'I took a girl to West Ham vs Millwall on a first date – the match turned into a riot'

Enjoying a first date watching West Ham take on Millwall is certainly an experience one West Ham fan will never forget. It's a decision that the supporter regretted after the Upton Park riots in 2009 and one he'll likely not make again ahead of the east London sides facing each other for the first time in 14 years on Saturday at The Den.

All meetings between the clubs are tense occasions and their second round tie in the Carling Cup 17 years ago proved just that. The match was hosted at West Ham's former ground, Upton Park, with a heavy police presence both outside and inside the stadium.

Millwall's Neil Harris had given the away side the lead and looked to be heading towards victory, before Junior Stanislas netted a late equaliser. The leveller sparked a pitch invasion among the home fans, which caused the match to be temporarily stopped, despite West Ham players pleading with their supporters.

Play later resumed with the match heading into extra-time and it was Stanislas who struck his second goal of the game, before Zavon Harris added a third to book the Hammers' place in the next round.

It wasn't the thrilling action on the pitch that hit headlines. Instead, it was news that 80 people suspected of violence before and after the match were arrested, while a Millwall fan was stabbed in the chest before kick-off.

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The chaotic scenes were doubly horrific for West Ham supporter Rick Galer, who had chosen the match as the location for his first date with his girlfriend. "That match was my first date with my girlfriend," the 36-year-old said, who was 19 at the time, told The Athletic .

"I told her parents it wouldn’t be that bad. But we got to Upton Park station and straight away I knew it was a mistake. There were loads of police and all sorts were being chucked from The Queens pub. I took all the back roads around Priory Road to avoid the trouble.

"Her mum watched the game and heard Phil Thompson (the former Liverpool midfielder and pundit for Sky Sports ) say, ‘If my kids were at this game, I’d feel terrified.’ So she started to worry even more. Her father is a cabbie and he said he’d pick us up near Forest Gate station (a 38-minute walk from Upton Park stadium)."

Galer admitted his girlfriend's dad gave him the silent treatment on their way home. He added: "When we saw him, I said, ‘I’m really sorry, I didn’t know it was going to be that bad.’ He just gave me this look and didn’t say a word during the journey back. I wasn’t on his Christmas card list that year!"

Both clubs were charged by the Football Association for failing to control their fans. West Ham were fined £115,000, while Millwall were cleared of the charges. In the aftermath of the violence, the Hammers banned at least 54 people for life from Upton Park.

The two clubs have met just twice since but will play each other home and away this season in the Championship. Millwall's trip to the London Stadium is scheduled for February 2027.