Simon Jordan names Millwall’s ‘real rivalry’ and it isn’t West Ham | OneFootball

West Ham are set for their first clash against rivals Millwall in 14 years this weekend

Simon Jordan has claimed that Millwall fans aren’t as threatening now as they used to be ahead of their upcoming derby clash with West Ham.

Footage emerged in the lead up to this weekend’s clash of a person presumed to be a Lions supporter trying to intimidate Tomas Soucek.

The two sides have not faced each other since February 2012, when the Hammers were last competing in the Championship.

Millwall have not beaten their east London rivals since 2004, losing two and drawing two of their four clashes since.

But they will have the opportunity to end the wait for a win against West Ham this weekend at the Den.

Alex Neil’s side will be hoping to end a three game winless run as well, having lost two of their last three fixtures in all competitions.

Simon Jordan makes Millwall rivalry claim

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Jordan has claimed that Millwall’s real historic rivalry is with Chelsea, and not actually West Ham, and that Crystal Palace are also among the top rivals for the Lions.

He believes that their supporters are all bark and no bite now compared to in years gone by, and that the root of the contention with the Hammers comes from the hooligan groups of the past, such as the Inter City Firm (ICF) from the 1970s and 80s.

“Millwall fans these days are a lot more bark than they are bite,” said Jordan, via Talksport.

“There was a time when they were [more threatening].

“And the real rivalry is Millwall and Chelsea,

“And that [rivalry with West Ham emerged] because of their hooliganism element, in terms of the ICF at West Ham and whatever Millwall’s firm was called.

“And obviously there was a rivalry between Palace and Millwall, and I’ve seen these things first hand.”

Millwall and West Ham’s promotion ambitions

Millwall were in the mix for automatic promotion to the Premier League last season, and Neil’s side will be hoping to compete for at least a top eight finish this year.

However, the Lions have had a mixed start to the new campaign and have earned 10 points from a possible 21 available in their opening seven fixtures.

The London outfit are already four points behind leaders West Ham, and that gap could rise to seven this weekend if they lose at home to their rivals.

Meanwhile, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now on a four-match winning run in the Championship, which has put them to the top of the table.

The Irons have earned victories over Wolves, Derby County, Bolton Wanderers and Wrexham in recent weeks, scoring 16 times in that period.

West Ham will be favoured going into their clash at the Den this Saturday, with the game set to get underway at 12.30pm.

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Millwall and West Ham meeting will be intense

While the history behind Millwall and West Ham may not stretch back as far as their rivalry with other London clubs like Palace and Chelsea, there’s no doubting its ferocity.

This will be one of the most intense games of the campaign, and one that both sets of supporters will be eager to see their team earn a positive result from.

However, it is perhaps for the best that some of the intensity isn’t as strong as it once was, with violent scenes an unnecessary and outdated element of the matchgoing experience.

While everyone is hoping for an entertaining affair between West Ham and Millwall this weekend, it should also be a safe environment for the players, and the fans.