Millwall v Leeds United

Wednesday 6th November 2024 - The Den

2024/25 Season

Before starting my blog, a story has emerged that the Mick Jones I was introduced to on Saturday was not our Mick Jones. The last time I saw the real one was at a Leeds United Legends do run by Tony Dunn, so it wasn’t surprising that I thought he had deteriorated so badly. As to the person I was introduced to, he told me he had terminal lung cancer, and I do think he had some sort of dementia. Either his name really was Mick Jones, as he printed the name out on a shirt which I have a photo of him doing, or he really does think he is him. When I asked him where he was living, he had to ask someone else, and they said Wolverhampton. I knew our Mick came from Sheffield so thought he must have moved but he could not recall me being part of his backing group when he sang at a Supporters Club event at Fullerton Park in the 70s. It’s very sad for him whatever happened but I’m so glad that our Mick is not terminally ill.

Having just got back home at 4.30am, we had the usual M1 closures on the way home plus we ground to a halt after an accident so have had an approximate 20 hour round trip. I did go in early for the coach to drop my granddaughter off at college though. By getting there early I took the time to look in the club shop and could have spent a fortune. Sadly, it’s a choice of going to the football games in person or not so I came away empty handed. After a good run down to London, we had a leisurely stop in Greenwich before being the first coach to get to the ground. I wasn’t allowed to bring my bag in with me only the one with my flag in which was an even bigger bag but clear. After having a look at it to see that it was a good flag, the steward told me it could be hung up at the back of the stand and couldn’t be hung up at the front and I was allowed to take my water in. I’d not felt too bad today until I stood up in the pub and went dizzy. I don’t drink alcohol, had eaten and been drinking so put it down to still being on antibiotics. I did go into the seats early and was glad that I was on the front row as I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand up all the game. As there was nowhere to hang my flag up, I kept it with me.

Shropshire Whites saw their flag being taken down when they’d hung it up at the front. None of the flags were provocative so I cannot understand why clubs are so against them being hung up.

Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, Bogle, Firpo, Gnonto, James, Rothwell, Tanaka, Piroe, Aaronson.

Subs: Solomon for Rothwell (72), Joseph for Gnonto (80), Bamford for Bogle (80).

Subs not used: Darlow, Schmidt, Crew, Byram, Guilavogui, Wöber

Leeds lost the game 1-0

Attendance: 16,693, 2,035 Leeds fans

Referee: Leigh Doughty

Booked: Firpo

Millwall started the stronger of the sides with the referee blowing his whistle for every little tackle in their favour, even when Leeds won the ball. It was a very fast paced game, and we had so much possession, although our three shots on target in the first half were quite soft with no power in them which their keeper saved easily. I’d said we needed to change that possession into goals but then got that feeling that they would score with their first real attack, which turned out to be the case just before half time. That was disappointing but I still felt we could get something out of the game at that point.

The second half saw us attacking the goal in front of the Leeds fans as we started off strongly. Gnonto came in with the ball from the right, went past two defenders on the edge of the box but instead of then shooting on sight, he carried on to the other side of the box where he lost the ball. I found that frustrating as a gap had appeared and he should have had a go at goal. James had a couple of shots saved by the keeper, but we didn’t really trouble him apart from having a goal chalked off for offside. I got a great photo of us looking onside but apparently replays showed Piroe offside sadly. That would have put a different perspective on the game in my opinion. It wasn’t to be as the whistle blew for full time with us being defeated by the first half goal. What their keeper did next was baffling, as he goaded the Leeds fans with excessive celebrations. I hadn’t heard him getting any stick either, but it was very unprofessional, and he should be pulled up for it.

I also saw the game differently to so many people today too. I thought we deserved a draw especially as we had a goal chalked off. Whether it is because losing a game isn’t the be all and end all after everything my family and I are going through, I’m not sure. Thank you to everyone for the hugs and support after the death of my husband which are greatly appreciated. I know I’m not the only one going through challenges and traumas and I send all my love to those that I know of. Losing in London, happens more times than not and it was never going to be an easy place to go to, so I think I just accepted the defeat.

We are back at Elland Road on Saturday for the visit of QPR where our respects will be made for Armistice Day. There will also be a collection for guide dogs at the Peacock.

See you then LUFC – Marching on Together!