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31st January And the big transfer
deadline day action for the Lions - Gavin Grant goes to Grays
Athletic! Yep, that’s it.
30th January Oddly, the FA Youth
Cup has been completely drawn. If the youngsters beat Newcastle
they will play either Swindon or Burnley in the quarter final.
If they win that they will play one of Sheffield United, Middlesbrough,
reading or Liverpool. The final will be against; Manchester
United, crystal palace, arsenal, Barnsley, Birmingham, Bristol
City, Cardiff or Sunderland. Phew.
29th January Willie Donachie’s
midfield player chase concludes with the signing of Dave Brammer
from Stoke City. The manager says, "I've been on about
needing experienced players and Dave was uppermost in my mind
when I said that." The player also speaks, "It's
great to be wanted. Willie's determination to get me here
was certainly a factor for me." He’s obviously
cost a few bob then.
28th January Young Michael Bostwick
joins Dave Savage at Rushden & Diamonds.
27th January
Scunthorpe United 3 Millwall 0: A marginally better
performance than the midweek effort, but the same, and thoroughly
deserved, scoreline. The home side were League leaders and
confirmed their superiority against our bottom of the table
strugglers with an emphatic display...
...Willie Donachie says,
“I thought it was a matter of time before they did something,
which is why I changed it, but they got the goal.”
23rd January
Northampton Town 3 Millwall 0: A right old humbling
at the Sixfields. Sean Dyche gobbled up the aerial lumpery
and the Cobblers ran out easy winners against a barely trying
Lions side, who must have though the previous goal counted...
...Needless to say manager
Willie isn’t pleased, “I felt we were becoming
consistent, but we let ourselves down. From a passion and
effort point of view we didn’t want it as much as they
did.”
20th January
Millwall 4 Rotherham United 0: Darren Byfield wraps
up Neil Harris's memorable day with the best goal many of
us will ever see a Millwall player score. Harris obviously
takes home the match ball for his record breaking goal, but
Byfield goes to ten for the season and Chris Zebroski caps
his best Millwall display with his third. It is a very impressive
win, with the Lions looking in complete control throughout
for the first time this season...
...Willie
Docherty is clearly happy with the 'new' man, "Neil was
superb today. He really deserved his goal and I am very happy
for him. In the two games he has played, and in training,
he has been an example"...
...Talking of Darren Byfield
- serious speculation mounts about a move to Swansea City
- because he wasn't happy at being booed before Christmas.
Deserved or not, if this is the case, it could be stand abuse
that could cost the club severely.
19th January Zoumana Bakayogo
joins Brighton until the end of the season on loan. Seagulls
boss Dean Wilkins says, "He's good in one on one situations
and gives us options." yes, but you should see his defending!
18th January
Ben May and former Lion Glen Johnson are nicked at Dartford
B&Q for nicking a toilet seat - you just couldn't make
it up!..
...Darren Byfield reveals
why he has tried to leave the club in the Southwark news,
“Maybe I look like I’m not bothered, I don’t
know what they think, but it’s been hard for me. It’s
not nice when you go to away games and your name’s being
called and your own fans are booing you. It’s not nice
when you’re playing at home and the fans are singing
songs and telling you to fuck off. I’ve never had this
before.”
17th January
The all-important goal comes from Joe O'Rourke, as the young
Lions beat Everton in the FA Youth Cup. Newcastle away block
their path to the quarter finals...
...Despite
a slow start, manager Donachie hints at a lot of player movement
at The Den, "Usually everything goes a bit mad the week
before the window closes"...
...Another civil liberties
issue - The Football League decide that smokers will have
to nip outside for a fag from next season onwards. To think,
the Taylor Report cost clubs millions.
16th January
In a behind closed doors friendly at Ipswich, the Lions trial
Dartford left winger Dave Martin and Fisher's Damien Scannell.
The purpose is to sign Martin, but almost straight after palace
do a behind backs deal to sign him for £25,000...
...The idea was to replace
Fil Morais, who leaves on loan until the end of the season
for St. Johnstone. Their manager Owen Coyle says, "He
is a right sided midfielder and I have high hopes of him."
Aah, a right sided bottle job, instead of left - now that's
where we went wrong.
13th January
Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Millwall 1: A great
lob by Darren Byfield proves the difference in a most welcome
win at the Withdean. It's backs to the wall a bit at the end,
but Paul Robinson in particular, is immense. The day is all
about Neil Harris though. A return to the side and a voice
in the dressing room. Exactly what we need. And now for the
all important goal...
...Willie Donachie is happy,
"We're getting to where we want to be. We got an ugly
win. In the first half they had a couple of chances, but I
thought the team were outstanding in the second half."
11th January Chairman Till reveals
that Neil Harris’ deal isn’t as straightforward
as people have been led to believe, “”Neil has
signed until the end of the season, but if he reaches certain
targets it will trigger another year. He was offered longer
deals but there was an emotional aspect.”
9th January
Danny Senda signs n 18 month deal before saying, “They’re
a great bunch of lads...” Have these people only got
ten sentences between them?..
...“The Board of
Millwall Holdings plc ("Millwall") announces that
Mr Richard Towner has retired from the Board of the Company
on 8 January 2007. Mr Towner, aged 70, joined the board of
Millwall Holdings in June 1997. The Board would like to thank
Mr Towner for all of his hard work, support and commitment
to the Company over these last years.”
8th January
Frantic negotiations see Neil Harris sign an 18 month deal.
After less than 10 goals in over 70 games since his departure
it is hardly surprising that the striker says, "To come
back and play in front of the fans here again, and also to
try to become the sole club record holder, is something I
have dreamed about. I can't wait to get started"...
...The young Lions will
play Everton away in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
5th January
Stoke City 2 Millwall 0: In a FA Cup third round
match devoid of talent from both sides it surprises few that
what football is played is by the side that isn't managed
by Tony Pulis. The endeavour does not bring rewards as Willie
Donachie again plays without wingers. City look better in
the second period and a second Elliott own goal of the season
sends the Lions packing. Fuller adds another at the end...
...A disappointed Willie
Donachie says, "Our players need to show more commitment
than that. I was very disappointed in their attitude. I want
to see more bravery, passion and aggression from Millwall
players."
2nd January
Derek McInnes officially signs for St Johnstone and says,
"I went there in the summer on a two-year deal, but with
an understanding that I would review things after six months
to see how I was getting on with the travelling - my family
stayed on in Scotland - but I missed the family when I was
down south during the week and my wife is pregnant so I felt
it was right to come back to Scotland. Millwall are such a
professional club with great facilities and I would have loved
to have gone there earlier in my career. It was just a case
of the right club at the wrong time"...
...The Northampton away
game is re-arranged for 23rd January. Half price to get in
if you've already been there this season - bargain.
1st January
Millwall 4 Gillingham 1: A second four goal drubbing
in a matter of days sees the Lions wipe the smiles from the
latest bogie side. Darren Byfield gets a penalty assisted
hat-trick and Chris Zebroski adds another to his bulging account.
This time Byfield is cheered off the pitch...
...Manager
Donachie smiles, "I told the players at half time that
I could have taken any of them off because they were all poor,
but they responded well in the second half."
...Gills
boss Ronnie Jepson offers an alternative spin, "A couple
of their goals were debatable and I thought we were in charge
in the opening 45 minutes"...
...New
Year, new window rumours include: Neil Harris, Robbie Ryan,
Bury striker Bishop, a Reading midfielder, Danny Cadamarteri,
a Southend United reserve, Tottenham youngster Yeates, plus
the cast Bromley's panto when it closes...
…Alan
Dunne celebrates a new contract by making his 100th appearance
in all competitions...
...A bit
of a minor player round-up: Alan brooks, Adam Cottrell, Liam
Trotter and Charlie Lee all leave or are scheduled to leave.
Oh, one other minor player off - Kevin Braniff. The streamers
are out the street parties begin...
…Jeff Whitley
apparently wants too much money to come, which leaves the
Lions to look elsewhere.
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