John Berylson RIP

[GaryF]

Hi Everyone
I just wanted to post how sad and sorry I am on hearing the news that our club chairman/owner John Berylson passed away on Tuesday, after an unfortunate car accident.

I am sure many Millwall fans would like to join me and offer their condolences to John Berylson's family and friends during this difficult time.

Millwall fans know we have a lot to thank John Berylson for.

His steadfast support of this club since he became chairman in 2007 has been exemplary.

John helped to provide 17 years of stability at The Den, making sure we were financially mananged correctly for our size, and did not overstretch ourselves. He also put in his own money to the club when needed.

It was down to him, and his team, that we managed to survive the Covid crisis in a lot better condition than many other clubs.

Our minimal transfer budget has also helped to secure the club's financial future, by not splashing out on big fees that we couldn't afford.

Which, along with the club's wages ceiling policy, has meant no one player stands out from all the others, which has helped to create a great team spirit here at Millwall.

Players come here, not because they gonna get big pay, but because they want to come and play for us, and be a part of that together, fighting team spirit.

Another success under John Berylson's stewardship has been the successful development of our Youth team policy.

Which, especially over recent seasons, has produced an above average number of youth players coming through the system and making it into the 1st team (or securing decent transfers onwards).

These are just a few of the things that have happened under John Berylson's Chairmanship.

All of which have allowed our small Club, and its small budget, to punch well above our weight in the football world:

We have been fighting for a Championship Play-Off spot for the last four seasons in a row (twice missing out by just 2pts).

We've also had some great FA Cup runs in recent seasons, making the Quarter-Finals twice and defeating good Premier League opposition in the process.

Along with the Play-Off successes from League One, I believe we owe a lot of these successes due to John Berylson's stable leadership across the years.

He will be sorely missed.

He may have been an American, but Millwall fans saw him as a 'Docker', who had the best interests of the club at heart.

Farewell John Berylson.... and Thank You...!

GaryF
(season ticket holder at The Den).