FORMER Millwall manager Neil Harris said John Berylson was a “class man” as he paid tribute to the Lions owner.
Berylson appointed Harris as Millwall boss in April 2015 with relegation from the Championship almost inevitable.
Harris rebuilt the squad reaching two successive play-off finals, earning promotion in the second in 2017.
Lions all-time top-scorer Harris left in October 2019 and was replaced by Gary Rowett. The two managers will see each other on Saturday when Millwall travel to Priestfield Stadium for their first pre-season friendly in front of fans.
Berylson passed away after a car accident in Cape Cod last Tuesday.
“He was a class man,” said Harris said on Kent Online. “A person who was a mentor and a chairman who taught me how to try and lead in a humble way, with humility but strength as well.
“He had real core family values that meant so much to all of us, and the way he supported me and my family was unconditional, and he became a friend as well.
“There was shock and sadness because of the suddenness of it. He was a really good man and Millwall has lost a really good chairman too soon, but his legacy at the club, where he has dragged them to where they are now, will live forever.
“Myself personally, I will miss him hugely, miss our chats and advice. He was the person I would go to for real strength of opinion and he never failed me once.”
Harris has American owners at the Gills in Brad and Shannon Galinson.
Harris added: “We had some real good times. That is what drives me on now and I am so pleased to work with a new American owner who has every bit of class and quality that John possessed and I want to have good times here.
“As a manager, it is not just about support financially, it is about support in different ways.
“When I took over at Millwall the club was in a really tough period and they were on the slide, the infrastructure was terrible, but we built it up. My years as manager was hugely successful but it was time for me to move on.”
Image: Millwall FC