As Newport County prepare to take on Millwall, we take a closer look at the Lions.
Millwall’s Story
Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained the Millwall name despite relocating from the Isle of Dogs in 1910. Since joining the Football League in the 1920–21 season, Millwall have experienced 11 promotions—five of them as champions in 1928, 1938, 1962, 1988, and 2001—and nine relegations. Over 99 seasons in the Football League, they have spent 92 years alternating between the second and third tiers, with a brief but memorable spell in the top flight from 1988 to 1990. During that period, they achieved their highest-ever league finish, securing 10th place in the First Division in the 1988–89 season.
Millwall’s history also includes a notable run to the 2004 FA Cup Final, which earned them their first appearance in European competition, participating in the UEFA Cup. The club has also enjoyed domestic cup success, winning the Football League Group Cup in 1983, finishing as Football League Trophy runners-up in 1999, and securing promotion to the Championship through League One play-off victories in 2010 and 2017.
The Manager
Alex Neil was appointed Millwall head coach in December 2024, stepping in after the departure of club legend Neil Harris. Signing a long-term deal, he brought with him a strong track record from previous managerial spells at Norwich City, Preston North End, Sunderland, and Stoke City.
As a player, Neil enjoyed a steady career in both Scotland and England, turning out for Airdrieonians, Barnsley, Mansfield Town, and Hamilton Academical, where he also took on the role of player-manager. Known for his composure and reliability, he was equally effective in midfield and in organising the team from deeper positions.
Neil’s managerial career began at Hamilton in 2013, where he led them to promotion to the Scottish Premiership through the play-offs the following year. He went on to guide Norwich City to the Premier League in 2015 via the Championship play-offs, before going on to manage Preston North End, achieving a seventh-place Championship finish. A short but successful spell at Sunderland followed, with Neil leading the Black Cats back to the Championship through the 2022 League One play-offs.
When he arrived at The Den, Millwall were sitting mid-table, and the early weeks brought little joy, with no wins in his first four games. But Neil soon found the right balance, overseeing six wins in his next 15 matches and pushing the Lions into the thick of the play-off race. Millwall’s late-season form wasn’t quite enough to break into the top six, but an eighth-place finish—just two points off the play-offs—was a sign of progress and laid a strong foundation for the following campaign.
The Captain
Jake Cooper first arrived at Millwall on loan from Reading in January 2017 and made such an impact that the move was made permanent that summer. Since then, he’s been a fixture at the heart of The Den’s defence, building a reputation as one of the most dependable performers in the Championship.
Standing at 1.93m, Cooper combines presence with composure. He famously played every single minute of the 2018–19 season, chipping in with six goals and six assists from centre-back—form that saw him pick up the Manager’s Young Player of the Year award for a second year running.
His durability has become the stuff of Millwall folklore. In December 2020, after dislocating his shoulder mid-match, he played on and barely missed a beat—ending a run of 136 consecutive appearances only when absolutely forced to. By the 2022–23 season, he had reached the landmark of 300 games for the club, underlining his longevity and importance.
Now club captain, Cooper leads with authority, organising the defence and setting standards on and off the pitch. As Millwall continue to push towards their ambitions, his leadership, experience, and commitment make him a figure the fans and teammates alike look to in the big moments.
Key Players
Japhet Tanganga
Born in Hackney in 1999, Japhet Tanganga came through Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, making his senior debut in 2019 and going on to feature in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League. Known for his committed defending and versatility, he gained valuable experience against top-level opposition before joining Millwall on loan in January 2024, a move made permanent that summer.
Comfortable at centre-back or right-back, Tanganga quickly became a key figure at The Den. In his first full season (2024–25), he made 40 league appearances, scored twice, and was named Millwall’s Player of the Year. Still just 26, his calm presence and consistency have made him an integral part of the squad’s ambitions.
Mihailo Ivanovic
Born in Novi Sad in 2004, Mihailo Ivanović began his career with Vojvodina, making his senior debut in 2022 before a loan spell with Serie A side Sampdoria. His breakthrough came in the 2023–24 season, where his goalscoring form in the Serbian SuperLiga earned him a move to Millwall in August 2024 for a reported £2.8 million.
In his debut Championship campaign, Ivanović netted 12 league goals, claimed both Millwall’s Young Player of the Year and Goal of the Season awards, and made his senior debut for Serbia in November 2024. At just 20 years old, his pace, sharp finishing, and composure mark him as one of the Lions’ brightest prospects.