The infamous Upton Park riots of 2009 witnessed more than just football rivalry – as it coincidentally became the setting for a disastrously memorable first date.
West Ham‘s clash with Millwall in the Carling Cup‘s second round tie was always going to be heated due to the entrenched history between the clubs, prompting an extensive police turnout around and within the stadium.
However, chaos ensued when Junior Stanislas’ late goal cancelled out Millwall’s lead from Neil Harris, leading to a pitch invasion and a pause in the match despite West Ham players’ attempts to calm their fans. The interference delayed the game before they resumed into extra time.
Ultimately, the Premier League team emerged triumphant, with Stanislas netting another and Zavon Hines sealing the win, though the riots outside tainted the victory; 80 arrests were made related to violence and an assault involving a stabbed Millwall fan occurred prior to kick-off.
Amidst the bedlam, West Ham fan Rick Galer experienced a double dose of misfortune, having brought his future girlfriend to what would become an infamous first date. “That match was my first date with my girlfriend,” recalled Galer, then 19, to The Athletic.
“I told her parents it wouldn’t be that bad. But we got to Upton Park station and straight away I knew it was a mistake. There were loads of police and all sorts were being chucked from The Queens pub. I took all the back roads around Priory Road to avoid the trouble.
(Image: PA)
“Her mum watched the game and heard Phil Thompson (the former Liverpool midfielder and pundit for Sky Sports) say, ‘If my kids were at this game, I’d feel terrified.’ So she started to worry even more. Her father is a cabbie and he said he’d pick us up near Forest Gate station (a 38-minute walk from Upton Park stadium).”
Galer’s girlfriend dad was not amused by the situation and opted for silence in their journey home. He recounted (via the Mirror): “When we saw him, I said, ‘I’m really sorry, I didn’t know it was going to be that bad.’ He just gave me this look and didn’t say a word during the journey back. I wasn’t on his Christmas card list that year!”
The Football Association took action against both clubs due to the disorder caused by their supporters, resulting in West Ham receiving a £115,000 fine, while Millwall were absolved of all charges.
Following the chaotic incidents, former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp, who had been at the helm from 1994 to 2001, suggested to the football authorities that the two teams should never be pitted against each other in cup ties again.
In a stern response to the violent clashes, West Ham imposed life bans from Upton Park on at least 54 individuals, including 11 season ticket holders. Over 15 years since the infamous disorder, the rivals have steered clear of each other in cup fixtures, although they met twice during the 2011/12 Championship season after West Ham’s relegation.
