MILLWALL Football Club have apologised and admitted they should have consulted their Supporters’ Club, Fan Advisory Board and the Lionesses before agreeing to allow London City Lionesses to use The Den for a Women’s Super League fixture next month.
There was anger from supporters of both the men’s and women’s sides at the news, with the MSC saying in a statement that London City “had left our Lionesses with nothing, stealing their position in the women’s league and forcing them to restart again in league 5”.
That referred to 2019, when the then board and management of Millwall Lionesses broke away to form London City, with the Football Association approving the transfer of Millwall’s Championship licence to the new entity. The Lionesses had to enter the Eastern Region Women’s Football League.
Chelsea have had their game against London City brought forward from Sunday to Saturday, March 21, because they play in the Champions League the following Tuesday. London City play at Hayes Lane but Bromley’s men’s side are in League Two action that Saturday. WSL clubs are required to have back-up venues.
Millwall FC released a statement last week addressing the Lionesses, MSC, and the FAB’s concerns.
“First and foremost, the club acknowledges that more thorough consultation should have taken place with all three parties earlier in this process and sincerely apologises for the upset this caused,” the statement read.
“The club is fully aware of the history between the Millwall Lionesses and London City and understands the strength of feeling attached to it.
“When London City were promoted to the WSL in May 2025, Millwall agreed to allow The Den to serve as a back-up venue to London City’s main home ground, Hayes Lane, Bromley, in case of a fixture clash or an emergency.
“The club understands the feelings that this decision has reignited and following our discussions, we have agreed that as an immediate commitment, all net revenue generated by the club from this fixture will be reinvested back into Millwall Lionesses.
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“While there are currently no plans for further collaboration with London City beyond the back-up ground agreement, the club is clear that Millwall Lionesses, the Fan Advisory Board and Millwall Supporters’ Club will be at the heart of any future decisions.
“Over the past week, the club has held constructive meetings with the Fan Advisory Board, Millwall Supporters’ Club, Lionesses manager, Ted Jones, and captain, Jordan Butler, and we thank them all for their time and honest feedback. The discussions between all groups have been beneficial in shaping a vision and working group for future, sustainable success of the Lionesses, in line with the team’s ambition to compete at the highest level.
“We recognise and proudly support the work both on and off the pitch that the Lionesses do across our community.”
Millwall will host the Lionesses’ L&SERWFL Premier Division game against Sutton United at The Den on March 29 and have pledged to host one fixture in each international break next season as well as helping out with media and marketing.
The Supporters’ Club accepted the club’s “acknowledgement that they were wrong not to have put [Millwall Lionesses] centre stage in their thoughts from the start”.
They added: “From this, however, came an opportunity and we will work with our Lionesses and the club to ensure that the full potential of it is met.”
Butler also welcomed Millwall’s statement. She said: “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the club as we move ahead together. Our squad remains proud to represent this badge. The players continue to give their time, energy and make personal sacrifices purely for the love of the club, and we remain focused on progressing together and building a strong, sustainable future for Millwall Lionesses, returning this great club to where it belongs.
“We would love to see that continued support at our upcoming fixture on March 29 at The Den, where it would mean a great deal to the players to have the Millwall community behind us.”
The Lionesses were beaten 1-0 by Dartford at Princes Park at the weekend.
Jones’s side are next in action away to Saltdean United on March 8.
Still find it staggering we agreed to be their ‘back up’ ground in the first place