"Just touching upon how other supporters see us and their perceived lack of history as far as Millwall FC is concerned, it always makes me laugh.
For example, in season 1937/38 when Leeds finished 9th in Division 1, their average attendance was around 21,000. We were a Division 3 (South) club....2 leagues below, yet averaged 22,500. In season 1938/39, Leeds' average had dropped to less than 20,000. Ours was up to 26,500, and would have been a few more had our Boxing Day game with West Ham not been postponed and played in midweek in front of nearly 30,000 less than had been anticipated in the original fixture. In that 38/39 season, by the way, more than half of our home games were played out in front of crowds topping 30,000.
Had not the ground and surrounding community been blitzed and our stand burned down during a wartime amateur cup final, the entire history of Millwall FC would have been very different, indeed. For there is no doubt that Millwall were a major football force on the rise at that time.
Here is a fact too : On September 3rd 1896 we thrashed the German FA XI 9-0 at Millwall. When did war break out....? September 3rd 1939. Adolf never forgave us for that humiliation of his country and was hell bent on revenge.
Please note the date: 1897. A mere 22 years before Leeds Utd OldCo were formed and well over a century before Leeds Newco was formed. By which time we had played in three FA Cup semi-final matches. Not bad for a club with no history..."
whiskylion
For example, in season 1937/38 when Leeds finished 9th in Division 1, their average attendance was around 21,000. We were a Division 3 (South) club....2 leagues below, yet averaged 22,500. In season 1938/39, Leeds' average had dropped to less than 20,000. Ours was up to 26,500, and would have been a few more had our Boxing Day game with West Ham not been postponed and played in midweek in front of nearly 30,000 less than had been anticipated in the original fixture. In that 38/39 season, by the way, more than half of our home games were played out in front of crowds topping 30,000.
Had not the ground and surrounding community been blitzed and our stand burned down during a wartime amateur cup final, the entire history of Millwall FC would have been very different, indeed. For there is no doubt that Millwall were a major football force on the rise at that time.
Here is a fact too : On September 3rd 1896 we thrashed the German FA XI 9-0 at Millwall. When did war break out....? September 3rd 1939. Adolf never forgave us for that humiliation of his country and was hell bent on revenge.
Please note the date: 1897. A mere 22 years before Leeds Utd OldCo were formed and well over a century before Leeds Newco was formed. By which time we had played in three FA Cup semi-final matches. Not bad for a club with no history..."
whiskylion
