The New Den

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = The New Den


fullname = New Den Stadium
nickname = The Den
built = 1993
opened = 1993
seating_capacity = 20,146
tenants = Millwall F.C.
dimensions = 105 x 68 yards

The New Den is the home of Millwall F.C. (originally called "The New London Stadium"). The ground is referred to by Millwall supporters as The Den. It is situated in Bermondsey, South East London, almost directly adjacent to the railway line between London Bridge and New Cross Gate, plus a large incinerator. It is under a quarter of a mile away from the original Den. Built on the site of an old church at Senegal Fields, it has an all-seated capacity of 20,146, although the average attendance for the 2005-06 season was just 9,529. The local press and fans groups argued that this was due in part, to the "Membership Scheme" introduced by former club Chairman Theo Paphitis. Toby Porter, Chief Sportswriter of the South London Press, argued that the scheme whilst detering the "hooligan element", also deterred decent law abiding fans who were reluctant to hand over sensitive personal information in order to watch a game of football.

The scheme introduced by Paphitis now applies to away games only.

History

The New Den was the first new all seater stadium to be completed after the Taylor Report on the Hillsborough disaster. It was designed with effective crowd management in mind, with the escape routes being short and direct. Originally, it was planned to have a seating capacity of between 25,000 to 30,000. Millwall however, could not meet the additional cost. [ [http://www.millwall-history.co.uk/the_den5.htm Moving On: The New Den ] ]

Millwall played their final game on 8 May 1993 at The Den after 83 years, and moved to the new 20,000 all-seater stadium a quarter of a mile away from Cold Blow Lane at Senegal Fields. The £16 million New Den was opened by John Smith MP on 4 August 1993 prior to a prestigious friendly against Sporting Clube de Portugal. The New Den was the first new football stadium constructed for a professional team in London since 1937.

The New Den is the sixth ground that Millwall have occupied since their formation as a Football Club in Millwall on the Isle of Dogs in 1885.

On 1 May 2006, the New Den hosted the FA Women's Cup Final between Arsenal L.F.C. and Leeds United L.F.C.. Arsenal Ladies won the Cup 5 - 0.

In Drama

The New Den doubles as "The Dragons Lair", home ground of Harchester United in the TV series "Dream Team". It also appeared in an episode of the ITV show Primeval.

The Den is used on a regular basis by the TV and film industry. It was used to film an episode of "The Bill" during the home game against Leyton Orient in March 2008 (aired on ITV in June 2008). Sportswear giant Nike filmed their "Take It To The Next Level" advertistment over a period of three days and nights at The Den also in March 2008 [ [http://www.millwallfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~1313644,00.html Location location | Millwall | News | Breaking News | Breaking News ] ]

Celebrity Soccer Sixes

The New Den hosted the Samaritans Celebrity Soccer Sixes on 18 May 2008. Film and Telelevison Stars played at The Den, the first time the event has not been hosted by a Premier League Club. Babyshambles failed to retain the trophy, losing 3-2 to dance act Faithless. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7408006.stm BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Doherty swaps music for football ] ]

The winners of the women's trophy were Cansei de Ser Sexy. Around 150 celebrities took part including, McFly, Tony Hadley, Amy Winehouse and ex Millwall fan favourite Terry Hurlock to raise money for the charity [ [http://www.millwallfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~1316077,00.html Celeb spotting | Millwall | News | Breaking News | Breaking News ] ]

Average attendances

* 2005-06: 9,529 (Football League Championship).
* 2004-05: 11,656 (Football League Championship).
* 2003-04: 10,497 (First Division).
* 2002-03: 8,512 (First Division).

Details

Pitch

:Length: 112 yards :Width: 74 yards

Address

:Zampa Road:Bermondsey:London:SE16 3LN

Notes

External links

* [http://www.millwallfc.co.uk Millwall's official site]
* [http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/park/yfh45/millwall.htm The New Den] at the Internet Football Ground Guide