Millwall v Swansea City
Craig Turner, 20241219
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In /Crisis of state authority, identity politics at heart of UK riots/, Greg
Sheridan asks, "Have you been on a train with Millwall football supporters
lately?" [1]

I took a train from London to Swansea in late 2019 to deliver an ipad to my
father-in-law, who was sick in hospital. There was an unusual atmosphere on
the train. I pieced together that there was a game that day between Swansea
and Millwall, with most of the people on the train being Millwall supporters.

The chaps in the seats behind me had a long and confused - and long - and
confused - conversation about bonds they had bought in the club. Had the bonds
been a good investment? Many matters were covered in that discussion. The
original purchase price of the bonds never came up. As a result, none of us
were able to form a conclusion.

The cabbie at the Swansea end of that trip was memorable. He was determined to
convince me that Russian soldiers operating in Syria had been unfairly
portrayed in western press as slaughtering civilians, whereas in fact they had
been defending civilians. He explained that the problems in Syria were caused
by the Americans. I managed to change the conversation to ice-cream. He
endorsed Jo's, explaining that Verdi's was for posers.

Having lived in Bermondsey and the Isle of Dogs for years, I met many cabbies
over the years who were Millwall fans. Yet also - one more in Malta about a
month ago. More than once, my accent took the drivers' thoughts to Australian
footballer Tim Cahill. Cahill was a key player in the team that took Millwall
from obscurity to the FA Cup Grand Final in 2004.

One story that comes up again and again is of Tim Cahill's return to Millwall
in 2018. Cahill moved away from the club after the 2004 season. But in 2018,
Cahill was back in London, seeking to build playing time ahead of his last
World Cup performance for Australia. He signed with Millwall. At his return
game, they gave him the stage. He spoke about the offers he had received. He
said he had held off accepting any of them, hoping for a return call from his
original UK club, Millwall. By every telling, the roar from the crowd was
immense. Cahill is well-loved at Millwall.



:1 https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/crisis-of-state-authority-identity-politics-at-heart-of-uk-riots/news-story/79817a137f7d33a492746d6a55141e3c?commentId=30291c36-0e40-4bbd-a22c-27c5bc01d6ea