Actor Frank Harper has recalled a terrifying street fight between Millwall and Leeds United hooligans on the streets of London. The Den and Elland Road were fearful grounds for away fans to visit throughout the 1980s and 90s, as some of the country's most notorious firms ruled the roost. And when it came for both sides to clash in leagues and cups, chaos more often than not ensued. While Leeds and Millwall are poles apart in terms of geography, their intense rivalry boils down to the fact that supporters of the two clubs simply don't like one another – despite the fact that they had only met on 10 occasions prior to 2004, with four of those clashes coming in the 1930s and 1940s.
As he was interviewed by Cass Pennant – former leader of West Ham's feared Inter City Firm – and author Martin King, Millwall fan Harper explained exactly how ugly it could get when the two sides came up against one another, noting one instance which boiled over before the teams had even met on the field. Harper revealed: "Leeds at home in the league. "I was in a pub and suddenly it emptied. The ones that couldn't get out the door were climbing out the toilet windows to get out on to the street. Thousands of Millwall came out of nowhere as bottles and glasses rained down on the Leeds lot.
"The Old Bill pulled a transit van across the pub doorway to try to stem the flow of Millwall fans. That day Leeds were dead lucky to reach the ground.". Thankfully, the fierce rivalry between the two firms has waned as of late, as police crack down on football hooliganism. It comes as the current EFL Championship leaders in Leeds play host to Millwall in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, with the 12.15pm kick off an aim to quell any potential fan trouble.
With 18 wins, nine draws and three losses to show for their current Championship campaign, Leeds sit at the top of the Championship – two points clear of second-place Sheffield United. And Daniel Farke will be hoping that their good run of form can continue into the FA Cup when the two sides meet at Elland Road. Leeds secured a 1-0 win over Harrogate Town in the last round of the competition, and will hope to utilise momentum from recent league performances. Millwall, meanwhile, languish in 13th in the Championship, meaning they've got nothing to lose in their bid to secure a place in the fifth round.
The Lions have 10 wins, draws and losses a-piece from their 30 games played thus far, and head into the fourth round of the FA Cup on a four-game unbeaten streak. They beat Dagenham and Redbridge 3-0 in the third round, and new boss Alex Neil will be hoping to capitalise on 'the magic of the cup' when they come up against old foes in Leeds. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
