By Stephen 18
February 25 2005

Stephen Eighteen of the Southwark News reckons the club's in the midst of a crisis and there certainly seems to be a lot of negativity around at present. The season seems to have be written off with the imminent sale of Dobie, so you can't blame the fans for feeling downcast. At a time when Millwall fans have put their differences aside and pledged solidarity, the football club itself lies in a state of turmoil.

Last weekend saw the unveiling of a link up between Millwall Independent Supporters' Club and the fanzine No-One Likes Us.

After the sad death of NOLU's editor Keith Pegg last summer, the independent supporters group has decided to break out from being known largely as an internet messageboard, to pump new life into the popular publication at the same time as spreading the word of their own organisation.

Meanwhile, the Lions Trust goes from strength to strength. The share-hunting fans are currently going through a purple patch, with new members signing up rapidly and a message that is being transmitted in the media and fanzines more often than ever before.

The Millwall Supporters' Club may be on the verge of folding, but their collected stance in standing down at the end of the season demonstrates a strong sense of unity that will prove successful in the long run.

Word has it that even more unifications and collective projects are going to be announced before the end of the season, and it is great news that Millwall fans are finally beginning to shed their reputation as a disjointed bunch of moaners, in preference of working together with purpose for the better.

Make no mistake; it has not been easy. There was a time not too long ago when the different cliques looked at each other with an air of superiority that led to a splintered, apathetic culture on the terraces.

But what has changed now is that there is an acceptance of diversity within the organisations.

Gone are the days when the Trust was mocked as being too ambitious, or when MISA was labelled as nothing more than a glorified coach-running society, or when the MSC were deemed by some as being too close to the club to wield any influence.

It is now a case of live and let live. Members of each of the groups have their own views and strengths, and it does not matter that on occasions they are totally at odds with one another.

Because though Millwall means a different thing to each individual, if you can channel that same blue blood running through millions of veins into a unified whole, it can conquer everything and circulate to form a cohesive structure where all parts are pulling in the same direction.

It’s remarkable to think that those at the helm of our club are considered role models to these fans, because at the moment the average Joe is putting them to shame.

Amongst a catalogue of attacks on the board, Dennis Wise had the following to say in the post-match press conference after the home defeat to Stoke last Saturday.

“I wanted to try and get Rob Hulse, Michael Gray and Shaun Derry at one stage, but unfortunately I got told that I couldn't bring players in.

“I'm here to do a job. I will try to do a job the best I can, but it makes it more difficult in the way that things have changed.”

Us in the media are often accused of fishing for quotes that may stoke up tension, but nobody in the room last Saturday set Wise up to make these comments.

What on earth has happened to the closely-knit football club we all used to look up to?

The dignity of yesteryear seems to have been replaced by a desire to tell the world all about whatever grievances that may be simmering behind closed doors in a hope that it will make things better.

Unfortunately it doesn’t work like that.

Wise said similar things after the Gillingham game the previous weekend, to the press during the week and made a mention of his concerns in Saturday's matchday programme.

So we know how he feels, we know that he harbours reservations about the future of the club under incoming chairman Jeff Burnige, so what is the point in persistently going on about it?

It offers the senior players a get-out clause for under-performing and does nothing for the confidence of the youngsters.

Furthermore, it confuses the whole issue surrounding who controls Millwall, and unsettles the whole club because nobody has a clue if the management is to leave at any given moment.

The self-imposed silence from current chairman Theo Paphitis and Burnige just adds to the many question marks.

So let's move forward. Let's get Burnige, Wise and Paphitis in the same room, bang their heads together and nail this situation once and for all.

For a start, decide who is actually pulling the financial strings until the end of the season. If it's Paphitis, then make a statement and let the complaints be directed at him. If it's Burnige, then for goodness sake give him the job now.

Then, say for definite if money is to be made available. Wise may think that he can get his own way by protesting about it, but it should be made clear to him in no uncertain terms that a no means a no, regardless of what he thinks could be achieved by complaining in public.

If it's a yes, then let him bring a player of his choice in. Once again, make a concise statement and be done with it.

The same thing should apply to the future of the management. A vote of confidence is often deemed meaningless, but on this occasion we really do need some clarification from the board about Wise and assistant Ray Wilkins' future.

If they are to stay, fair enough. If they are to leave, let it happen now so we can all move on.

Finally, let's stop all of this bickering and whinging in the papers. Conduct your business in private and maintain a sense of dignity.

And tell everyone about it. Tell the media that a line will be drawn under this whole sorry saga, and that Millwall, as a club, will take collective responsibility for what happens on and off the pitch this season.

Let’s bring this bitter verbal onslaught to a close once and for all, because it only serves to harm the club.

Paphitis was abroad on business last weekend. What with this shambles and a crucial FA disciplinary hearing coming up, Millwall are in the grip of their biggest crisis since the May 2 2002 riots outside the Den, and desperately need some strong leadership.

If Paphitis can respond in turn, his last act as chairman of Millwall Football Club may just be enough to salvage a sinking promotion dream.

Now is not the time to listen to the fans, but to follow them, for they are a stark illustration of why Millwall is in such a mess at present.