Into the Lion’s Den
This weekend I will be visiting The Den, home of Millwall Football Club.
They will be playing a friendly against Belgian Pro League team Royal Antwerp.
For us, this will be the first of two friendly games in the capital over the next couple of weekends.
I will be putting in quite a few miles of travelling over the foreseeable weeks, but more on that as we get to it.
It will be interesting to see how popular this fixture will be with the travelling Antwerp fans. Will there be just a handful, or will they bring over a large following?
You never quite know with these kinds of fixtures, but we all saw the videos of over 6,500 Hansa Rostock fans at Watford this past weekend.
My last visit to Millwall was way back in 1988 at the old Den, with the Lions running out 2-0 winners over Mick Mills’ Stoke City.
A more formidable place to visit as an away fan, I have yet to visit, and I hope the welcome at the new stadium will be much warmer today than it was back then…
There was an interesting connection between today and last week.
While talking to a Pollok fan in the Quaich Bar, I was told that Millwall FC was formed by Scottish dockworkers, and that is where the lion and the dark blue colour shirt come from.
More useless trivia like this coming your way very soon.
For now, let’s get on with today’s review.
Millwall – The Journey
A long day lay ahead, and it started with me walking to the bus station to catch the 06:30 X1 bus to Newcastle.
It was a lovely sunny morning, with just a hint of the night’s chill still in the air.
The bus arrived on time, and I boarded, arriving in Newcastle at 07:25.
After making the walk from John Dobson Street to Central Station, I waited for my train south.
The 07:53 Lumo Service to London King’s Cross arrived on time, and we set off.
As we got towards the Peterborough area, I noticed the train slowing down and a few minutes later, an announcement was made.
Unfortunately, someone had been hit and killed by a train further down the line, and this affected all subsequent trains.
What this meant in real terms was we arrived at King’s Cross at 11:22.
I quickly headed out of King’s Cross and down into King’s Cross/St Pancras underground station.
From here, I caught the 11:34 Victoria Line southbound tube to Green Park, arriving 8 minutes later.
After transitioning to the Jubilee Line (thank you to whoever made this easy with plenty of signs), I caught the 11:55 service to Bermondsey.
This left a ten-minute walk to my chosen watering hole.
While I walk there, why not have a read about Bermondsey?
Bermondsey
Bermondsey is in the London Borough of Southwark, in southeast London.
It lies on the south bank of the River Thames, with The Den being at the southeastern edge of Bermondsey.
The Den is around 2 miles southeast of Tower Bridge and 4.5 miles southwest of the O2 Arena in Greenwich.
The City of London sits just across the river, while fierce rivals, West Ham United, play approximately 6 miles to the northeast, and King’s Cross station is a little over 5 miles to the northwest.
Hetton-le-Hole is 280 miles to the north.
At the 2021 Census, the combined population of North and South Bermondsey was 31,319.
Bermondsey takes its name from the Old English ‘Beornmundes īeg‘, meaning ‘Beornmund’s island.’ The name refers to a piece of higher, drier ground surrounded by marshland beside the River Thames.
Early History
Bermondsey’s history stretches back to the Anglo-Saxon period. The area was already established before the Norman Conquest and appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. During the medieval period, it became an important religious centre following the establishment of Bermondsey Abbey, which grew into one of the wealthiest monasteries in England.
For centuries, Bermondsey remained a small settlement surrounded by fields, marshes and riverside land. Its location beside the Thames, however, made it an ideal place for trade, transport and industry. As London expanded, Bermondsey gradually became absorbed into the growing capital.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, the district had developed a reputation for manufacturing. Industries such as leather tanning, hide processing and food production flourished, helped by the plentiful water supply and easy access to the river. Warehouses, wharves and workshops lined the Thames, while markets and small businesses supported the growing population.
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution accelerated Bermondsey’s development. The docks along the Thames expanded rapidly, bringing employment to thousands of local people. Leather production became particularly important, earning Bermondsey a reputation as one of Britain’s leading centres for the tanning trade. Biscuit making, food processing and engineering also played major roles in the local economy.
As industry grew, so did the population. Rows of terraced housing were built for dock workers and factory employees, creating the closely packed streets that became characteristic of Victorian Bermondsey. Despite difficult living conditions for many residents, strong local communities developed around churches, schools and workplaces.
By the early 20th century, Bermondsey had become one of London’s busiest industrial districts. Its docks, warehouses and factories played a vital role in supplying goods throughout the capital and beyond.
During the Second World War, Bermondsey suffered extensive damage during the Blitz. Its riverside docks and industries made it a frequent target for German bombing, and many homes, businesses and historic buildings were destroyed or badly damaged.
Post War
Following the Second World War, Bermondsey underwent major rebuilding. Much of the bomb damage was cleared, and large council housing estates replaced many of the older Victorian streets. At the same time, London’s docks gradually declined as container shipping moved to larger ports downstream.
The closure of the Surrey Commercial Docks brought significant economic change, and many traditional industries disappeared during the second half of the 20th century. Former warehouses and dock buildings were gradually converted into homes, offices and creative workspaces.
Today, Bermondsey is one of London’s fastest-changing districts. Regeneration has transformed many former industrial areas while preserving important reminders of the past. Attractions such as Bermondsey Street, Maltby Street Market and the riverside walk attract visitors alongside a growing number of independent cafés, galleries and businesses.
Bermondsey forms part of the wider London Borough of Southwark, alongside neighbouring districts including Rotherhithe, Walworth, Peckham and Borough. Together they create one of the capital’s most varied and historic areas.
From an Anglo-Saxon settlement and medieval abbey to a centre of leather tanning, docklands and modern regeneration, Bermondsey has continually adapted to changing times. Its industrial heritage remains visible alongside modern developments, giving the district a unique character within London.
Notable People from Bermondsey
Actors, Gary Beadle and his brother, Rikki Beadle-Blair, Madeline Duggan, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Jamie Foreman, Roland Manookian, Sidney Morgan, and Gillian Wright.
Music artists, James Devlin, Mark Feltham, Greentea Peng Wee Willie Harris, Kwabs, Julie Rogers, and one of my mother’s favourites, Tommy Steele
TV presenters & personalities, Michael Barrymore and Jade Goody; Novellist, R. F. Delderfield, and stuntman, Rocky Taylor.
In the world of sport, Bermondsey is represented by:
Professional wrestler, Joe D’Orazio; Boxers, David Haye and Lloyd Honeyghan, and Olympic gold cyclist, Charles Henry Bartlett.
Footballers, Trevor Aylott, Jason Brown, Dennis Burnett, Katie Chapman, Leon Cort, Alan Dorney, George Fisher, Gilly Flaherty, Jordon Ibe, and Deji Oshilaja.
Locals Know Best (Or Do They?)
While you were reading about Bermondsey, I had been walking towards my watering hole of choice.
Along the way, I spotted a couple of Millwall fans walking in front of me. I caught up with them and asked if they could recommend a good boozer in the area.
Locals know best, right?
Wrong!
They pointed to a pub across the road from where we were standing, called The Ancient Foresters. They weren’t going in but said it was a good pub.
I thanked them and crossed the road, walked in, and walked out again.
It was dark, empty, not a soul inside, and smelled really musty.
Now, I like characteristic pubs that aren’t reminiscent of Wetherspoons and other generic bars, but this wasn’t for me.
Instead, I went back to Plan A, and continued on to The Old Bank pub on Southwark Park Road.
The Old Bank
The Old Bank is exactly what it says on the tin: a renovated bank.
As a branch of the Midland Bank and later, HSBC, it was a single-storey building. Nowadays, it reaches 4 storeys.
Outside, you are left in little doubt that this is a Millwall pub, with flags draped around the outside seating area.
Inside, a single room is dominated by the bar on the right-hand side, while seating and tables make up the rest.
I went to the bar and ordered a pint of Guinness, costing me £5.60, before taking a seat near the window by the door.
As I sat watching people coming and going, it became apparent pretty quickly that everyone knew everyone here. As they came in, there were always greetings and handshakes. A real community feel to the place.
Fitting Right In
After getting another pint, I asked a table of gents if they minded me sitting with them and chatting football.
They welcomed me, and that’s exactly what we did.
Usually, I content myself with a couple of pints and move on to the ground. Today, I was contemplating a fifth Guinness when I looked at the clock and realised I needed to get on my way if I was to catch the kick-off.
I’d like to say a big thank you to Bill, Steve and Joe for making me feel welcome among them, and their tight-knit community.
See, Stoke and Millwall can get along, after all. 😂
I also spoke to a couple of Go Ahead Eagles fans from the Netherlands, who were here for their Luton Town friendly on Sunday.
There were also a small number of Royal Antwerp fans who mostly drank in the outside area, enjoying the London sunshine.
Most importantly, everyone seemed to be welcome and were mixing together.
A word for another local called Anton, who hasn’t missed a single Millwall match for 20 years, be it at The Den or elsewhere.
Now, that’s what I call dedication and passion right there!
Den
Millwall – The Den
After walking the mile from The Old Bank to The Den, I got my first glimpse of the ground after walking once more under the rail tracks that are everywhere around here.
With kick-off ever closer, I quickly entered the club store to the left of the turnstiles.
Unfortunately, there was neither programme nor pin badge for sale. Disappointing for a club of this size to offer neither.
The lady behind the counter told me there were unofficial pin badges being sold somewhere outside, but I didn’t have time to go looking.
Ah well, eBay it is.
Getting In
I entered the ground by the turnstiles in the photo above.
My ticket was digital and purchased online via the Millwall website a couple of weeks previously.
The ticket was scanned by a gateman, and I entered The Den.
The Barry Kitchener Stand
The turnstiles were on the northwest corner, where the Barry Kitchener Stand meets the North Stand.
I was seated in the lower tier of the Barry Kitchener Stand, which is the main stand.
It also meant that taking a photograph of it was almost impossible, so apologies for that.
Though a double-tiered stand, just the lower tier was open for today’s game. That said, you can clearly see people in the upper tier.
Maybe relatives of players, etc? Or maybe all tickets sold out and a few were allowed upstairs.
Capacity for the Barry Kitchener Stand is 5,354, though with only the lower tier officially open, I would say no more than 2,000 people were seated here today.
Barry Kitchener is Millwall’s record appearance holder (602 games), and he passed away in 2012, aged just 64.
Cold Blow Lane Stand
To the right is the Cold Blow Lane Stand.
Again, this is a double-tiered and covered stand that seats 4,382 spectators.
It was unused for today’s game, which gave a clear view of the lettering which spells out ‘The Den’ over the two levels.
Cold Blow Lane was the name of the road which led to the original Den.
Dockers Stand
Opposite us was the Dockers Stand, which mostly mirrors the Barry Kitchener Stand and gives you a better idea of the stand I was seated in.
Capacity is slightly lower in the Dockers Stand, with 5,135 seats available for fans.
The northern end of the upper tier has a section of safe standing for home fans, spaced over the end three blocks.
An electronic scoreboard is located between the Dockers Stand and the North Stand.
North Stand
The North Stand is a mirror image of the Cold Blow Lane Stand.
A double-tiered, covered stand, with a capacity of 4,382.
This stand houses away supporters at The Den, and the upper tier had a good-sized following from Belgium.
Around 2,000 Royal Antwerp fans were here to support their team.
A fantastic number for a friendly, and they were in fine voice throughout the game, too.
The Den was built between 1992 and 1993 to replace the club’s original Den a mile up the road.
Opened on 4th August 1993, the build cost a total of around £16 million.
The opening game was a friendly against Sporting Lisbon of Portugal, with Labour Party leader John Smith given the honour of officially opening the stadium.
The ‘New’ Den, as it was initially known, was the first new football stadium to be built in London since 1937.
Millwall – The Den Gallery
Millwall Tidbits
The Millwall Football Club was founded in 1885 as Millwall Rovers by workers at J. T. Morton’s canning and preserve factory in the Millwall district of the Isle of Dogs.
Although the club later moved south of the River Thames, it retained the Millwall name and developed a strong identity within South East London. Known as the Lions,
Millwall Rovers played its first recorded match on 3rd October 1885, losing 5-0 away to Fillebrook. The club staged its first home fixture on waste ground at Glengall Road three weeks later, defeating St Luke’s 2–1.
The team initially played at several grounds on the Isle of Dogs. In 1889, following a move to the Athletic Grounds, the club removed ‘Rovers’ from its name and became Millwall Athletic. It soon emerged as one of the leading clubs in southern England.
Millwall became a founder member of the Southern Football League in 1894 and won the competition in its first two seasons, 1894/95 and 1895/96. The club finished as runners-up the following year and later won the Western Football League in 1907/08 and 1908/09. It also reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1900 and 1903.
Limited space for further development eventually forced the club to leave the Isle of Dogs. Millwall played its final match as an East London club in October 1910 before moving to a new ground, The Den, in New Cross. Brighton and Hove Albion won the opening match there 1-0 on 22nd October 1910.
The Football League
By 1920, the club had dropped ‘Athletic’ from its name and entered the newly created Football League Third Division. Millwall won its first Football League fixture 2–0 against Bristol Rovers on 28th August 1920.
The club established several notable records during the interwar period. In 1925/26, Millwall kept 11 consecutive league clean sheets, a Football League record later equalled by York City and Reading.
Millwall won the Third Division South championship in 1927/28, scoring 87 home league goals during the season. That figure remains an English Football League record. The Lions won the division again in 1937/38.
A year before that second championship, Millwall reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the third time. The fifth-round match against Derby County in 1937 attracted 48,762 spectators, which remains the club’s record home attendance.
The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted a period in which Millwall had been challenging for promotion to the First Division. The Den sustained severe bomb damage in April 1943, and a fire destroyed an entire stand shortly afterwards. Supporters supplied considerable voluntary labour to restore the ground, allowing the club to return in February 1944.
Millwall appeared in the Football League War Cup final in 1945, losing to Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. The match attracted 90,000 spectators, the largest-ever crowd to watch a Millwall game, although wartime competitions do not form part of the club’s official honours.
The club struggled during the immediate post-war years and dropped into Division Three South in 1948. Millwall became a founder member of the Fourth Division following the Football League’s reorganisation in 1958.
The Lions won the Fourth Division championship in 1961/62. After relegation in 1963/64, the club earned consecutive promotions and returned to the second tier.
Unbeaten at The Den
Between 22nd August 1964 and 14th January 1967, Millwall remained unbeaten in 59 home matches. The team won 43 games, drew 16, scored 112 goals and conceded 33 during the sequence. Liverpool later surpassed the overall record.
Millwall developed another strong team in the early 1970s. The side remembered as the Class of ’71 included Bryan King, Harry Cripps, Derek Possee, Eamon Dunphy and Barry Kitchener.
The Lions missed promotion to the First Division by one point in 1971/72. By remaining unbeaten at home throughout that season, Millwall became the only club to complete a full league campaign without a home defeat in four different divisions.
George Graham led Millwall to the Football League Group Cup in 1982–83, defeating Lincoln City 3–2 in the final. The club then reached the FA Cup quarter-finals and secured promotion from the Third Division in 1984–85.
The Top Flight
Under manager John Docherty, Millwall won the Second Division championship in 1987/88, securing promotion to the top tier for the first time.
Tony Cascarino and Teddy Sheringham played central roles in the promotion and subsequent First Division campaign. The pair scored 99 goals between them during their three seasons together.
Millwall led the First Division in October 1988 and remained among the leading clubs for much of the first half of the season. The Lions eventually finished tenth in 1988/89, the club’s highest-ever league position. Relegation followed at the end of the next campaign.
A New Stadium and Financial Difficulty
Millwall left the original Den in 1993 and moved to a new all-seater stadium nearby. Initially called the New Den, it is now known simply as The Den. The ground officially opened on 4th August 1993 and became the first new all-seater stadium constructed in England after the Taylor Report.
During the stadium’s first season, Mick McCarthy guided Millwall to third place in the second tier, although the club lost to Derby County in the play-offs. Financial and playing difficulties followed later in the decade, and Millwall briefly entered administration after relegation in 1996.
Success
Millwall recovered superbly, winning the third-tier championship in 2000/01, amassing 93 points. The squad included Neil Harris, Tim Cahill, Paul Ifill, Lucas Neill and Steven Reid.
The club achieved one of the defining results in its history during the 2003/04 FA Cup. Managed by Dennis Wise, Millwall reached the final after defeating Sunderland in the semi-final. Manchester United won the final 3- 0 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
Because Manchester United had already qualified for the Champions League, Millwall entered the 2004/05 UEFA Cup. The Lions faced Ferencváros in their first European tie and lost 4-2 on aggregate.
Millwall returned to the Championship by winning the League One play-off final in 2010, defeating Swindon Town 1–0. Following relegation in 2015, Neil Harris led the club back to the second tier in 2017, when Steve Morison scored the only goal in the play-off final against Bradford City.
Scottish Origins
Just to clarify the truth of the comment made to me in the Quaich Bar, Pollok, Millwall was not formed by Scottish dockers.
The Scottish presence came from the factory workers at J. T. Morton’s canning and preserve factory, where many of the employees were Scottish, as were many of their players.
The club’s traditional colours are dark blue and white, reflecting the Scottish origins of early Millwall teams. A rampant or leaping lion forms the central feature of the club badge and provides the long-standing nickname, the Lions.
Millwall’s principal honours include two Southern League championships, the Second Division title in 1987/88, three third-tier championships, the Fourth Division title in 1961/62 and two League One play-off victories. The club also finished as FA Cup runners-up in 2004.
Barry Kitchener holds the club appearance record, having played 602 matches, while Neil Harris is Millwall’s leading scorer with 138 goals in all competitions.
Millwall has a history extending from the industrial Isle of Dogs to the modern-day Den in Bermondsey.
Celebrities who support Millwall include Daniel Day-Lewis, Gary Oldman, and Danny Baker.
They Played for Millwall
Sam Allardyce, Clive Allen, Gerry Armstrong, Phil Babb, Daniel Ballard, Mark Bright, John Byrne, Tim Cahill, Tony Cascarino, Steve Claridge, Colin Cooper, Tony Cottee, Kenny Cunningham, Kevin Davies, Danny Dichio, Kerry Dixon, Sean Dyche, Eberechi Eze, John Fashanu, Paul Goddard, Neil Harris, Gordon Hill, Darren Huckerby, Charlie Hurley, Terry Hurlock, Don Hutchison, Paul Ifill, Andy Impey, Harry Kane, Kasey Keller, Mark Kennedy, Barry Kitchener, Mick McCarthy, John McGinlay, Jody Morris, Lucas Neill, Jason Puncheon, Steven Reid, Neil Ruddock, Teddy Sheringham, Nigel Spink, Alex Stepney, Ben Thatcher, Pat Van Den Hauwe, Danny Wallace, Keith Weller, Noel Whelan, Ray Wilkins, Dennis Wise, and Chris Wood.
Playing for both Millwall and Stoke City are the following:
Benik Afobe, Carl Asaba, Danny Batth, Dave Brammer, Mark Crossley, Alfie Doughty, Bruce Dyer, Ray Evans, Lee Gregory, Glen Johnson, Tony Kelly, Gifton Noel-Williams, David Oldfield, Vincent Péricard, Will Smallbone, Michael Tonge, and Ryan Woods.
Plus, of course, the god-like Ricardo Fuller.
Stoke and Millwall also share a couple of recent managers in Gary Rowett, and current ‘Wall boss, Alex Neil.
Millwall – Pre-Game View of The Den
Millwall v Royal Antwerp – The Game
Form
Coming into today’s game, form doesn’t really matter, this being a pre-season friendly.
It’s worth noting the two club’s positions in their respective leagues last season, though.
Millwall had a fantastic 2025/26, finishing third in the Championship behind Coventry City and Ipswich Town.
They fell short in the playoff final, with a single-goal defeat against Hull City.
I’m sure they will look to build on that this season and try to go one better. No easy task, however, because in the Championship, anyone can beat anyone on the day, and points are tough to come by.
When Royal Antwerp begin this season, it will be their tenth consecutive in the Belgian top flight, having finished last year eleventh of sixteen.
Antwerp are know as ‘The Great Old’, or ‘The Reds’.
This first nickname is due to them being the oldest club in Belgium, founded in 1880.
There isn’t a huge gulf between today’s protagonists, and I foresee a close fought game
Kick-Off
Summary
I won’t bother describing the game, as I will include a match report at the end.
What I will talk about is the fantastic support that came over from Belgium.
The upper tier of the North Stand was filled with red and white-clad supporters, who spent most of the game singing songs in English.
I did smirk to myself when they were all singing “We all agree, Millwall fans are w*nkers”.
Before today, I may have agreed with that crude statement, but having been among the Millwall fans in the pub and stadium, I found nothing but friendly people happy to chat.
Millwall, as a club, have had huge problems with fan behaviour over the years, but then so have most clubs.
What matters now is that the dark days are (for the most part) behind us, and people can attend games in relative safety once more.
Blah
After a goalless first half, the Lions grabbed the only goal of the game from a 69th-minute corner.
A Femi Azeez corner was headed home by Jake Cooper.
Despite some late Antwerp pressure, Millwall held firm and took the honours, but again, the real men of the match were the travelling fans.
You can read a full Match Report here, courtesy of the Millwall website.
Full-time – Millwall 1 Royal Antwerp 0
Attendance – 6,000 (my estimate, no official figure released.
Entrance Fee – £17.00
Programme – N/A
Millwall v Royal Antwerp – Match Highlights
Up Next
Millwall begin their 2026/27 season with a trip to London rivals QPR in a League Cup game on 8th August.
Their Championship campaign begins a week later with a trip to Bristol City on the 15th.
They then face a home game against Norwich City (22nd) and a trip to the South Coast to face Southampton (29th) to finish out August.
September begins with a Den double-header against Wrexham (2nd) and Bolton Wanderers (5th).
Antwerp will kick off their season by hosting Beveren on 9th August, before a trip to Kortrijk (15th).
They then host two games, against Genk (22nd) and Sint-Truidense V.V. (30th).
Millwall Thoughts
I went down to London today with all pre-conceived notions of Millwall and their supporters put firmly to one side.
After engaging with a number of them during the day, including the great blokes in The Old Bank, I’m glad I did.
A sense of community is prevalent here. You can sense it and see it in action all around you.
Everyone is Millwall through and through, and a sense of belonging is paramount.
As an outsider, I am thankful that I was welcomed in and felt a part of the match day experience.
It’s easy to see why everyone supports Millwall around here, and why wouldn’t you? Local communities and football clubs should go hand in hand in every part of the country.
Royal Antwerp fans were a big part of the game on Saturday and kept it entertaining, even when the action slowed on the pitch.
I wish them much luck in their upcoming Pro League season.
Tubes and buses are easily available back to the main train stations, making a visit simple enough.
Negatives
I was a little disappointed that the club store didn’t provide printed programmes or pin badges.
I’d like to think that is something they can easily rectify going forward. Particularly the pin badges, which are a staple for many Hoppers and loyal fans alike.
One thing I didn’t mention earlier was the catering. I bought a Pukka pie at half-time. I didn’t notice at the time how much it was, but after checking my banking app while writing this, I was horrified to see I had paid £5.75 for a microwaved steak pie.
Yes, it’s London, and London prices, but… why rip people off?
These things are available in supermarkets for around £1.70.
Back to Positives
Small gripes aside, this was a great day out, and I’d thoroughly recommend you go and check out The Den if you haven’t yet visited.
Be respectful, be friendly, and you will receive the same in return.
And finally, I couldn’t resist leaving this video here, showing the Royal Antwerp fans having a laugh on their way to (or from) the game. 😂
London – After the Game
Following the final whistle, I made my way back into the London sunshine and made the 1.3-mile walk to Bermondsey station.
There were shorter routes back to King’s Cross, but I had plenty of time to kill and wanted to get a bit of exercise in.
I arrived in time to catch the 17:26 tube to Baker Street on the Jubilee Line.
I found myself sharing the tube with two Antwerp fans, and we spoke about the game and the fans.
They seemed pleased that I was impressed with Antwerp’s fans and spoke of their disappointment that Millwall didn’t really show up or make an atmosphere.
I guess friendlies are different in Belgium.
Our tube service arrived at Baker Street at 17:41, and by 17:46, I was on the Hammersmith & City Line to King’s Cross and St Pancras.
Nine minutes later, I arrived and made my way back up above ground and into King’s Cross station once more.
I knew I would have an hour’s wait for my 19:00 train back to Newcastle, but what I didn’t know was that it would also suffer a 40-minute delay, just like the train down earlier that day.
Services were still playing catch-up from the fatality that morning
Eventually, my LNER train had its platform announced, and I made my way to board.
We left King’s Cross at 19:19, and a further 20 minutes were lost on the way north. Finally, we pulled into Central Station at 22:40, 38 minutes later than scheduled.
Now, I would be catching the last bus home, so hopefully, it wouldn’t be cancelled!
It arrived at 23:14 (also running late), and deposited me in Hetton just after midnight, a long but decent day out in the nation’s capital, done and dusted.
Another successful Hop in the books!
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Next Up for Hoppers Guide
Next week, Hoppers guide will head back to the Glasgow area for a game between Clydebank and Troon.
Clydebank are a former SPFL club, and it’s good to see the phoenix club starting to move back towards restoring that status.
The Bankies will be facing Troon FC, who we saw at Pollok last weekend, and they should provide a good test for The Bankies.
I look forward to visiting Holm Park and seeing just how far along the project is from the goal of league football being played there once more.
Obviously, my regular reader will be aware that I love visiting Scotland and Scottish football, and this is no exception.
Onto the next!
