“It was the least we could do” – Millwall boss on owner John Berylson’s Den speech to fans

Gary Rowett was delighted to see John Berylson back at The Den – with the Covid-19 pandemic previously preventing  Millwall’s American owner from flying into the UK.

The Boston-based businessman addressed supporters before Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn and he also attended the EFL Cup win over Portsmouth.

Berylson had not jetted in to watch the Lions since February 2020. He uses iFollow, the club’s streaming service, to catch the action when he is back in the States.

“John has put his hand in his pocket significantly over the last 18 months – and over his whole tenure,” said Millwall manager Rowett. “It’s not a wealthy club, is it? I’m sure John has to fill some of the gaps with his own finances.

“I’ve had many conversations over the last year and some of his frustration has been ‘I can’t even get in to see my own team’. It’s not been about the money or other various things – it’s been that he hasn’t been able to come over and enjoy watching the team he has helped build.

“It was great for him to be able to go and talk to the lads at the training ground and address the fans. The players were joking, at one stage, that was what delayed the kick off, because John was enjoying his time out there with the fans!

“I didn’t get to hear him because I was inside preparing the team and talking to the players.

“It felt like a good four or five days of him reconnecting and enthusing about being able to watch the team once more.

“It felt it was the least we could do, to get him over and watch a couple of games.”