Julian Dicks, the West Ham legend, speaks about his thrilling and dangerous memories in the rivalry with Millwall. This match, taking place on Saturday, is the first encounter in 14 years and is considered one of the fiercest rivalries in British football.
Memories from the battlefield
Julian Dicks recalls terrifying moments at the "Old Den" stadium. He says: "When you came out of the tunnel, Millwall fans would insult you and even threaten to harm you and your family. The atmosphere was very tense and violent." He also remembers a memorable experience in 1989 when, while taking a corner kick, he was struck on the head with half of a brick.
Special police preparations for the game
This match, which will be broadcast live for free on ITV, has been highly anticipated by fans for a long time. The Metropolitan Police of London has taken special measures for this encounter, with 400 officers present at the venue. These forces will use live facial recognition technology to identify and prevent any unrest. In 2009, 54 West Ham fans were permanently banned from attending football matches due to a riot during a game against Millwall.
Dicks emphasizes that players must understand the significance of this match. He recalls an experience after a 1-0 victory against Millwall, saying: "We went towards our fans and suddenly 30 police officers with batons and shields rushed towards us. Millwall fans were throwing various objects at us, such as coins and glass. This is a memorable experience, and every time I go onto the field against Millwall, I expect a tense match."
Future outlook for West Ham
Dicks mentions West Ham's performance in the league, stating: "There is no reason why West Ham cannot become league champions. They have good players, and the only thing that might hinder their progress is effort and efficiency. If they can add this element to the team, they will surely achieve success."
He also recalls stories about Millwall fans. One of these stories involves an elderly woman who insults him during his return to the league. Dicks smiles and says: "You never forget what happens at Millwall, and that’s part of the appeal of this rivalry."
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