Championship rivals brace for renewal of bitter feuds

West Ham prepare to face London rivals Millwall in the first Dockers Derby in 14 years on Saturday at The Den. This high-stakes encounter is a reminder of the two clubs' troubled history, including two deadly clashes in 1976 and 1986. Millwall and West Ham fans have a long-standing rivalry born a century ago in London's docks, and the enmity has remained intense over the years.

In 2009, a Millwall supporter was stabbed outside West Ham's Upton Park stadium before a stormy League Cup tie that led to several pitch invasions. West Ham faced a £115,000 fine and several convictions for failing to control their fans.

Wolves and West Brom are set to clash in the Black Country derby on Sunday, two years after their last meeting turned violent. That game was marred by a bloody stand battle, resulting in 43 arrests and five bans. This weekend's derbies are set to be held under high security in south-east London, with a Section 35 dispersal order allowing police to remove anyone causing disorder.

The Metropolitan Police has issued a statement, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring a safe match. Both clubs have worked together to help maintain order and keep fans separate, with Millwall players to be housed in a different stand to their West Ham counterparts. Millwall's manager, Alex Neil, hopes the intense atmosphere will help his team secure a win against West Ham, who have not beaten Millwall since 2004.

The Wolves and West Brom clash follows a 2024 FA Cup tie that saw crowd trouble, leading to fan assaults, missile attacks, and flare usage. Both teams have vowed to implement stricter safety measures for the upcoming match.