Millwall's class of 2026 stand on the brink of something special—a chance to etch their names alongside the legendary 1987-88 side that last brought top-flight football to The Den. Under the guidance of Alex Neil, this group of Lions has clawed their way to third in the Championship, finishing just a single point behind runners-up Ipswich Town. Now, a two-legged play-off semifinal against Hull City awaits, starting with a trip to the MKM Stadium on Friday. Win that, and it's either Southampton or Middlesbrough standing between them and a Premier League return.
"We're really confident in what we're doing," Neil told BBC Radio London. "We believe we're capable of going anywhere and winning games." That belief has been the backbone of a season that has reignited hopes of ending a 36-year exile from the top tier—a journey marked by highs, lows, and heartbreak.
Millwall's fall from grace began with relegation from the top flight in 1989-90. They twice reached the second-tier playoffs under Bruce Rioch and Mick McCarthy, only to fall short before dropping to the third tier in 1995-96. A Division Two title in 2001 brought them back up, but playoff heartbreak against Birmingham City followed. Then came the unforgettable FA Cup run of 2003-04 under Dennis Wise, which took them all the way to the final against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. A young Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy spoiled the fairytale with a 3-0 win in Cardiff.
Since then, Millwall have bounced between divisions, twice winning promotion from League One via the playoffs. Steve Morison's late winner against Bradford City in the 2017 final at Wembley remains a cherished memory. But this current squad, driven by Neil's tactical acumen and a never-say-die attitude, feels different. They have the chance to match the heroes of 1988 and write a new chapter in Lions lore—one that could finally see them roar back into the Premier League.