the millwall saga: the truth will out…

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Pasted below are some posts from an unofficial Millwall supporters message board (all apologies directed to me please):

MILLWALL MAD

Theres [sic] was an incident involving about 3 kids, a skinhead bloke and one of Leyton Orients black players. I was sitting only a bout 20 seats away in the WEST LOWER. The skinhead bloke was giving it to the Leyton Orient player, complaining about something that had gone on and a steward got on her radio but I really wasn’t taking much notice of it.

HANNIBAL

This did happen in the West Lower – I too was sitting close by. It’s been ’sexed’ up a bit, but all this did take place. The stewards’ arrival was merely the usual parade of twats in orange jackets that happens at every game. The lady supervisor seemed to have things under control. The crowd was no more intimidating than normal but, as was the case probably everywhere in the crowd on Saturday many were becoming animated.

I was close by, but not close enough to know what had been said, but the Orient sub was trying to keep out of it all. I don’t know if he was racially abused, but he was certainly getting stick. I didn’t see him say anything back, but I wouldn’t blame him if he had. The bloke sent the kids packing, which I thought was going to be the precursor to him doing something stupid. He was completely wankered, not just booze but charlie as well I suspect. How anyone can get in that state before a football match when you’re in charge of 3 kids I don’t know (saw the same thing with a different bloke the week before).

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

I wasn’t a witness to the incident described and yes there are some odd sounding angles contained within the article. That said, it’s way too easy to dismiss it merely because maybe the writer doesn’t fit into a ‘Real Millwall’ category (whatever that is).

Was a black Orient player racially abused? Was there another side to the story maybe? One incident usually produces a multitude of accounts – all usually slanted to suit whoever the witness is. Strikes me that the bloke who wrote this is prepared to stand out from the norm and call it like he sees it. Which is more Real Millwall than dismissing it because everyone else is dismissing it.

HANNIBAL

Bish, like I say, all these happened not far from me. The only bit I can’t confirm is the racist abuse, but I’d be amazed if something didn’t come out when things got heated. The truth is though, this bloke, outwardly very decent – smart clothes, not a skinhead as I know one, just a bloke with a shaven head and probably a few quid – was one of many giving the subs, the ref, the linesman some and I think he’s outward indignation was more the fact that his victim had the balls not to just take it, but he was absolutely wankered. From what I saw, the Orient feller conducted himself extremely well in the circumstances, though I can’t say whether he did swear at the kids or not.

[In response to another post questioning the events...] No, they were warming up towards the CBL.

Like I say, this story is true, I saw the incident. The only bits I cannot confirm are whether racist language was used and whether anything was said back by the Orient sub, but I suspect the answer is “Yes” to both.