Historical Crests Millwall FC

Name: ​ ​ ​ ​​Millwall FC

Nickname(s): ​ ​The Lions

Founded: ​ ​​1885

Stadium: ​ ​ ​The Den (London)​

Capacity: ​ ​​20,146

Millwall FC Crest History

The lion has represented Millwall for almost ninety years and remains the defining feature of the club’s identity today, reflecting the strength, determination and pride traditionally associated with the club and its supporters.

It was not until the 1930s that the lion became firmly established as the club’s symbol.

The lion crest was introduced in 1936 by manager Charlie Hewitt. The first design featured a single rampant red lion, creating a bold and distinctive identity for the club. Although the lion is sometimes incorrectly said to have been chosen because of Millwall’s Scottish roots, the design actually bore a strong resemblance to the traditional signs used by many pubs named “The Red Lion,” one of the most common pub names in Britain.

The lion quickly became synonymous with Millwall and established a visual identity that supporters embraced. Over the following decades, several variations of the symbol appeared, although the lion always remained at the heart of the club’s branding.

Between 1956 and 1974, Millwall adopted one of its most distinctive badges, featuring two red lions leaping towards one another. The design represented a departure from the traditional single lion while maintaining the imagery that had become closely associated with the club. This version became one of the most recognisable crests in Millwall’s history and remains popular among many supporters.

A further evolution arrived in 1979 when the club introduced a new crest featuring a single leaping lion. More dynamic and modern in appearance, the badge reflected contemporary design trends while preserving Millwall’s most important symbol. The leaping lion first appeared on the club’s playing kit in 1979 and remained in use for two decades.

In 1999, under chairman Theo Paphitis, Millwall briefly returned to the historic twin-lion badge, reviving one of the club’s most popular traditional designs. The crest was used for a further eight years and was widely appreciated by supporters who valued its connection to the club’s past.

A major decision came in 2007 when Millwall reintroduced the single leaping lion crest. The badge returned to the design first seen in 1979 and has remained the club’s primary emblem ever since. Its clean and distinctive appearance helped modernise the club’s visual identity while maintaining continuity with one of the most recognisable symbols in Millwall’s history.

Millwall FC Club History

Millwall Football Club was founded in 1885 as Millwall Rovers by workers of J.T. Morton’s canning factory on the Isle of Dogs in East London. Although the club has not played in the Millwall area since 1910, it has retained the Millwall name throughout its history, preserving a strong link to its origins and heritage.

The club quickly established itself as one of the strongest teams in southern England and gained a reputation for competitiveness during its early years. Millwall joined the Football League in 1920 and spent much of the twentieth century competing between the top three divisions of English football.

In 1910, Millwall left the Isle of Dogs and moved south of the River Thames to New Cross, where the club played at what is now known as The Old Den. The stadium served as Millwall’s home for more than eighty years and became one of the most intimidating venues in English football. In 1993, the club moved to a new purpose-built stadium nearby, known simply as The Den, which remains its home today.

The club’s nickname, “The Lions,” dates back to around 1900 when Millwall earned a reputation as giant-killers through a series of impressive FA Cup performances. The lion subsequently became the defining symbol of the club and remains central to its identity.

Although Millwall has rarely been regarded as a top-tier force in English football, the club has enjoyed several notable achievements. The most significant came in 2004 when Millwall reached the FA Cup Final for the first time in its history. Despite losing to Manchester United, the club qualified for the UEFA Cup, marking its first appearance in European competition and one of the greatest moments in its history.

Millwall is perhaps as famous for its supporters as for its performances on the pitch. The club is renowned for its fiercely loyal fanbase, whose reputation has become part of English football folklore. While supporters have often been associated with hooliganism in media coverage, Millwall fans are also known for their unwavering commitment to the club through both successful and difficult periods. Their most famous terrace chant, “No one likes us, we don’t care,” has become synonymous with the club’s identity and reflects the siege mentality embraced by many supporters.

Millwall’s fiercest rivalry is with West Ham United. The rivalry dates back to the clubs’ origins in the docklands of East London and is widely regarded as one of the most intense rivalries in English football. The fixture has been contested since 1899 and remains one of the game's most notorious derbies.

Strong rivalries also exist with Leeds United, while Millwall regularly contests the South London derby against Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic. These matches are among the most anticipated fixtures of the season and play a significant role in the club’s identity.

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