Millwall fans sing name of late owner John Berylson with wreath laid on pitch before Gillingham friendly

Millwall paid tribute to late owner John Berylson before today’s friendly at Gillingham.

The Lions travelling support sang the name of their former chairman, who passed away in a traffic accident earlier this month, before the game in Kent as well as during the match and afterwards.

Berylson’s son James was appointed the Championship club’s new chairman on Friday.

Millwall manager Gary Rowett and Neil Harris, who also bossed the Lions as well as being their all-time top goalscorer, carried out a wreath before the match. Lions captain Jake Cooper then picked it up and placed it in front of the stand housing their supporters.

“The fans, the way they paid tribute was absolutely outstanding,” said Rowett.

“There are a lot of Millwall fans around these areas, anyway. Neil, as the manager, is a Millwall legend – both as a player and as a manager in his time here. It was a fitting tribute to walk the wreath out together. Coops then put it in front of our 2,000 fans that brilliantly came to watch the team and also pay their tributes. Nice touch and I’m sure it won’t be the last time we see something like that in the games ahead.

“There is always going to be a little interim period where it is difficult to push forward too quickly, out of respect. The family want to continue that legacy that John built so brilliantly, so diligently and with so much passion.

“Everyone wants to move forward in tribute to John, in his memory and as a tribute, but also because the football club has moved forward so much in his time here. We’ll see what that looks like in the next week or two.”