A chance for Millwall's class of 2026 to match 1988 heroes

A rollercoaster four decades

Following relegation from the top flight in 1989-90, the Lions twice reached the second-tier play-offs, under Bruce Rioch and Mick McCarthy, before going down to the third tier in 1995-96.

Five years later they came back up after claiming the Division Two title and then finished fourth the following campaign, but once again tasted defeat in at the play-off semi-final stage, by Birmingham City.

In 2003-04 the most unlikely of FA Cup runs under Dennis Wise culminated in a final against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in Cardiff, with the Red Devils running out 3-0 winners through goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and a young Portuguese winger playing in his first season in England, named Cristiano Ronaldo.

Twice more, Millwall returned to League One and on both occasions won promotion through the play-offs, with Steve Morison scoring a late winner to down Bradford City in the 2016-17 final at Wembley.

“Given the financial implications of promotion to the Premier League, I actually think it would outshine the famous promotion of 1987-88,” reported BBC Sport’s Millwall fan writer and presenter of the Achtung! Millwall podcast Nick Hart.

“The game was very different back then – and the odds for one of the league’s smaller clubs are stacked high against us.”

Most clean sheets and league’s best travellers

Whatever the outcome against Hull City over two legs, it has already been a season to remember for Millwall.

They ended the campaign with 83 points – one more than when they won the old Second Division title in 1987-88, albeit that was a 44-game season.

And it represents their highest finish since the 1993-94 season, when they also came third in the second tier – then known as Division One – under McCarthy.

Having missed out on the play-offs on the final day in two of the previous seasons, it is hard to argue the Lions have not earned it.

This campaign has been built on consistency. Since last returning to the top six with a win over Swansea City on 4 January, they have not fallen below fifth place. And they have only been outside the top six on three occasions since October.

They lead the way in the Championship with the most clean sheets (17) and points picked up away from home (41).

All this has been achieved against an unenviable injury list that at one time included every senior midfield player at the club.

Overcoming tragedy and on the cusp of greatness

Promotion marks the ultimate high on a journey that has experienced the most tragic lows in recent years.

In July 2023, owner John Berylson died in a car crash in Cape Cod, aged 70.

Less than a year later the sudden death of goalkeeper Matija Sarkic at the age of 26 while on holiday in his native Montenegro in June 2024 was another deep blow to everyone associated with the club.

Millwall held a touching tribute to Sarkic at their first game of the 2024-25 season, before taking their quest for a play-off place right to the final day of the campaign.

Transfer game ‘evolution’ reaping its rewards

Slowly but surely the team has transformed as more new signings have joined the club.

Femi Azeez, Tristan Crama, Camiel Neghli, Mihailo Ivanovic, Josh Coburn, Caleb Taylor and Zak Sturge are among those who have been brought in over the past couple of years and become important squad members.

The Lions twice broke their own transfer record to sign Neghli from Sparta Rotterdam and Coburn from Middlesbrough.

Crama and Neghli’s versatility in particular has been vital to the team this season. Crama has been equally comfortable slotting in at centre-back or charging down the touchline at right-back, while Neghli has performed wherever he has been asked to play.

They have been smart with their outgoings too, turning profits on Japhet Tanganga and Zian Flemming, who were sold to Sheffield United and Burnley respectively, as well as selling academy graduate Romain Esse to Crystal Palace for a unveiled initial fee of £12m last year.

“This football club has really evolved with the way they play the transfer game. They were late to the party in terms of smart recruitment,” reported Aaron Paul, presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live’s EFL podcast 72+.

“They didn’t really spend too much money under John Berylson but his son James, in his quest for the Premier League, has gone ‘no, we need to change our recruitment game’.”

‘Don’t have any fear or regrets’

Head coach Neil has been given the building blocks he has needed to mount a serious promotion push.

After the instability of the short Joe Edwards era and the calm brought about by the return of Harris, former Norwich City boss Neil is getting closer and closer to emulating his achievement with the Canaries and taking the Lions to the Premier League.

“Millwall play at their best as underdogs and generally with a Scottish manager,” Hart reported.

“It must be something drawn form the club’s humble origins in the Isle of Dogs docks in the 1880s.

“If Alex Neil and this squad can pull this off, they will join the Millwall pantheon of greats alongside Harry Cripps, Barry Kitchener and Neil Harris.”

And Neil’s message to his players is simple.

“Do not have any regrets, don’t have any fear, there’s nothing to be scared of. If we get our best shot and we’re not quite there on the day, then at least we can look ourselves in the mirror and live with that.”

Hull City v Millwall kicks off at 20:00 BST on Friday, 8 May with commentary on BBC Local Radio and live text coverage on the BBC Sport website and app.