Millwall Legend: Neil Harris

Last night, Neil Harris became the highest goalscorer in Millwall’s history by scoring his 112th goal for the club. His 1st came on 19th September 1998 against Northampton Town. His 112th came on the 13th January 2009 against Crewe Alexandra. Without any irony, Neil Harris is a true football legend.

During his two spells at Millwall, Haris has experienced many ups and downs. In his first season, he scored an amazing 25 goals having joined the club from non-league Cambridge City, playing part time whilst holding down a full time job in a Japanese insurance company.

In his second season, he won the ‘Golden Boot’ as League One’s top goalscorer with 28 goals helping Millwall win the League at the same time.

In the same year, Harris was also diagnosed with testicular cancer. He fought against it having undergone intense treatment and surgery to return to the first team little more than a year later. In the process, he set up the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal.

This Week I’ve…(8th December 2008)

This week I’ve…

…watched Millwall FC beat Bristol Rovers FC (3-2) from the press box at The New Den as a guest of the Club (for writing the piece in the programme about Ernie Allen, here)

…listened to (and watched) Jarvis Cocker at the Birmingham Carling Academy

…read The Guardian newspaper daily whilst off work sick

…laughed at running round the room with my arms tucked behind my back (stupid I agree – but it was funny…!!!)

…despaired at the destructive behaviour and hurt that families are easily and repeatedly capable of

…had hope about 2009 – in many ways, it can’t be any worse than 2008 (can it…???)

…been completely random about not being deep but definitely profoundly shallow (quoted from Jarvis Cocker)

Ernie Allen: My Grandad, My Millwall

I’m re-publishing this short piece that I wrote for Millwall Football Club as it was printed in the programme from yesterday’s 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers FC. As invited guests to the match by the Millwall Press team (thanks Neil), we had a great day and enjoyed the match.

I can’t reminisce about Millwall’s first season in the top flight of English football without remembering one person: my grandad, Ernie Allen.

This Week I’ve…(1st December 2008)

This week I’ve…

…watched some film trailers that Nixon has composed the music for (aka Scott Nixon – spent the weekend with him, his wife and little girl)

…listened to Morrissey’s “National Front Disco” and “We’ll Let You Know” (from “Your Arsenal!)

…read Rennie Sparks’ “Evil” (Rennie Sparks is one half of The Handsome Family)

…laughed at how those who are driven by greed have suddenly seen that same greed come back and bite them on the arse…!!!

…despaired at saying the wrong thing at the wrong time…sorry

…had hope about London – I want to move back there !!!

…been completely random about the last of the international playboys (Morrissey) being a Millwall supporter – random in the extreme !!!

Morrissey: The Last of the Millwall Mobster International Playboys

The Times has published a list of what it describes as the ‘50 Worst Famous Football Fans‘. From those celebrity fans who have drowned near fortunes into their beloved club – Elton John at Watford, Delia Smith at Norwich (“let’s be having you…!”) – to those that you just wouldn’t want – Timmy Mallet at Oxford United, Michael Jackson at Exeter City – the list is an entertaining and highly amusing read.

What caught my eye the most was the inclusion of what must surely be my beloved Millwall’s most famous and most unlikely ‘fan’. Whilst I’ve always been aware that Millwall has had ‘celebrity’ fans – from the glorious Des O’Connor through less than glorious Danny Baker to the imminently glorious, David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye – the list stated that Bermondsey’s finest was most recently being courted by none other than Morrissey. At number 48 on the list, The Times wrote:

Maladjusted, miserable former lead singer of The Smiths who has started swanning about Los Angeles in a Millwall top. Viva Hate.