A lifelong Millwall fan fulfilled his dying wish by clapping off every player at The Den just days before he passed away aged 83.
Eddie Reed first went to The Den as a boy in the 1950s and as a proud father of four, grandfather to nine and great-grandfather to 14, he has been responsible for a whole pride of lions.
Having barely missed a home game in eight decades, Eddie returned for the last time on 31 January to see the Lions draw 1-1 with Sheffield United.
His grandson, Tom Hayes, 35, who flew in from Spain at short notice to join the family at the match, said: “He was always very emotionally invested in Millwall, but this season he was just happy to be there.
“A Millwall loss used to give him the hump for a week, but recently he didn’t care about the score.”
Eddie had been living with a progressive lung disease and was receiving care at St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham. His condition meant he relied on an oxygen tank to breathe, making the five-mile trip to The Den a significant risk.
Alison, a doctor at the hospice, said to Eddie: “If time were getting shorter, what is most important to you?” He replied: “It would be to see Millwall play again.”
Millwall’s next home match was the following day and hospice staff worked hard to ensure Eddie could make the game equipped with portable oxygen cylinders.
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Alison said: “His family were aware he could collapse and could die at the match, but to go to the game was his wish. And his family wanted it for him too, so we all made it happen.
“He was such a gentleman and a real family man, that’s what was most important to him.””
Another grandson, who is a London cabbie, drove Eddie and his wheelchair to the ground, where they met other family members to mark the sad but special occasion.
In recent months, on previous visits, Eddie had left early to avoid running out of oxygen. On his final trip, however, he stayed until the last possible moment and applauded every single player off the pitch.
Eddie grew up in Greenwich before moving to the now-demolished Silwood Estate in Rotherhithe yards away from the new Den. When asked what the highlight of the day was, Eddie said: “Just being there.”
Tom posted a video to X of the moment, which he described as “heartbreaking but special”. It received over 800,000 views and condolences poured in from thousands of fans across the globe.
The family had always been season ticket holders and last season they got a disabled season ticket to ensure Eddie could watch the Lions despite his declining health.
Tom had been going to watch Millwall games with his grandad since he was a boy. Reflecting on his memories, he said: “I grew up with grandad and he took me to all the games with him, the FA Cup final, play-off games and it was just the norm.”
He now lives in Spain with his young family and works as a PE teacher, but was still flying back every three weeks to take Eddie to The Den.
He said: “He was hoping it wouldn’t be his last home game, but deep down we knew it would be.”
Tom flew back home as soon as he found out his grandad was able to attend one last game.
He continued: “My 1-year-old son is definitely going to support Millwall and I took him to a game back in October so he could get a picture with grandad. I want to continue the traditions of taking him to The Den when I can.”
Eddie sadly passed away on Wednesday last week (11 February) surrounded by his loving family.
To make a donation to St Christopher’s in Eddie’s memory, visit: https://bit.ly/stchristophersdonateforEddie
