ticket sales to 1,774 for West Ham fans and using the dedicated walkway connecting South Bermondsey station to the away section as a means of separating the fan bases.

Recent Team Performance

West Ham enters the clash on a four-game winning streak in the league and leads the Championship after defeating Wrexham 6-0 in the previous round.

Millwall, under Alex Neil, finished last season close to automatic promotion but now sits in tenth position after an inconsistent start and has some key absences.

Expectations for the Clash

Historically, Millwall has an advantage in games at The Den, with a streak of five matches without defeat against West Ham since 1988. West Ham, on the other hand, usually faces more difficulties as visitors, although they won at Upton Park in 2012.

With tension still present and the reinforced presence of authorities, the fans' focus seems to be more on safety than on the sporting spectacle, although both clubs aim to consolidate their objectives in the competition.

With information from The Guardian.