Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterIn 2004, second-tier Millwall reached the FA Cup final for the first time in the clubs history.And while player-manager Dennis Wise was unable to orchestrate a cup final upset when they went up against Sir Alex Fergusons Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the clubs consolation prize was a spot in the following seasons UEFA Cup.Millwall would be drawn against Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the first round and what should have been a memorable occasion turned into something far more darker for travelling fans and club officials.Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 ListTheo Paphitis on Millwalls European nightmare The two clubs played out a 1-1 draw at The Den, with Wise netting for the hosts, leaving Millwall just one result away from the lucrative group stage, where the likes of Sporting, Lazio and Sevilla awaited.Millwall have scored two goals in Europe and guess who scored them both? Dennis Wise, former Lions chairman Theo Paphitis recalls to FourFourTwo. We drew 1-1 at our ground in the first leg, then went out there. You may like Theo Paphitis discusses breaking protocol before Millwall's 2004 FA Cup Final against Manchester United Scottish football club sporting director has had arguably the maddest career in history Youri Djorkaeff reflects on Bolton's 2004 League Cup final defeat The return leg would prove to be a completely different experience, however.They were in an old stadium its not often Im scared, but I was scared for my kids, Paphitis admits. We were sitting with officials near to what I can only describe as right-wing fans, proper neo-Nazi types.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.They were making cut-throat gestures. It was vile spitting, you name it. I had to ask the UEFA representative for some security. It was quite frightening.We sadly lost the game, but that wasnt the tragedy. The tragedy was for our fans, whod behaved impeccably at the FA Cup final, and also at our place in the first leg of the Ferencvaros game.Unfortunately a group of our fans going around the stadium before the game, and some after the game too, were set upon by these masked paramilitary supporters. I didnt realise how serious it was.Following the match, as Paphitis and his family attempted to return home, the true scale of the situation became apparent.After the game we got to the airport, but we had to delay the flight. A couple of fans had been stabbed, one was on life support. We had to go with the British consul in Budapest to try to identify who they were. That meant going through a bag of blood-stained clothes and a mobile phone to find mum or home.It was horrendous. So, so sad. One of them was poorly for a long time afterwards. We got everybody home eventually and flew them back, but that was a sad occasion. It was my last season, my swansong. I handed over the reins at the end of that campaign.TOPICSDennis WiseUEFA Europa LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromAndew Dillon
