Rocking all over Europe

By Stephen 18
May 28 2004

When Status Quo belted out of the sound system shortly after the presentation of the FA Cup, it appeared to mark the end of a memorable story. Man U may have been parading the trophy, but the din of the Lions' unofficial anthem to the Lions' provoked a flurry of blue flags to be waved...

Manchester United may have been parading the trophy, but the din of the unofficial anthem to the Lions' remarkable resurgence this season provoked a flurry of blue flags to be waved that demonstrated a far more appreciative response from the losing set of fans towards their players, than their winning counterparts.

These days, hearing 'Rocking all over the World' conjures up the glowing images of celebration and joy that followed home victories in the heady days of late winter and early spring, when Dennis Wise's army were literally tearing up the rule books with each game.

So to the select band of international observers in Cardiff with such in-depth Millwall knowledge, it is neat and tidy for a song that symbolised first the early days of promise and then the unbelievable afternoons of fulfilment, to provide the closing chapter for the underdogs who enjoyed a never to be repeated 90 minutes in the sun.

Because that is what the national consensus is towards Millwall.

It is widely thought that the club has achieved the impossible in a one-off season thanks to a combination of luck, determination, organisation and a sprinkling of skill from the odd gifted individual.

Over and out, never to be seen again, apart from the occasional headline grabbing off the pitch incident.

Quite simply, that cannot be allowed to happen.

It would be a tragedy if this season was reminisced over in such a manner, and not used as concrete foundations to build a club worthy of enjoying days in the sun against Manchester United every season.

It would be devastating if, in twelve months time, the FA Cup Final is merely viewed as a fond memory to look back on as solace for a third successive mid-table finish.

Because the club's stature could not be higher than it is at the moment, and needs to be capitalised on.

As a consequence of the cup run there is money in the bank, players and fans are both vehemently rowing in the same direction in support of manager Wise, and Millwall's international profile has been elevated to a fine level thanks to the exceptional performance by their supporters in front of nearly 3 billion people last Saturday.

On top of the talent already at the Den, a new crop of youngsters are also keen to make an even bigger impression, as shown by this season’s emergence of Marvin Elliott, Peter Sweeney and a youngest ever cup final appearance for Curtis Weston.

What with the carrot of European Football next campaign, there is absolutely no reason why new fans and players should not be desperate to get a piece of this club on the up in south east London.

Twelve months ago chairman Theo Paphitis pledged that he was going to do everything in his power to lead Millwall into the Premiership next season.

As it happens, Paphtitis's forecast was a year early. Back in the summer of 2003 there was a question mark over Mark McGhee's future and the then boss had to convince his own players, chairman and fans that promotion was there for the taking.

But there are no such issues this time around.

With all the odds in Wise's favour, now is the time to give him the full backing to take the Lions to the next level.

What the FA Cup Final did was magnify the areas of weakness within the side that need to be strengthened, and both Paphitis and Wise know that the influx of new faces this summer is essential.

That does not include spending ridiculous money and over-inflated wages on under-performing players. Far from it. This is the opportunity for cash to be spent shrewdly, and a chance to use the club's rekindled prestige as a tool to persuade talented players with the right attitude to join the Premiership chase.

There is still much to be sorted out in-house as well. Three goalkeepers - including last season's player of the year Tony Warner - will be out of contract at the end of next month, and that situation is one that needs addressing.

The much coveted Tim Cahill has got a year left on his deal. It would be a great boost if the Australian was to pledge his future to Millwall over the summer, rather than wait for a free transfer in a year's time or join one of the big guns in the next couple of months.

And then there is the manager himself.

Wise is one of the most intensely ambitious and driven people you could ever meet, and he wants to succeed as a boss in a big way.

What with Sheffield Wednesday's Ken Bates always sniffing around, and the top division due to rekindle a fashion for English management any year now, Millwall need to move in tandem with Wise's ambitions to keep hold of one of the most precocious home-grown bosses out there.

Nobody sums up the attitude Millwall require more than player of the year Darren Ward.

Far from basking in the glow of his first ever cup final, the big defender looked sickened by defeat.

Not only did Ward disagree with the popular consensus that Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to name Ruud Van Nistelrooy as man of the match was wrong, he found it insulting.

Insulting that a striker who he had contained for long periods of the game should receive such an accolade and therefore paint him in a bad light.

Ward was as devastated with losing to United in the cup final as he would have been going down to Canvey Island in a behind-closed doors friendly a week earlier.

And that is what Millwall need.

Wise already has it in spades, and to make ensure that the story does not end here, Millwall have to get players with a winning mentality that defies opposition, occasion and handicaps.

It is there to be achieved, and though Millwall will be rocking all over the world next season regardless, there is no era better than the present to make sure that the impossible dream becomes a regular occurrence.