Millwall's Caleb Taylor and Jake Cooper have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the Lions' defense, which has kept the most clean sheets in the Championship this season. Photograph: Getty Images
When Alex Neil told BBC Radio London that his players believe they are capable of winning games anywhere, it wasn't empty rhetoric. Millwall finished third in the Championship with 83 points—one more than they earned when they claimed the old Second Division title in 1987-88. Now they stand just two victories from the Premier League.
The Lions face Hull City in a two-legged play-off semi-final, with the first leg at MKM Stadium on Friday. If they overcome the Tigers, a final against either Southampton or Middlesbrough awaits—and with it, the chance to end a 36-year exile from the top tier.
"Given the financial implications of promotion to the Premier League, I actually think it would outshine the famous promotion of 1987-88," said Nick Hart, BBC Sport's Millwall fan writer and presenter of the Achtung! Millwall podcast. "The odds for one of the league's smaller clubs are stacked high against us, but this group has shown it belongs."
This season has been built on remarkable consistency. Since returning to the top six with a win over Swansea City on 4 January, Millwall have not fallen below fifth place. They lead the Championship with 17 clean sheets and have picked up 41 points away from home—the best road record in the league. All this was achieved despite an injury crisis that at one point sidelined every senior midfielder at the club.
Yet the journey to this moment has been marked by profound loss. Owner John Berylson died in a car crash in Cape Cod in July 2023, aged 70. Less than a year later, goalkeeper Matija Sarkic—only 26—was found dead while on holiday in his native Montenegro. The club held a touching tribute to Sarkic at their first game of the 2024-25 season before pursuing their play-off charge right to the campaign's final day.
Millwall's rich history includes memorable highs: Steve Morison's late winner against Bradford City in the 2016-17 League One play-off final at Wembley, and an FA Cup final appearance in 2004 against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. Now, a new generation has the opportunity to carve their own legacy. Femi Azeez, Camiel Neghli, and Mihailo Ivanovic are among the signings who have transformed the squad under Neil's leadership.
Whatever happens against Hull, this season already represents their highest finish since 1993-94. For a club that has known relegation, promotion, and unthinkable tragedy in equal measure, simply reaching this precipice feels like vindication. The roar of the Den awaits, and so does history.