THE METROPOLITAN POLICE have issued a statement ahead of the first Millwall vs West Ham clash in 14 years as officers prepare for a major operation around Saturday’s East London derby.

The two sides will meet at The Den at 12.30pm on Saturday, renewing one of English ‘s fiercest rivalries.

Carabao Cup R3: Millwall vs. Newcastle - 08 Sep 2026The Den is preparing to host one of the fiercest matches in English football on Saturday lunchtime Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Millwall v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Third RoundThere will be no love lost between the sides on this pitch come Saturday afternoon Credit: Getty

The Met confirmed that additional measures will be in place to help ensure the match passes off safely.

In a statement posted on X , the force said: “On Saturday, 19 September at 12:30hrs, @MillwallFC face @WestHam at the Den – the first time the two clubs have met since 2012. We want fans to enjoy the match safely and have worked with both clubs to help this happen.

“As with any fixture, the Sporting Events Act 1985 is in place, which means entering or attempting to enter a ground while intoxicated is strictly prohibited. A Section 35 dispersal order will also be in place, allowing officers to remove anyone causing disorder. It will cover this area.”

The fixture will see the clubs renew a rivalry that dates back more than a century.

and first met in a friendly in 1897, with the rivalry developing due to the close proximity between the two clubs.

Their former home grounds, The Den and West Ham’s Boleyn Ground, were just under seven miles apart.

The rivalry has also been accompanied by a number of incidents of violence involving some supporters over the years.

There was a particularly bad one in August 2009 during a second-round tie at Upton Park.

West Ham player Carlton Cole reacts to fans who have invaded the pitch.Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole reacts in shock to the pitch invasion during West Ham vs Millwall in 2009 Credit: Reuters Violence Erupts Between West Ham And Millwall Fans At Upton ParkRiot police were deployed in August 2009 as the situation boiled over Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The match was won 3-1 by the Hammers after extra-time, but the game was overshadowed by pitch invasions and disorder around the stadium.

A Millwall supporter was stabbed during the disturbances, which continued in the streets surrounding the ground.

This historic clash hasn’t occurred too often down the years and decades gone by as the two clubs have mostly been in separate divisions.

But West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League in May has brought the two clubs back together in the .

Saturday’s meeting will be their first since 2012 and the latest chapter in a rivalry that has often attracted significant attention.

This weekend’s derby arrives with both clubs having plenty to play for on the pitch.

Millwall v Hull City, EFL Sky Bet Championship, Play-Off Semi Final, Second Leg, Football, The Den, London, UK - 11 May 2026Millwall reached the play-offs last season, but their journey ended with a 2-0 aggregate defeat against Hull Credit: Shutterstock Editorial West Ham United v Wrexham, EFL Sky Bet Championship, Football, London Stadium, London, UK - 11 Sep 2026West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen will be hoping to continue his fine early season form against Millwall on Saturday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

West Ham currently sit top of the Championship with 14 points from a possible 21 – ahead of Swansea, Middlesbrough and West Brom on goal difference.

Millwall are 11th on ten points but will be looking to build on a strong campaign last season.

The Lions narrowly missed out on automatic promotion by a single point to Ipswich before their play-off campaign ended against Hull.

Hull won their semi-final 2-0 on aggregate, leaving Millwall to begin another Championship campaign with promotion once again the target.