The rivalry between Leeds United and Millwall may not grab the headlines like a Manchester Derby, but it’s one of the most intense conflicts in English football.
Spanning almost a century, it’s a tale of passion, polarisation, and, at times, controversy. With the two due to meet in the FA Cup this season after Millwall won last night, we take a look at the history between the clubs.
The Origins: Two Clubs, Two Cities, Two Histories
The roots of the rivalry stretch back to the early 20th century, with Leeds United forming in 1919 following the collapse of Leeds City. Millwall, already established in London since 1885, had joined the Football League in 1920. Despite their long histories, the two teams rarely crossed paths in their early years, competing in different divisions for much of the 20th century.
It wasn’t until 1931 that the clubs met on the pitch. The first fixture, held at Elland Road, saw Millwall secure a narrow 1–0 victory thanks to a goal from Jimmy Poxton. The return leg a week later ended with Leeds claiming a 3–2 win at The Den. These early matches were a preview of what would become a hotly contested rivalry, despite the teams spending the next decades largely apart.
A Modern Rivalry Sparks: Clashes in League One
The modern incarnation of the Leeds-Millwall rivalry began in earnest during the 2007–08 League One season. Leeds, struggling to return to former glories after their fall from the Premier League, found themselves matched against a competitive Millwall side. The tension between the clubs escalated off the pitch, with violent clashes between supporters necessitating heightened police presence at games. The on-field battles were no less fiery, as both clubs vied for promotion to the Championship.
Perhaps the most dramatic chapter unfolded in the 2008–09 League One play-offs. After finishing fourth and fifth respectively, the two teams faced off in a semi-final clash. Millwall took a 1–0 advantage from the first leg at The Den, with Neil Harris scoring the decisive goal amid a pitch invasion that saw Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren involved in an altercation with a fan. Ankergren later said, “I was pushed in the back by one of the fans that came on the pitch too. It’s very bad for football, and Millwall should be punished.”
The return leg at Elland Road drew a record 37,036 fans. Luciano Becchio’s goal levelled the tie, but Millwall’s Jimmy Abdou struck the decisive blow, sending the Lions to Wembley with a 2–1 aggregate victory. Despite losing the final to Scunthorpe United, Millwall’s triumph over Leeds in the semis cemented the rivalry as one of English football’s most intense.
Hooliganism and Heated Atmospheres
The animosity between Leeds and Millwall isn’t limited to the pitch. Both clubs have a history of passionate, often controversial fanbases. Leeds’ Service Crew and Millwall’s Bushwackers gained notoriety during the 1970s and 80s for their involvement in football hooliganism. While efforts to curb disorder have been largely successful, incidents of violence and discriminatory chanting have marred recent fixtures, underscoring the deep-rooted tensions between the two sets of supporters.
One of the most notable security measures came in 2010, when West Yorkshire Police required Millwall fans to exchange vouchers for tickets at a motorway service station en route to Elland Road. The controversial move limited away attendance and highlighted the challenges of managing such a volatile rivalry.
Evenly Matched Records and a Shared Championship Stage
As of the 2024–25 season, Leeds and Millwall have met 43 times, with both clubs boasting 19 victories apiece. Their encounters are characterised by home dominance, with few away wins in the fixture’s history. The rivalry remains as competitive as ever, with both teams striving for promotion from the Championship this season.
As the two clubs prepare for their next showdown, fans on both sides will be eager to see who claims bragging rights in this long-standing, fiercely contested rivalry.
