Millwall put on ‘brilliant’ tribute to goalkeeper Matija Sarkic

Neil Harris praised both sets of supporters for the way they paid tribute to Matija Sarkic before Millwall’s Championship opener against Watford.

The young goalkeeper died in June and the Lions designated their first home league game as the one to remember the Montenegro international.

There was a montage on the big screen shortly before kick off – showing Sarkic’s saves as well as his team-mates talking about him – before a minute’s applause by both sets of players.

“From a club perspective – brilliant,” said Millwall head coach Harris.

“The fans were outstanding. They came ready to support Mati’s family, the Sarkic family, and also remember Matija as a lad. The Watford fans were exceptional as well. It was a lovely moment.

“It was a privilege to be here and it shows what a privilege it is to do our profession because a 26-year-old lad has lost the opportunity to push on in his career but also his life as well.

“We have to remember why we are here today. Hopefully we did the Sarkic family proud and were respectful with that – and did Matija justice. But then the football side, we didn’t. That’s disappointing because the occasion deserved more. We fell short unfortunately.

“It’s very difficult to put into words. We all would have dealt with adversity in the workplace or with family adversity – everyone knows what the grieving process is. It has been difficult for the football club, of course it has, 12 months on from the opening day of the season when we remember John Berylson, our loved owner.

“I can’t praise the football club or the players highly enough for the way they have approached every moment. Even the first day back in to today’s tribute. Did it affect us? Of course it did. You’d expect it to because we have got such a close group of lads.

“Ultimately when you remember footballers that have passed away you think of their families first and foremost. You don’t think of them as footballers first – you think of them as sons, fathers or brothers. Our thoughts and prayers go with the Sarkic family, as they have done from all of us for months.

“We didn’t quite deliver the outcome we felt was appropriate.

“People handle emotion in different ways. Some players handled it really well and some really struggled. That’s why I don’t want to be too cutting with the group. We certainly didn’t envisage losing our first home game of the season. I didn’t want to lose at The Den at all this season, but we have.

“Why did we concede the goals when last season we only conceded nine goals in 13 games? I’m sure when we look back and study – six games down the line and we’ve kept clean sheets – maybe we will look back and say the emotion was just too much for us.”