On Friday 16th March a historic sporting event took place. The first match in nearly 100 years between
two of the largest institutions in the area – Goldsmiths College and Millwall Football club.
The match retraced the game between Millwall reserves and Goldsmiths from February 1914,
evidence of which is a single match-day card found by Millwall historian Dave Sullivan.
The collaborative event invited footballers from Street League, the Lion’s Community
Centre, Open Book, Goldsmiths and local people from the surrounding area into Goldsmiths
to play on the seldom used college green. The event was supported by the Goldsmiths Annual Fund.
Rather than Millwall vs. Goldsmiths over two, 45mins halves, it was instead a game
of THREE halves; three teams, three goals, two referees and one football. The
game was kicked-off by Bernie Seaton at 3.15pm, the same kick-off that historically
gave the Dockers time to walk to the match from the Isle of Dogs to New Cross
after work. The three-sided football match was a high speed, tactical encounter
full of drama and plenty of goals. With the touch-line bursting with spectators on
all three sides, their cheers only interrupted by the two energetic and philosophical
commentators, Millwall’s very own Sam Brown and local sports journalist Adam
Clarke. Their voices described the action as if unfolded in front of them, filling the air
throughout the college campus via loud speakers, letting all who heard them know
that Millwall had arrived.
Local Millwall Fan Laura Romitelli commented, ‘The day itself was great. Although
the game was nothing I'd ever seen before: a three sided football match with the
teams trying to concede the fewest goals, there was no hiding the enthusiasm,
commitment, and some skill, of the players. The wide mix of spectators showed
the event was a big success. Millwall and Goldsmiths are arguably the two biggest
institutions in the area and are both very well known in their own field. The fact that
there has been so little collaboration between the two in the past is a great shame
and it would be a real bonus if Friday's event led to a longer lasting relationship.’
The event was a great success and even made headlines in the Southwark News.
The collaboration between Millwall and Goldsmiths will continue and the second leg is
hosted by Millwall at the Millwall vs. Hull match 7th April. This next event brings the music
of the opera ‘Ingerland’ originally inspired and produced using Millwall chants, songs and
fan interviews back to Millwall for the first time. Composer Jocelyn Pook has specially re-
recorded the tracks for their return and to celebrate this, the tracks will be played before
the match and at half time. The songs will then be given to Millwall for their archive which
Dave Sullivan has been bringing together.
We look forward to seeing you there!
