Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney, Stuart Burgess
Stuart Burgess
Guest(s)
Release Date
14 November 2024
Duration
79 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by London football expert Stuart Burgess to relive Millwall’s historic 1988–1990 adventure in the top flight — a brief but unforgettable chapter in English football history.
Promoted to the First Division for the first time in 1988, John Docherty’s Millwall brought raw intensity, unrelenting work rate, and a dose of South London defiance to the elite. Backed by the prolific strike partnership of Tony Cascarino and a young Teddy Sheringham, the Lions shocked English football by topping the league in the early months of the 1988–89 season.
At the heart of the team stood Terry Hurlock, the archetypal hard man whose ferocity and leadership embodied the club’s spirit — though his reputation often outgrew the reality of his record. Around him, players like Herbie Smith, Alan McLeary, and Les Briley built a side that mixed courage with cohesion.
The discussion also dives into the ferocious atmosphere of The Den, Millwall’s spiritual home, where the noise, passion, and intimidation factor were legendary. The hosts unpack what made this team unique — not just as footballers, but as a cultural reflection of late-80s London.
Though Millwall’s stay in the First Division lasted just two seasons, their impact was seismic: a moment when the Lions roared among giants.
Takeaways
Millwall’s first-ever top-flight campaign in 1988–89
Sheringham & Cascarino’s legendary strike partnership
Terry Hurlock’s hard-man reputation and influence in midfield
The Den’s reputation as one of football’s most intimidating venues
Millwall’s passionate fan culture and brief, dramatic stay in the First Division
Millwall 1988–1990: The South London Roar
When Millwall were promoted to the First Division in 1988, few expected them to survive — let alone thrive. Yet under John Docherty, the South London underdogs stormed into England’s top tier and made history.
Led by the iconic strike partnership of Tony Cascarino and Teddy Sheringham, Millwall briefly sat top of the league during the 1988–89 season, playing a brand of football that was physical, fearless, and relentlessly driven. Behind them, Terry Hurlock anchored the midfield with controlled aggression, while the roar of The Den made life miserable for visiting giants.
Docherty’s side embodied the heart of working-class football: unity, intensity, and a will to defy the odds. Though their top-flight spell lasted just two seasons, their impact was lasting. They proved that success isn’t just measured in silverware — it’s in moments, memories, and the pride of standing among football’s elite.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Millwall’s first-ever First Division campaign (1988–89)
John Docherty’s leadership and tactical pragmatism
Cascarino and Sheringham’s strike partnership
The Den’s unmatched atmosphere and intimidation factor
London football culture and Millwall’s lasting legacy
Millwall top of the First Division (October 1988)
Cascarino and Sheringham’s prolific partnership
Victory over Arsenal at The Den
The Den’s fearsome atmosphere on live TV
Relegation heartbreak in 1990 ending a remarkable run
Notable Manager
John Docherty
Notable Players
Teddy Sheringham, Tony Cascarino, Terry Hurlock, Alan McLeary, Les Briley, Steve Wood, Herbie Smith, Keith Stevens, Nicky Coleman, Jimmy Carter, Colin Pates
Style of Play
4-4-2, Direct, Physical, High Press, Compact, Counter-Attacking, Determined
Millwall under John Docherty were the embodiment of organised aggression. Built around a compact 4-4-2, their game plan relied on physical intensity, direct attacks, and a fierce competitive edge that unsettled more glamorous opponents.
The strike partnership of Cascarino and Sheringham was the side’s heartbeat — Cascarino’s aerial dominance and work rate complemented by Sheringham’s intelligence, touch, and finishing. Midfielders Terry Hurlock and Les Briley provided steel and tempo, protecting a back line that thrived on structure and commitment rather than flair.
Docherty’s Millwall didn’t just fight; they played to their strengths. Quick transitions, long diagonal passes, and relentless pressing created chaos for opponents unused to their intensity. Matches at The Den were battles of endurance as much as skill — a cauldron of noise and defiance that turned the smallest mistakes into opportunities.
Though their stay in the top flight was short, their approach was influential: pragmatic yet fearless, proof that tactical discipline and team spirit could elevate even the most modest club.
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