Football

At the time of writing we are still in third position and both two automatic spots are in reach, two great performances, a gritty 1-0 win at MK Dons where the players really dug deep for a result, I for one thought we would be lucky if we got a point after MK Dons scored six goals at home three days earlier, but the team gave a real Millwall display.
Then off to Hartlepool 600 mile round trip and at half time I was thinking why I bother! All the Hartlepool directors were saying, "Don't worry there are still 45 minutes" to go and they were right, enter stage right Harris! What a result keeping us on target for a top three finish.
Then a great injury-time winner from Jason Price at Crewe, watching Millwall is never easy, then we had the Colchester game that would really put us on target for automatic promotion but the team struggled and succumbed to a last minute winner leaving everyone disappointed, luckily the team bounced back with a great display against Walsall with Alexander and Price both getting onto the score sheet, they are looking a very handy partnership.
I have had so many new experiences since being a Fan Director and on Saturday I was honoured to be introduced the man who "found" Alan Shearer he was 88 and spoke about Millwall with great fondness.

John Berylson

John Berylson has invested around £11m into Millwall and taken nothing out, he has continued to put in money, even when due to the current financial situation in the country the regeneration plan has slowed down. I for one feel we owe him a huge debt other than the financial one, a lot of people by now would have cut their losses and walked, I think John has attended over 20 games this season another sign of his commitment.

Richard Sadlier

I have been in constant contact with Sadds over the last couple of months with regards the benefit match that he has been waiting so long for. A date has been agreed with the club and now Sadds and his contacts can start trying to get a good quality opponent.
This will enable him to get a good gate and a decent payday, although speaking to Sadds it isn't about the money, it's more about saying a final farewell to us, the fans.
Sadds was offered the chance by Mark McGhee to sit on the bench the game prior to his retirement, with the option of coming on for the last 10 minutes, he told me not taking up the offer was one of the biggest regrets in his life. I will make sure that I put in the effort required to make sure the game happens.

New Ticketing System

The new ticketing system is now in place and I am told you can buy your season ticket on line with the process taking only five minutes, a whole new network has been put in place in the club to ensure the system works to its optimum and it can interface with other areas of the club, more people signed up for season tickets in the first two days than at any other time in the last 10 years, the Sadds benefit game will be a great chance to test the system prior to the new season kicking off, this should give enough time for any bugs to be ironed out.

Kenny Jackett

Kenny Jackett presented his views to the board last week at the latest board meeting, he told us the team's morale both on and off the pitch was very high. The team are fully aware the 2nd place is still available and they will do their best to get it. Kenny felt although we had had a lot of key injuries we had still managed to keep ourselves in with a shout of the play offs as a minimum. We have had a good deal of bad luck with Robbo and Pericard's injuries. Tony Craig has worn the captain's armband with pride, always putting in a Millwall performance leading by example in every game.
We discussed the youth set up and its current crop of youngsters. Of last year's crop only one Pat O'Connor was offered a professional contract, Kenny mentioned how hard Scott Fitzgerald had worked to bring through the current crop of which it is thought 60 or 70% will possibly make the required grade.

Coins and swearing

There have been a lot of rumours suggesting that large numbers of fans are being ejected and banned for swearing.
I have noticed since I have been carrying out the FOTB role that there are lots of unfounded rumours started, the people starting these rumours are speaking third hand and with no factual information, these rumours really cause problems.
The facts so far this season, only two fans have been banned for foul and abusive language, both fans put their hands up and admitted they had gone over the top. One decided to appeal the ban using the appeal process and had his ban lifted, the other did not want to appeal. Both bans were in the West Lower behind the away dug out and both times the fourth official or away team management complained to police during the match. As we get 7 -8000 per game and so far this season only two have been banned for foul and abusive languagethis shows that there are not large numbers being banned for swearing.
The area where the "offences" occurred is so high profile and under the spotlight I would have thought there would have been a lot more. I think we all just need to be mindful when shouting out as what we deem as acceptable may not be acceptable to those around us especially when there are children around.

Family Club

As you are probably aware, the board have taken the decision to set up a new Family Club that will be situated in the South End of West Lower (WL).
Existing Season Ticket holders in the WL were originally asked to move to other parts of the ground to accommodate the new Family Club.
ST holders from the WL were invited to the club to discuss the options available to them, the outcome of the meetings that took place and the amount of complaints received, put enough pressure on the club to rethink the decision, making a compromise allowing the existing ST holders to remain in the West Lower if they wanted to.
Just to reiterate my position, it is my role to represent the view of the fans at board level, which I have done diligently since I took on this post .
This was the case regarding the need for consultation/compromise in relation to the relocation of the family enclosure. However, as with discussions among any group of people, not all board decisions will be unanimous. It is however important for the board to stand behind the democratic process, something I am also fully committed to.

Ian Tomlinson

Ever since I have been following Millwall I have always felt part of the Millwall family. It's such a strong common bond that unites us all, it seems at times the entire world is against us.
So seeing the tragic events on the television leading to the death of Ian Tomlinson a Millwall fan wearing our colours with pride as he walked home from work, I truly hope the people responsible are brought to justice.
I would like to pass my condolences to Ian's family on behalf of all Millwall fans.

As always any questions drop me a line petergarston@hotmail.com