Joy, Passion and Woe: The best images of Millwall's season so far

IT was only 105 days ago when Millwall kicked their season off at Middlesborough and there’s no shortage of drama in that time.

Great goals, late defeats, managerial departures and everything else have been mixed into a topsy-turvy opening third of the season.

Capturing the moments in all their glory has been Millwall’s diligent club photographer Brian Tonks.

These are the best pictures of the season so far.

The Triumph on Teesside

The Lions were heading for a credible goalless draw on the opening day of the season at Middlesborough before Gary Rowett turned to his bench.

The two men he recruited in the 73rd minute were the youngsters who had lit up pre-season, Romain Esse and Aidomo Emakhu.

Within minutes the two would combine to grab what turned out to be the winning goal to launch Millwall’s season. Plenty of pictures captured the pure joy of two teenagers who had worked their whole lives for moments like this.

Aidomo Emakhu celebrates after assisting Romain Esse's goal. Image: Millwall FC — Aidomo Emakhu celebrates after assisting Romain Esse’s goal. Image: Millwall FC

Romain Esse pays tribute to the man who set up his winning goal. Image: Millwall FC

The two teenagers can't hide their jubilation as they prepare for their post-match interview. Image: Millwall FC — The two teenagers can’t hide their jubilation as they prepare for their post-match interview. Image: Millwall FC

In a wonderful shot, Gary Rowett stands in between the two men who made all the difference at the Riverside. Image: Millwall FC — In a wonderful shot, Gary Rowett is snapped standing between the two men who made all the difference at the Riverside. Image: Millwall FC

Tributes to the chairman

The opening home match of the season gave everyone connected to Millwall a chance to pay one final tribute to beloved chairman John Berylson, who died in a car accident in July at the age of 70.

Bristol City would eventually grab the winner in stoppage time after a frankly woeful 90 minutes of football.

The fighting spirit of Ryan Leonard should be the template for Millwall in order to avoid anymore Ipswich-style displays

‘He’s got both sides of the game’ – Millwall boss evaluates Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s potential after Arsenal loanee’s man of the match showing against Sunderland

Man of the Match: Millwall 1-1 Sunderland

‘It definitely won’t be big changes’ – Joe Edwards gives insight into Millwall’s January transfer market plans

Joe Edwards mulls over Sunderland draw as he gives his reaction to penalty incident, Jack Clarke’s day and Cooper and Saville’s crucial bookings

But the most important part of the afternoon were the wonderful tributes paid to John before kick-off.

The Berylson family and CEO Steve Kavanagh are pictured before tributes are paid to John. Image: Millwall FC

A bandaged Murray Wallace - injured in the Reading cup match - looks on as players applaud John Berylson. Image: Millwall FC — A bandaged Murray Wallace – injured in the Reading cup match – looks on as players applaud John Berylson. Image: Millwall FC

Matty James' spectacular winner lit up an otherwise uninspiring game at The Den. Image: Millwall FC — Matty James’ spectacular winner lit up an otherwise uninspiring game at The Den. Image: Millwall FC

Clash at Carrow Road

Billy Mitchell clashes with Jonathan Rowe in a heated moment on a warm, August Sunday afternoon at Carrow Road when Millwall visited Norwich City.

The game would be best remembered for the frustration of the travelling Lions fans who made their feelings towards Gary Rowett and his style of football as public as possible.

A scuffle breaks out during Millwall's loss against Norwich in August. Image: Millwall FC — A scuffle breaks out during Millwall’s loss against Norwich in August. Image: Millwall FC

Relief at The Den

Following on from that Norwich defeat, Millwall were in desperate need for a win against Stoke City to lift the mood.

Kevin Nisbet grabbed the first-half goal that would eventually get three points and the feeling of relief was palpable.

Kevin Nisbet leads the celebrations after his goal against Stoke. Image: Millwall FC

After dominating the first half, Millwall finally found a way through. Image: Millwall FC

Bradshaw in the Rain

Millwall totally dominated Rotherham United in September in what is, at the time of writing, their last win at The Den.

Following well-taken goals by Ryan Longman and Zian Flemming on a wet Wednesday night, Tom Bradshaw grabbed the third in stoppage time for his first goal of the season and looked to be a happy man in the London rain.

Tom Bradshaw grabbed his first goal of the season against Rotherham. Image: Millwall FC

Frustrated Fans

A hard-fought 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion followed that Rotherham win, suggesting Millwall were turning a corner.

But the Lions were outclassed by slow-starters Swansea City in their next game as their home struggles continued. One fan perfectly summed up the feeling of disillusionment that were beginning to spread across the fan base after the 3-0 loss.

Goals from Jamal Lowe, Matt Grimes and Mykola Kukharevych gave Swansea a win that left home fans furious. Image: Millwall FC

Fingers were pointed as Millwall slumped to another loss. Image: Millwall FC

Saville seals it at Plymouth

Flemming’s second half opener gave Millwall the lead at Plymouth Argyle and, as the game wore on, Steven Schumacher’s side were putting more and more pressure on the Lions’ defence.

But George Saville came off the bench to score in the 98th minute to wrap up a 0-2 win. Brooke Norton Cuffy quickly joined him in celebration.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy leapt into the arms of George Saville at Home Park. Image: Millwall FC

Exhaustion at the Final Whistle

Millwall and Hull exchanged blows at The Den in a frantic 2-2 draw that proved to be Rowett’s last in charge of the Lions.

Both sets of players gave it there all and simultaneously dropped to the floor at the full-time whistle.

Millwall and Hull played out a 2-2 draw that left both sides exhausted. Image: Millwall FC

Joe Bryan launched himself into the air after scoring a brilliant equaliser against Hull. Image: Millwall FC — Joe Bryan launches himself into the air after scoring a brilliant equaliser against Hull. Image: Millwall FC

Happy Harding

Wes Harding scored for the second game in a row when he netted after 86 minutes at Watford in October, handing Millwall a 2-1 lead.

The defender joyfully burst into a funny-looking celebration in front of away fans.

Wes Harding wheeled away in celebration after scoring late at Watford. Image: Millwall FC

It was a great header by Wes Harding to give Millwall the lead at Watford. Image: Millwall FC — It was a great header by Wes Harding to give Millwall the lead at Watford last month. Image: Millwall FC

Hope at Hillsborough

In Joe Edwards’ first game as Millwall manager, Millwall swept away Sheffield Wednesday by four goals to nil to grab their first win in five.

Harding scored again – and this time shared a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired ‘siu’ celebration with Casper De Norre – before Edwards punched the air in front of adoring travelling fans after full-time