Just What The Doc Ordered

New look lions ready to roar

What a difference a close-season can make! Just three months ago John Docherty was jeered off the pitch after Millwall had earned the point they needed to avoid the relegation play-offs.

For Docherty and his battling young Lions it was a case of 'mission accomplished' - for the success starved Den fans that instantly forgettable 1-1 draw with Sunderland seemed to sum up their whole season.

By Rob Bowden

But the supporters who vented their frustrations on Docherty last season might have changed their tune if they'd had an inkling of the transformation that was about to take place.

Alarmed by rapidly dwindling gates and mounting debts, Millwall chairman Reg Burr, and his boardroom colleagues decided to launch a courageous, all-out assault on the First Division.

Docherty, quietly satisfied at the way his young inexperienced side had preserved their Second Division status, was given the go ahead for the biggest close-season shopping expedition in Millwall’s history.

First he splashed out £80,000 on Portsmouth midfield ace Kevin O'Callaghan, then he snapped up Reading Steve Wood, despite the fact that the two clubs were miles apart when it came to agreeing a fee.

By the time one of the league's independent tribunals had ordered Millwall to pay £85,000 for Wood, Docherty had already spent another £200,000 on highly rated Gillingham striker Tony Cascarino.

And when Millwall took their summer spending past the £1/2 mark by signing George Lawrence from Southampton for £160,000 even the Doc's harshest critics (and there were of them last season), were forced eat their words.

Frank McLintock was so impressed he took the vacant assistant manager's job, and the transformation was complete.

The gloom and doom that accompanied the end of the 1986-87 campaign was suddenly replaced by a wave of optimism and an upsurge in season-ticket sales.

"Last season we had one of the best defensive records in the Second Division", said Docherty, "the problem was that we never rally looked like scoring enough goals at the other end."

"The players I have signed should help increase our fire power and now it's just a question of getting the blend right." 

It all adds up to a courageous gamble by the Millwall directors, a gamble which they know could backfire disastrously if Docherty's new look side fail to produce the goods and attract back the missing thousands.

Docherty himself, has been in the game too long to make any rash predictions about his side's chances of attracting back the fans and featuring in the Second Division promotion race.

Go for it

By Peter Coldwell

MILLWALL start their most important season for years on Saturday when they head north to play Middlesbrough in the Second Division at Ayresome Park. And everyone who cares about the game in SE London will wish them well.

For the first time in years Millwall have made real efforts to make progress, both on and off the pitch. Chairman Reg Burr and his fellow directors have found £500,000 for manager John Docherty to spend on quality players George Lawrence, Tony Cascarino, Kevin O'Callaghan and Steve Wood. 

And the £280,000 deal over four years with Lewisham Council could help promote a genuine sense of community in the Deptford and New Cross areas.

All of which would-be so much sweeter if Millwall find success on the pitch. Indeed, a good start to the season would be the impetus to greater things on all fronts.

Pressure will be on fans to turn up in numbers. None can complain that nothing has been done. If Millwall do well at Middlesbrough and get less than 6,000 for Reading's visit on Tuesday night, the directors will be right to wring their hands.

Chairman Burr, whose own pocket has been scorched by the summer transfer deals, will be like a boy again when he travels north tomorrow (Friday).

"We're all pretty excited about it", said Burr on Tuesday. "I think we should do well in the division. We should be, there or thereabouts."

"We may make a slower start than anticipated because of the difficulty of arranging public practices. But we've got every reason to be hopeful".

"There appears to have been a fair degree of interest from fans. Season tickets are well up and membership of the vice-presidents' club has had to be closed. But we need to see a lot more people for the Barnsley match (on Saturday week) and at the following home games.

"We don't mind paying out for capital assets, but it makes no sense to pay the wages and other expenses every fortnight if people are not turning up in greater numbers."

Injury

George Lawrence, signed from Southampton for £160,000, was a little apprehensive about the reception he might get from fans. But he could become as popular as John Fashanu with his raids from the wing.

Kevin O'Callaghan looks to be the one injury doubt for Saturday as boss Docherty contemplates his first team-sheet for a key campaign.

A special train is going to Middlesbrough on Saturday, although times and prices were unavailable as we went to press.

Members of the Lions' supporters club can get train tickets at the Den and a limited number for non-members will be available at Kings Cross station.

Millwall v Middlesbrough

MILLWALL invested more than £500,000 during the summer and with Frank McLintock now helping manager John Docherty with the coaching they will be strongly fancied promotion.

Tony Cascarino and George Lawrence will provide a powerful striking force, but the Lions face a formidable welcome Arysome Park.

Middlesbrough had the best defensive record in home matches in the Third Division last season an traditionally provide a hostile reception.

The Lions, who were included in the first round draw after finishing in the bottom eight of the Second Division last season, travel across London to Brisbrane Road on August 18, with the return leg at the Den a week later.

John Docherty's new look side will be hoping to improve on last season's disappointing cup showings which saw Millwall lose to Norwich in the third round of the Littlewoods competition plus a humiliating third round FA Cup defeat by Fourth Division Cardiff.

Goals Galore

Cascarino aims to carry on scoring

By Rob Bowden

Goal hungry striker Tony Cascarino didn't need to think twice when John Docherty offered him the chance to spearhead Millwall's Second Division promotion push.

The 24-year-old marksman jumped at the chance of joining the club he supported as a boy - even though it meant that delaying his dream of playing in the First Division.

"I knew that a couple of clubs were interested in me at the end of the last season, but I decided to stay and try and get promotion with Gillingham," explained Cascarino, who cost the Kent club £1,000 and a set of shirts when they signed him from non-league Crockenhill.

"When we were beaten in the play-offs by Swindon I decided the time was right for a Move.

"I would have liked to have joined a First Division club, but there is no reason why I can't achieve my aim of playing there with Millwall."

Cascarino has built up a reputation as one of the Third Division's most prolific during his five seasons with Gillingham, and Millwall had to Ipswich before securing his signature.

"I scored 30 goals in all competitions for Gillingham last season and I am confident that I can carry on scoring in the Second Division," he said. One of Millwall's other new boys - confident that Millwall’s 102-year wait for First Division football could he nearly over.

"When I spoke to Millwall I was impressed with their ambition, and the caliber of the other signing they have made during the summer shows that they mean business," he said.

Wood chucked up the security of a five-year contract at Reading to join in Millwall's promotion push - and so far he has got no regrets despite being forced to miss the Lions opening two games through suspension.

"After meeting the rest of the lads and getting to know them during pre-season, I am more convinced than ever that we can do well."

Milllwall's big money signing have tended to overshadow the other Den new boy Wesley Reid - a free transfer signing from First Division Arsenal.

But Millwall manager John Docherty stressed: "Wesley has got a good future ahead of him. He is a local lad who we have decided to give a chance and I have been very impressed with him during pre-season."

New Boys Miss Out

By Rob Bowden

MILLWALL look certain to kick off their First Division promotion push without two of their summer signings, defender Steve Wood and midfielder Kevin O'Callaghan.

Wood, an £85,000 signing from Reading, is certain to miss tomorrow's testing away match against newly promoted Middlesbrough, because of a two-match suspension carried over from the end of last season.

And O'Callaghan is also doubtful after missing a large chunk of Millwall's pre-season training, first with a stomach strain and then with a hamstring injury.

"Kevin started training again on Tuesday but he has missed quite a tot of the pre-season work and we will have to see how things develop," explained manager John Docherty.

On a brighter note £220,000, striker Tony Cascarino is set to make his Millwall debut, and the 24-year-old marksman is sure that he can carry on where he left of last season. 

"I scored 30 goals for Gillingham last season, I am confident that I can score regularly in the Second as well," he said.

Cascarino will partner Teddy Sheringham upfront with Millwall's other new boy, £160,000 George Lawrence playing wide on the left.

If O'Callaghan doesn't make it Dave Mehmet, who, has come through Millwall's pre-season preparations well after an injury plagued 1986/87 campaign is expected to continue in midfield.

Mehmet got on the score sheet as Millwall forced a 2-2 draw with Doncaster in a friendly on Monday night. Cascarino got the other lions goal but manager Docherty was far from impressed with his side's performance.

"We looked a bit sluggish, and it took us a long time to ge

Middlesbrough, shut out of their ground and on the edge of bankruptcy just 12 months ago, will certainly provide a good test of Millwall's promotion potential.

Their Third Division promotion campaign surprised a lot of people including Boro manager Bruce Rioch, "Given the circumstances it was a great achievement by the players to win promotion at the first attempt," he said.

"It is possible that we have actually leaped a year ahead of what we planned, but I have got a good group of lads and dry know what is expected of them.