Security fears as Millwall focus on sideshow

14 April 2012

Millwall manager Dennis Wise has been at pains to point out the club's priorities in recent days. Forget Europe or the Carling Cup tie against Liverpool next month. Making the play-offs and chasing the Premiership dream is the focus of his attentions.

And yet, arriving here in the Hungarian capital ahead of tonight's UEFA Cup first round second leg, it is impossible to put a lid on the excitement surrounding the south London club's first historic foray into Europe.

"Promotion from the Championship is the most important thing for us," said striker Neil Harris, toeing the party line. "But you could feel the atmosphere at the airport when we arrived in Hungary. Everybody is up for this.

"It would be an honour to play because it is an historic game for the club. Just getting here was a big thing for us. It is exciting for the players and the fans and is uncharted territory. When I joined the club in 1998 I think we were 18th in Division Two and would not have dreamed we would go this far."

Captain Kevin Muscat added: "The UEFA Cup represents a big carrot for a lot of us. The chance to go further in Europe might not come again.

"Getting into the play-offs is the main thing, but that does not mean we will throw in the towel against Ferencvaros."

The anticipation hasn't been dulled by the disappointment which accompanied Millwall's first-leg surrender.

Having taken the lead through a Wise free-kick and dominated the match, they threw the advantage away conceding a late goal scored by Pete Lipscei.

But there is trepidation too. Up to 1,000 Millwall supporters have travelled here without tickets in the hope of buying them on the black market. That could swell numbers here to around 2,200 when the official travelling fans are taken into account.

There were reports of minor outbreaks of trouble in the city centre last night and Millwall say at least six known hooligans were stopped from travelling by police yesterday. Followers of Ferencvaros have a reputation for trouble and there have been concerns over security and the state of the stadium. UEFA have put tonight's game in their high-risk category and are sending a security official to observe.

Millwall's head of security, Ken Chapman, said: "It would be a great achievement if we could return home with a good result and no major incidents off the pitch.

"It would show how far we have come and on the basis of the strides we have made, we have reason to be hopeful.

"There are the potential ingredients for problems but I hope they will not come together. One of the difficulties could be with the stadium, and I doubt it would get a safety certificate in England.

"In the away section there were broken seats and completely blocked views among other things when we last visited and we must hope our complaints about them have been acted on."

A win tonight or a high-scoring draw would see Millwall book their place in the group stage, a massive achievement for a club that continue to defy critics and make steady progress.

Wise's side made the FA Cup final last season for the first time and were in the running for the play-offs. Financially, the club looks in good shape as well.

European progress would almost certainly attract new investors to the club where chairman Theo Paphitis plans to step down at the end of the season. The hope, again, is tempered with caution. A return of the hooligans which have haunted the club for so many years would drive fresh investors away.

For tonight, however, Millwall will discard thoughts of the play-offs and the future. This evening is all about making history and forgetting the past.

Live on Setanta Sport 1, pay-per-view, 8pm

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Security fears as Millwall focus on sideshow

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