Shedding the reputation 

Let's get the cliche out of the way first. This isn't a Millwall that should be judged on previous reputation. For all the clubs involved in a footballing bygone era of controversy and violence, the Lions remain the club intricately linked to a time very much in the past. 

Things have dramatically changed on that front for the South East London side. A club steeped in its community values, led by a board with big ambitions, Millwall are a club who have quielty shed its persona of the past, but kept the fear factor that is now being used for good and to fuel their charge to the top table for the first time since 1989. 

However, their potential Premier League debut would be an eye-opener for the elite. Their return to the top division wouldn't be an away day to enjoy in the same way we've seen from other long-term absentees, because Millwall is still a matchday experience not many in the promised land would have come by before. 

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Although this isn't Millwall circa 1980s, The Den is still a wonderfully intimidating place to watch football. An old-school 'proper' football ground, slap bang in the middle of the smoke - one you can even see from a train ride into the captial - where fans can create an electric atmosphere with their 'no one likes us' and 'bring em down to The Den', that is spawned from the dark days but harnessed and used to an on-pitch advantage in 2026. 

Even before this steady promotion push, few ever do go down to the Den and really do a number on Millwall. It's a ground that can very much be used to their full advantage if they were to win promotion. 

Yes, a few of the old schoolers may come out of the woodwork for 'old times' sake if they were to go up, and perhaps the idea of West Ham surviving and taking on Millwall in the top division may give some law establishments sleepless nights, but promotion would be their chance in the spotlight to show, more than ever, they are a club that's all about community and togetherness rather than previous repuations. 

Neil's way 

What, though, has changed on the pitch this season that has seen the Lions usurp many of the Championship's sides, who have much deeper pockets than the London outfit? 

Well, it's been a steady rise for the team. Millwall have been sniffing around the play-off positions for several seasons, only for a series of meltdown moments to scupper them at the final hurdle. 

But it seems Alex Neil has got the mentality right this time around. The pragmatic and experienced boss wasn't the name to get the blood going when he was appointed in 2024, but has used his knowledge of the league to turn the club into a well-oiled and stubborn machine - and one that is motoring towards the top two. 

It's a team that doesn't rely on star names, but a spine and a squad that knows its job and collectively it's performing above what was expected.  
 

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From club stalwart Jake Cooper at the back, closing in 400 games for the club and rarely letting his team down in any of them, to the under-appreciated Billy Mitchell in midfield who never stops running, Millwall are team moulded in the workmanlike style of the manager. Yet, come with a touch of pizazz from the likes of Femi Azeez, who's surely destined to play at a higher level at some point anyway and striker Mihailo Ivanović, who may not be prolific but is a right handful for defenders as the focal point. 

They don't always win points for pure entertainment factor, but that doesn't bother the manager or the fans, because the only points they care about are those on the board at the end of the season. 

And if it leads to a first promotion since the days of Teddy Sheringham and Tony Cascarino, then it will be a moment not seen in this part of London for several generations. 

There are still five games to play, with the club only outside the automatic places on goal difference and looking like it's going to be a photo finish between them, Ipswich and Middlesbrough for second spot. Monday's defeat to Norwich shows that this Millwall team are by no means a perfect promotion contender, but it's the closest the Lions have come to roaring back to the big leagues. 

The question is, are the big leagues ready for the roar of 2026 Millwall? 

 

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