In 1993, after 83 years at what is now known as the Old Den, Millwall upped sticks and moved to their newly-built home at Senegal Fields. But they didn’t move far. Less than half-a-mile down the road, in fact, to the aptly named New Den on Zampa Road.

Plans to redevelop their former base were shelved numerous times over the years, along with ambitious ideas to build a ‘Super Den’ on the site of the adjacent New Cross Stadium, before it was decided upon that a whole new site altogether would be the most viable selection. It was a decision fans did not take lightly; Reg Burr, The Lions’ former Chairman, came in for particular criticism.

The Old Den backed on to the Surrey Commercial Docks on the banks of the River Thames and developed a reputation as one of the most hostile stadiums in the country with the rise of football hooliganism from the 1960s, with its blackened yellow crush barriers, sprawling concrete terraces and floodlights nestled conveniently in the middle of the away enclosure.

In comparison, its replacement features four almost identical stands with four open corners to accompany it. It’s clean-cut and does the job, but the widely accepted view among fans is that it is no match for its predecessor. The stadium’s record attendance stands at 20,093 for the visit of Arsenal in March 1994, though average attendance have peaked at 13,455 since they moved into the ground, albeit they are on target to better than this term.

Supporters will be able to pay by cash or card at the North Stand Ticket Office situated next to the away turnstiles on Sunday.

Did you know?

When the Den was completed in the summer of 1993, not only did it become the first newly-built stadium to comply with the 1990 Taylor Report, but it took the title as the first new stadium to be constructed for a professional football team in London since 1937.

How to get there:

It’s approximately 13 miles from Griffin Park to The Den by road, travelling by car through central London. Should supporters opt to drive, the most straightforward route involves departing the M25 at junction 2 and following the A2 Old Kent Road, which passes very close to the stadium. Other routes to meet the A2 include via the South Circular, the A3, through Clapham, or along The Embankment and via Vauxhall. The stadium sits on Zampa Road, a turning off the A2208, Ilderton Road a little further on. With no major car parks in the area, parking can be difficult to come by at the best of times, however, and travel by public transport is advised.

For a smoother journey, rail travel is perhaps the best option. The closest station, South Bermondsey, is just a few minutes’ walk from the Den and even features a seldom seen direct walkway into the stand for away fans, built to aid the police with sometimes challenging crowd management. It is around a five-minute journey on the Southern service from London Bridge station to South Bermondsey.

Be aware there are no trains on the Barnes to Feltham loop on Sunday due to industrial action.

Given the match is taking place over the Christmas period, fans are advised to check rail connections carefully before leaving.

Where to eat/drink:

There are not a huge amount of pubs in Bermondsey and the areas surrounding the ground, and those pubs that are open generally have a staunch home fans only policy. Nonetheless, with the aforementioned London Bridge just a short train ride away, there are a handful of pubs suitable for a pre-match food and refreshments, including the Shipwright’s Arms on Tooley Street, the Bunch of Grapes on St Thomas Street and the token Wetherspoons, the Pommelers Rest, on Tower Bridge Road. Further on into Borough Market is the historic Market Porter pub - which film fans may recognise as the 'Third Hand Book Emporium' in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Meanwhile, on Borough High Street is the National Trust owned George Inn, another historic establishment, which serves its own George Ale.