“Nobody Likes Us, But We’re Coming Anyway” – Millwall In Focus

Swansea City return to home turf this Saturday for a lunchtime clash with Millwall. Kick-off is set for 12:30pm, and while the Swans look to build momentum, it’s the visitors who arrive with a reputation that precedes them. Grit, defiance, and a chant that echoes through the decades: “Nobody likes us, we don’t care.”

But who are Millwall, really? Beyond the headlines and terrace bravado, what defines this South London club? In this In Focus feature, we take a deeper look at the Lions. We’ll trace their history, decode their identity, and meet the fans who’ll be making (or dodging) the trip to South Wales. From rivalries to referees, from Alex Neil’s touchline temperament to the myth of Millwall’s unlovability, it’s all here.

Whether you’re a Swans diehard, a curious neutral, or just here for the drama, this one’s got bite.

🏟️ Who Are Millwall?

Millwall Football Club was founded in 1885 by workers from the Isle of Dogs in East London. Originally named Millwall Rovers, the club moved south of the river in 1910 and settled at The Den in New Cross. In 1993, they relocated to their current home, The New Den, just a few hundred yards away. The club has long been associated with working-class identity, resilience, and a fiercely loyal fanbase.

Historically, Millwall have spent most of their time bouncing between the second and third tiers of English football. Their highest-ever league finish came in 1989 when they placed tenth in the old First Division under manager John Docherty. That brief top-flight stint remains a high-water mark, though the club has enjoyed occasional cup runs, including reaching the FA Cup final in 2004. They lost 3–0 to Manchester United but qualified for the UEFA Cup due to United’s Champions League spot.

In recent years, Millwall have been a steady Championship presence. They flirted with the play-offs under Neil Harris and Gary Rowett, often punching above their weight. The club’s identity remains rooted in defiance and community, with The New Den still one of the more intimidating away days in the division.

🎤 Nobody Likes Them — Or So They Say

“Nobody likes us, we don’t care” isn’t just a chant. It’s a cultural badge, a defiant shrug, and arguably the most famous line associated with Millwall Football Club. The origins of the phrase are hard to pin down precisely, but it gained traction in the 1970s and 80s, a period when Millwall’s reputation for hooliganism was at its most notorious. The chant became a way for fans to embrace the hostility they faced, turning criticism into identity.

Millwall’s firm, once among the most feared in English football, played a role in shaping that image. The club’s name became shorthand for trouble, and away days at The Den were often avoided by the faint-hearted. But times have changed. The New Den is a far cry from the chaos of the past, and the club has worked hard to shed its darker associations. Community outreach, anti-racism initiatives, and youth engagement have all helped reshape the narrative.

Still, the chant remains. It’s less about actual dislike and more about perceived alienation. Millwall fans know the stereotype and lean into it. But ask around the Championship and you’ll find plenty of respect for the club’s resilience, its loyal support, and its ability to punch above its weight. Nobody likes them? That depends who you ask. But one thing’s certain — they care a lot more than they let on.

🧭 Who Are Their Rivals?

Millwall’s fiercest rivalry is with West Ham United. The animosity between the two clubs dates back to the early 20th century, rooted in dockyard competition and working-class pride. Though they’ve rarely shared a division in recent decades, the rivalry remains one of the most intense in English football. When they do meet, it’s not just a game, it’s a flashpoint.

Other rivalries include Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic, both South London neighbours. These fixtures carry local bragging rights but lack the historical venom of Millwall versus West Ham. Palace have spent much of the last decade in the Premier League, while Charlton have drifted between the Championship and League One, making meetings with Millwall sporadic at best.

As for the future, a Millwall and West Ham derby remains unlikely unless the Hammers suffer relegation or the Lions mount a promotion charge. Palace and Charlton are more plausible opponents, but fixture lists and league positions rarely align. For now, Millwall’s rivalries live more in memory than in the calendar, although Graham Potter is doing his best to make the derby a dream for Millwall fans.

🧠 The Manager — Alex Neil

Alex Neil was appointed Millwall manager on December 30, 2024, replacing Neil Harris, who departed earlier that month after a difficult run of results. Harris, a club legend with deep ties to The Den, left behind a legacy of promotion and passion. Neil’s arrival signalled a shift in tone, pragmatic, experienced, and quietly ambitious.

Born in Bellshill, Scotland, Neil’s playing career included spells at Barnsley and Mansfield before he settled at Hamilton Academical, where he transitioned into management. He made headlines in 2015 when, at just 33, he led Norwich City to Premier League promotion via the play-offs. That early success marked him as one of the Football League’s brightest young managers, though subsequent spells at Preston North End, Sunderland, and Stoke City were more mixed. At each club, Neil showed tactical clarity and a willingness to develop young talent, but sustaining momentum proved elusive.

At Millwall, Neil has leaned into the club’s identity. His teams are compact, aggressive, and built to frustrate. He favours a 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2 depending on personnel, with an emphasis on midfield control and quick transitions. Early signs suggest he’s winning over the fanbase. Results have been steady, and performances have carried the kind of bite Millwall supporters expect.

Neil’s touchline demeanour is intense. He’s animated, vocal, and unafraid to challenge officials. That edge has made him a natural fit for The New Den, where passion is currency. He’s also shown a willingness to blood younger players, with Zak Lovelace and Romain Esse both earning minutes under his watch.

Replacing Harris was never going to be easy. Neil doesn’t have the emotional connection to the club, but he brings clarity, discipline, and over 300 Championship matches of experience. Whether he can push Millwall into the play-off conversation remains to be seen. The Championship is unforgiving, and resources are tight. But if anyone can turn defiance into momentum, it’s a manager who once said, “I don’t do safe. I do what wins.”

🎙️ Fan Interview — “We’re Not Here for the Views”

Meet Darren, 42, a Millwall season ticket holder from Bermondsey who’s been following the Lions since the late 80s. He’s seen the highs, the fights, the false dawns, and the occasional miracle. But when it comes to away days, he’s selective. This weekend, he’s staying put.

“I’m not making the trip to Swansea,” he says. “It’s not the distance, it’s the timing. Half twelve on a Saturday? You’re talking a crack-of-dawn train, overpriced pints, and back home before Match of the Day. I’ll watch it on the stream and shout at the telly like the rest of us.”

Darren’s view of the fixture is pragmatic. “Swansea are tidy. They move the ball well, and they’ve got a few who can hurt you. But we’re no pushovers. Alex Neil’s got us organised, and if we nick one early, we’ll make it ugly. That’s what we do.”

He’s not interested in the aesthetics. “We’re not here for the views. We’re here to win. People talk about style. I talk about points. If we come away with a draw, I’ll take it. If we win, I’ll be unbearable for a week.”

Asked about the “Nobody likes us” tag, Darren shrugs. “It’s true, isn’t it? We’re not everyone’s cup of tea. But we don’t want to be. We’re Millwall. We don’t do cuddly.”

As for the rest of the season, he’s cautiously optimistic. “Mid-table’s fine. Play-offs would be a bonus. But I just want to see fight. That’s all we ask. Show up, dig in, and don’t let anyone walk over us.”

🧑‍⚖️ The Referee — Dean Whitestone

Saturday’s clash at the Swansea.com Stadium will be officiated by Dean Whitestone, a vastly experienced referee from Northamptonshire. With over 550 professional matches under his belt, Whitestone is a familiar figure across the EFL and has taken charge of numerous Swansea fixtures over the years, including three last season.

This will be his first Swans assignment of the current campaign. So far in 2025–26, he’s overseen five matches and issued 14 yellow cards, suggesting a steady hand rather than a trigger-happy one. He’s not known for dramatic interventions, but he does command authority and tends to let the game flow when possible.

Whitestone will be assisted by Daniel Leach and Hristo Karaivanov on the touchlines, with James Durkin acting as fourth official.

For Millwall, Whitestone is a known quantity. He’s officiated several of their fixtures in recent seasons, with mixed results. While not considered controversial, he’s had moments where tempers have flared, particularly in high-stakes games. His style suits teams that play with structure and discipline, which could favour Alex Neil’s setup if Millwall stay compact.

Expect a no-nonsense approach, minimal theatrics, and a referee who won’t be swayed by crowd noise. Whether that benefits the home side or not remains to be seen.

🔮 The Prediction — Grit Over Glamour

This won’t be pretty. Millwall rarely do pretty, and Swansea, for all their technical polish, have struggled to turn possession into points. Expect a clash of styles: the Swans probing, passing, and trying to stretch the game, while Millwall compress space, disrupt rhythm, and look for moments of chaos.

Alex Neil’s side will arrive organised and unafraid. They’ll press in bursts, sit deep when needed, and try to make the Liberty feel smaller than it is. Swansea will need patience, composure, and a bit of bite themselves. If they get dragged into a scrap, Millwall will fancy it.

The key battle could be in midfield. If Swansea can control the tempo and avoid turnovers in dangerous areas, they’ll create chances. But if Millwall get joy from second balls and set pieces, it could be a long afternoon.

Score prediction: Swansea City 1–1 Millwall

A draw feels likely. One goal each, a few bruises, and plenty to argue about on the forums.

🧵 Final Whistle — All Eyes on Saturday

So here we are. Swansea against Millwall, a fixture that rarely flatters but often delivers. The Swans will want control, tempo, and a clean sheet. Millwall will want disruption, bite, and a moment to pounce. Both sides have reason to believe, and both know how quickly belief can unravel in the Championship.

The narratives are set. Alex Neil’s Millwall are building something stubborn. Swansea are searching for fluency and consistency. The referee won’t be swayed, the fans will be loud, and the margins will be thin.

Whether it’s a scrappy draw, a late winner, or a flashpoint that dominates the post-match chatter, this one matters. Not because it’s glamorous — but because it’s real. Grit, tension, and ninety minutes that could shape the mood heading into October.

See you at the dot com.