Lewisham Labour no use in the Lions’ Den


James Kerr, Lewisham TUSC organiser and Millwall season ticket holder

Millwall fans have reacted angrily to Lewisham’s Labour-run council agreeing the sale of land around the football club’s New Den stadium to developer Renewal.

Renewal wants the land, currently leased to the club, as part of a multi-million pound regeneration of the area.

Revenue from the regeneration was a key plank in the club’s long-term plans. The sale puts the club and the Millwall Community Scheme at risk.

Labour says the sale comes after Millwall dropped the ball with the recent submission of business plans.

But Lewisham council is making a fast buck from land close to the City at the expense of fans and the local community.

Lewisham supporters of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) oppose the sale of public land and believe the council should move to halt the sale and safeguard the future of the club.

A democratic mass campaign could mobilise thousands of Lions fans and the local community to force the council back.

TUSC also welcomes the suggestion that Millwall fans should stand against Labour councillors in the May election.

TUSC will also be standing across the borough to offer an anti-cuts, anti-privatisation alternative to the main parties.

Lions fans should lobby councillors at the council budget setting meeting on 26 February.

Big business sees the Den as a barrier to lucrative land near the City of London. Why should working class people get to spend their Saturday afternoons there when there is money to be made?

There have already been discussions about a potential move out of the city to Kent, something Renewal will use as a stick to beat us with unless we mobilise to stop the sale and defend our club.