The History of The Old Den
The Old Den
CLUB: Millwall FC
FOOTBALL SINCE: 1910
MILLWALL LEFT: 1993
CAPACITY AT CLOSURE: Around 22,000
RECORD CROWD: 48,672
FAMOUS FOR: The Cold Blow Lane End
The Old Den was the infamous former home of Millwall Football Club, standing from 1910 to 1993 as one of the most intimidating, atmospheric and fiercely defended football grounds in Britain. Wedged into the tight streets of New Cross, South London, The Den became legendary for its noise, its hostility, and its uncompromising terrace culture. It wasn't just a stadium — it was a fortress.
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This page traces the story of The Old Den: its capacity, its stands, its record crowd, its redevelopment, and the legacy it left behind.
When Was It Built?
The Old Den opened on 22 October 1910, replacing Millwall's previous ground at North Greenwich on the Isle of Dogs. The club moved south of the river amid industrial expansion around their old site, settling in New Cross on a tight, enclosed plot that shaped the stadium's character.
The opening didn't go entirely to plan — visiting Brighton & Hove Albion spoiled the celebrations by winning 1–0. From that first day, The Old Den became one of the most intimidating grounds in the country.
Capacity
The Old Den's capacity changed across its lifetime:
● Early years – Around 20,000
● Peak terrace era – Close to 48,000
● Final years – Around 22,000, following safety-driven reductions
Despite its modest final size, The Den was notorious for atmosphere — loud, claustrophobic, and utterly unique.
Who Played There?
The Old Den was home to Millwall FC from 1910 to 1993, hosting wartime fixtures, representative matches and countless FA Cup ties and promotion battles. For 83 years, it was the beating heart of Millwall football.
The Terraces
The Old Den followed the traditional English four-sided design:
● The Cold Blow Lane End – the ground's most famous terrace and the heart of Millwall's home support.
● The Ilderton Road End – the opposite end, mainly used to house travelling away fans.
● The Main Stand (west side) – the only seated, fully covered section of the ground, rebuilt in 1948 after wartime bomb damage.
● The open terrace (east side) – uncovered standing running the length of the pitch opposite the Main Stand.
Hemmed in on all sides by railway lines, this compact layout created a cauldron of noise and intensity unmatched anywhere else in London.
Major Redevelopment
● 1910 – Stadium opens
● 1920s–30s – Terraces expanded; roofs added
● 1943 – Bomb damage during the Blitz hits the terracing; a fire shortly after destroys the Main Stand
● 1948 – Main Stand rebuilt
● 1950s–70s – Incremental improvements to stands and facilities
● 1980s – Safety regulations reduce capacity; partial seating added
● 8 May 1993 – Final match played: Millwall beat Brentford 1–0
● 1993 – Ground demolished
● 4 August 1993 – The New Den (now simply The Den) opens a quarter of a mile away
Despite modernisation, The Old Den always retained its raw, intimidating charm.
Record Attendance
The Old Den's record attendance is 48,672, set on 20 February 1937 for an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Derby County, which Millwall won 2–1. Huge crowds were also common during Millwall's strong post-war sides and promotion campaigns.
Away End
Away supporters were housed in the Ilderton Road End, opposite the Cold Blow Lane End, though exact allocations varied by competition and expected crowd size. The end was tight, loud, and close to the pitch — visiting fans often described The Old Den as one of the most hostile away days in the country.
Stadium Location & History
The Old Den stood off Cold Blow Lane in New Cross, hemmed in by railway lines, factories, warehouses and terraced housing. The narrow pitch, the enclosed stands and the long walk to the ground all became part of the folklore. Even today, the area retains echoes of the old stadium — the site is now housing, with the New Den built just a short distance away.
The Old Den's Legacy
The stadium is gone, replaced by housing — but its legacy remains. Millwall supporters still visit the area, the club's identity is deeply tied to the old ground, and The Old Den lives on through stories, photos, chants and terrace culture.
For Millwall fans, The Old Den wasn't just a stadium — it was identity, defiance, and home.
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