Millwall hosts West Ham at The Den amid calls to ban away fans
The Championship clash this weekend revives a long‑standing rivalry, while former hoolician Cass Pennant urges that travelling supporters be excluded from future meetings.
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The Den will see Millwall and West Ham face each other in a Championship fixture on Saturday. The match marks the first competitive meeting between the two clubs since 2012, according to MyLondon.
Historical background of the derby
Police deploy 400 officers stop‑search powers for Millwall‑West Ham derby
The Metropolitan Police will use a Section 35 dispersal order and operate until 8 pm, with mounted units, dogs and facial‑recognition cameras on site.
The rivalry has produced several serious incidents. In 2009, a 44‑year‑old Millwall supporter was stabbed before kick‑off during a Carabao Cup tie at Upton Park, as reported by MyLondon. Earlier, in 1976, Millwall supporter Ian Pratt died after falling beneath a train during clashes with West Ham fans at New Cross.
Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green described the 2009 scene to The Athletic, saying the Millwall fans ripped up chairs and threw them onto the pitch, creating an atmosphere he called unsafe. Former Millwall goalkeeper David Forde called the night "extreme hooliganism".
Cass Pennant’s proposal
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The team drew goalless at Charlton Athletic on Wednesday night, missing four attacking players.
Cass Pennant, whose early life inspired a film, has written in his book *You’re Going Home in a F***ing Ambulance* that the only solution to the rivalry is to prevent away supporters from attending matches between the two clubs. MyLondon quoted the passage in which he states the final word on the two teams is that they should never meet, and that banning travelling fans is the only way to achieve that.
Final word on these two teams and their supporters is simply that they should NEVER meet, and the only way you can solve that is to ban away fans.
Cass Pennant, author
What residents can do
Local residents who are concerned about public order are advised to contact the Metropolitan Police’s football liaison team and to inform the clubs’ security officers of any planned gatherings. Both clubs have pledged to work with police to ensure a safe environment for supporters and neighbours.
Questions this report answers
+When is the Millwall versus West Ham match taking place?
The game is scheduled for Saturday at The Den, with Millwall hosting West Ham in a Championship fixture. It is the first competitive encounter between the two sides since 2012, and it will be watched by supporters from both clubs.
+What does Cass Pennant suggest should happen with future derbies?
In his recent book, Cass Pennant argues that travelling supporters should be barred from any future Millwall‑West Ham matches. He believes that removing away fans is the only way to prevent the historic hostility from resurfacing.
+What violent incidents have occurred in this rivalry before?
Two notable events are recorded: a 44‑year‑old Millwall fan was stabbed before kick‑off in the 2009 Carabao Cup tie at Upton Park, and in 1976 Millwall supporter Ian Pratt died after falling beneath a train during clashes at New Cross.
+How can local residents raise safety concerns about the derby?
Residents are encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Police football liaison team and to inform the security officers at both clubs. Reporting planned gatherings and any suspicious activity helps authorities plan policing and crowd‑control measures for the match.
News London Desk
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