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31st October Millwall 2 Bournemouth 0: The Lions progress into the erm, area quarter final of the Painit Pot after a relatively easy win against the Cherries. Williams scores the first and Ben May adds a second just two minutes after his season's debut. There is a freshness to the Lions play as the return of a few injured players shows the squad's strength in depth.
28th October Millwall 1 Port Vale 1: Something odd happens, as the Lions are so superior to the opposition that they fail to win because they can't break eleven men behind the ball down. A complete switch on the rest of the season. Zebroski opens the scoring, only to see a surprise equaliser by (another) Sodje cancel it out. Some Third Division passing, crossing and finishing add to the woes, but the continuous pressure makes it as enjoyable as can be expected...
...A season highlight is undoubtedly FA Cup Third Round draw day - Millwall get to enter two rounds earlier than that these days! Waterlooville and Havant, or is it Havant and Waterlooville? Anyway, it's likely to be at Portsmouth's ground, and could even be on telly.
27th October Millwall Holdings plc. statement: Directorate Change - Peter de Savary has, today, tendered his resignation from the Board of Millwall Holdings PLC and its subsidiary companies. The Board accepted his resignation and expressed their appreciation for his contributions to Millwall since his appointment to the Board eleven months ago. Heather Rabbatts CBE, the present Executive Deputy Chairman, will assume the responsibilities as of today as Executive Chairman of Millwall Holdings PLC. Stewart Till will continue as Chairman of Millwall Football Club. Michael Sarch will continue to support the development of the regeneration opportunity. Peter de Savary is quoted today as saying, "Due to a change in circumstances, I shall be spending the majority of my working time overseas and cannot, therefore, continue with the responsibilities as a Director of Millwall Holdings PLC. I am delighted to have recruited earlier this year Heather Rabbatts CBE, who I am confident will effectively assume the leadership role as Executive Chairman of Millwall Holdings PLC. I shall continue to hold my shares as a long term investor. I wish Millwall every success in both its football ambitions and in its unique opportunity of urban property regeneration which is progressing extremely well"
22nd October Swansea City 2 Millwall 0: Games like these are described as 'feisty encounters'. City are one of the best and most settled sides in the division, Millwall are not. The game played out that way. Danny Haynes hit the bar after two minutes in his last game, but Swansea quickly settled into gentle domination, scored two and saw Lennie Pidgeley save a penalty. The first shouldn't have counted, but refereeing aside, it was a predictable result...
...Willie Donachie admits afterwards, "They are a strong side and this is a difficult place. I thought it was a free kick before their first but the fans here are volatile and officials can be intimidated"...
...Swansea boss Kenny Jackett is happier, "We've been missing a lot of fight and fire because if you drop just five per cent and think this division will be easy then wins turn into draws." Which is just about spot on.
18th October Despite the patronising this tournament gets, whatever it's called, The Johnstone's Paint Trophy, as it named this season, represents the best chance our club will have of visiting the Millennium Stadium again in our lifetimes. After a bye in the first round the Lions are paired with Bournemouth at home on Tuesday 31st October.
16th October The nominations are out for European Footballer of the Year. Along with the likes of Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) and Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona) is Tim Cahill (Everton). It is the first time anyone that has ever played for Millwall, except for Lee Luscombe of course, has been nominated for the coveted Ballon d'or.
14th October A much improved home display, with the new found team spirit winning through against a well organised Bournemouth side. It's the spine what done it, as Pidgeley makes some important saves, Shaw commands the defence, Mawene does well in midfield and Haynes is dangerous in attack throughout, with hard working displays most notably from Hubertz and Hackett, who scored a great goal to seperate the sides. Willie Donachie also appears to be a lucky manager, as the visitors hit the post late on - with an effort that would have gone in if Spackman was still in the manager's seat...
...Manager elect Willie Donachie says, "They're a strong team and they made it hard for us, but you need the breaks, which is what we've had today." Mostly though, and this bit's always fun, he makes sure he praises the fans for the fourth game on the trot - what's he after? As if we didn't know...
...Two interesting rumours do the rounds prior to the match: The two other men in the frame for the big job are allegedly Andy Hessenthaler and Dave Penney. The other is that England under 18 goalkeeper Preston Edwards, will go to west ham in January because the club haven't offered him enough money. Oh, and his good mate Danny Haynes won't stay for a second month because of the paltry offer. Rumours are fun, and spread like wildfire at The Den.
10th October Chairman Till rejects increasing speculation regarding Huddersfield Town's Peter Jackson, "I can categorically state that we have no intention of contacting them and have no interest in their manager."
7th October Carlisle United 1 Millwall 2: A superb first half performance sees all the action. Alan Dunne scores his third in three games to silence the doubters, but Carlisle go straight up the other end to equalise with their first shot. The Lions' dominance reaps dividends with another for Poul Hubertz, before, again, Carlisle go straight up the other end to get a penalty. It is missed and the Lions hang on in the second half, surviving another penalty scare; this time it isn't awarded, and Willie Donachie's luck continues...
...Afterwards the stand in manager says, "The players worked very hard for this result and we got our little bit of luck as well"…
…Marvin Elliott was named captain for the first time. He also put in a captain's performance.
5th October An Ipswich Evening Star quote from joe potato head royle, "I won't be going there. In the first place there has been no contact from Millwall and in any case I wouldn't want to trespass on Willies' territory. He has felt for some time that he would like to have a crack at management. He has had a decent start, with a draw and a win, and I wish him well. I hope he gets it"
2nd October
Ray Wilkins leaves Millwall. Chairman Stewart Till explains,
"Ray was asked by the board to stay on for a period on
a consultancy basis during the summer. At that time we felt
that having someone of Ray's experience and football knowledge
to help and advise us would be a great advantage, and we are
grateful to him for fulfilling that role. It was always the
intention on both sides that once the season was underway
and everyone had become comfortable with their new roles,
Ray would leave us. That time has now arrived, and we thank
him for his help and support"…
…Huddersfield local press link Town manager Peter Jackson
with a move to the Den, which would reportedly cost Millwall
£300,000 in compensation.
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