Southampton travel to Millwall on Saturday for the first time in the League in almost 12 years, however there are issues with the trains from London Bridge, find out more about how to visit the Den safely here.
Millwall is a safe place to visit these days as long as you keep a low profile and don't go looking for trouble, in fact it can be one of the safest grounds to visit if you go by coach and even by train it can be safe enough, although its advisable not to wear colours, even away from the stadium itself such as around London Bridge Station, as there is still an unsavoury element who can appear at some of the games.
The Stadium
If you think the current Den is intimidating then you should think yourself lucky that you never visited Millwall's former home, also called the Den that was situated just a little walk away, that took the phrase intimidation to a different level, it had been that way since Victorian times and had a reputation attached to it that reached legendary status in the 1960's through to the early 1990;s when in 1993 it was replaced by their current home.
Initially called the New Den, it has been changed to just simply the Den at some time in the last decade, it consists of four separate but vaguely similar two tiered stands, giving a total capacity of 21,146. Although this capacity has never been quite reached, possibly because of the need to isolate the away fans.
This capacity has rarely been tested as Millwall haven't had an average attendance of over 15,000 since they moved to the ground 20 years ago and the highest League attendance registered, again due to the need to segregate is well short of the 21k at 18,905, although this was recorded in the opening League home game this season, possibly due to the fact that due to violence lessening over recent years that the police are allowing bigger away support numbers.
The lowest crowd has been around 12,500 giving an average of around 15,500., with 3,000 Saints fan there on Saturday this has the potential for their record League gate at the ground.
Although our last visit in the League was in 2012, we did visit in the League cup in 2014/15 when goals from Jack Cork & Graziano Pelle gave us a 2-0 victory in front of only 6,014 fans.
Getting There
By car
This is the last option you should choose given not only the stop start nature of getting around the streets of South London, but the limited parking in the area near the ground makes it a nightmare, there is some street parking but literally no large car parks nearby so its pot luck, an easier option would be to park up near a station on the lines near the ground and complete the journey by train.
By Train
Perhaps the most simple trip by rail to a London ground for us, get off at Waterloo and then walk across the bridge to Waterloo East station taking a train one stop to London Bridge, alight there and then another quick journey to South Bermondsey.
However this time it will be different, usually the police lay on a special train from London Bridge for away supporters and when you arrive at South Bermondsey there is a enclosed walkway from the station directly into the away section, after the game the reverse will apply, last time we went the Police held Saints fans in he secure compound behind the ground for about 15 minutes before walking them back to South Bermondsey in the enclosed walkway, at London Bridge they cordoned off the walk to change trains to ensure there was no chance of trouble.
But there are rail works on the line and although you can catch the train to London Bridge station as normal, there are replacement bus services from London Bridge to South Bermondsey, I would imagine that in the next few days the club will announce whether the police have made any special plans for this part of the journey. Keep coming back to this site for updated info.
There are other nearby stations that can be used, such as New Cross & New Cross Gate (1.1 mile), although tube stations at Bermondsey (1.6 miles) or Canada Water (1.2 miles) might be more convenient
Drinking Eating Etc
In the ground there is the usual fare including alcohol, but near to the ground there is little for away supporters, the few pubs nearby are usually home fans only and slightly unwelcoming.
12 years ago the police corralled Saints supporters at Waterloo into firstly the hole in the wall pub and then the Duke Of Wellington before escorting them to the special train at London Bridge, this might again be a tactic used, but with replacement bus services so if you want to avoid this keep a low profile at Waterloo on arrival, also beware that its not unknown for Millwall fans to look for the opposition at Waterloo after the game so keep an eye out.
If you don't fancy the kettling option then usually London Bridge is a nice option, but again certain pubs are frequented by Millwall, however there are several nice bars on the river there which although a bit touristy should be safe.
Capacity: 20,146 (all seated)
Address: Zampa Road, London SE16 3LN
Telephone: 020 7232 1222
Fax: 020 7231 3663
Ticket Office: 0844 826 2004
Pitch Size: 105 x 68 yards
Pitch Type: Grass
Club Nickname: The Lions
Year Ground Opened: 1993