The 1999–2000 English Premier League season finale.
Millwall hosted Milton Keynes, a team already confirmed for relegation, at the Den field.
The stadium, with a capacity of less than 20,000, was packed to the brim. The stands were a sea of deep blue, with hardly a fan not wearing The Lions' jersey.
This marked the final game for Millwall's first team at the Den field.
The competitive aspect of the match had long been overshadowed. Millwall had already clinched the title, and their opponents' fate was sealed.
With the entire Hall family in the private box watching the game, and the guests for the FA award ceremony arriving as expected, it was a rare moment for The Den. This modest pitch had the honor of hosting so many prestigious guests.
In the private box, the Puskás couple chatted with Arthur over a glass of wine, the match drawing ever closer. Meanwhile, Yvonne sat with Rosie in the VIP section. Rosie's mother, injured and unable to attend, had asked Aldrich to bring her so she could still share in the day's excitement.
Rosie scanned the Den field with curious eyes. Though not a die-hard football fan, she knew enough to appreciate the sport. Her initial impression of the stadium leaned on the modest side—it lacked the grandeur of those towering arenas with triple-tier stands and high-tech seating.
Yet today, she felt the unique, electrifying passion that football could inspire.
The stadium echoed with unrelenting chants. The song that dominated the atmosphere was Millwall's anthem: "No one likes us, we don't care!"
It seemed fitting to bid farewell to the Den field with this signature song.
What struck Rosie the most, beyond the chants, was the spectacle in the stands. Half an hour before kickoff, a colossal hand-painted banner began its journey across the south stand. At the center was Aldrich, flanked by Millwall's entire first team. The artwork was stunningly lifelike, capturing each player's expression in vivid detail.
This was the fans' way of saying goodbye to the Den field—a heartfelt, grassroots tribute.
When the teams emerged onto the pitch, the announcer called out each Millwall player's name, greeted by roaring cheers from the crowd.
"The final match of the season may not hold much sway over the league table," the commentator began, his voice full of gravitas. "The relegation spots were decided weeks ago, and the positions for champion, runner-up, and third place are set in stone. The only suspense lies in the battle for fourth place—and the last Champions League spot—between Leeds United and Liverpool.
"For Millwall, today is more ceremonial than competitive. They bid farewell to the historic Den field, preparing to move into their new stadium next season. If they win today, they'll finish with a record-breaking 100 points, along with setting unprecedented numbers in goals scored, goals conceded, and goal difference."
The players took their positions. Millwall's lineup featured mostly reserves, with Henry as the sole regular starter. The first team was being rested for the upcoming FA Cup final and Champions League final.
Henry's Premier League Golden Boot was already secured, and his tally virtually guaranteed him the European Golden Shoe. Still, he insisted on starting this match, eager to push his goal count higher.
Aldrich granted his request—with the understanding that Henry would start the FA Cup final on the bench.
Aldrich seemed relaxed, seated on the bench and chatting with Klinsmann, a smile occasionally crossing his face.
Milton Keynes, having already been relegated, offered little resistance. Their players seemed more preoccupied with their futures—relegation would surely prompt a summer shakeup at the club.
Millwall broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Gronkjaer's long-range shot thundered into the net.
No one doubted Millwall's dominance in this final match. Beyond the competitive aspect, the emotional stakes were far higher for the home team. Everyone wanted to end this chapter with a perfect victory.
By halftime, Millwall had scored three goals, effectively sealing the game. Henry added one with a header, and Larmore contributed another.
In the second half, Henry scored twice more, one from the penalty spot, bringing his league tally to an incredible 38 goals.
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read: 5–0.
The Den field had witnessed its last hurrah—a resounding victory to mark the end of an era.
Millwall have achieved a truly dreamlike performance this season. Across 38 league matches, they remained unbeaten, with 31 wins and 7 draws, amassing an astonishing 100 points. The team netted 113 goals, falling just one shy of an average of three goals per game, while conceding a mere 18. This is a team of regal dominance, combining dazzling offense with rock-solid defense. Their record-breaking 48-match unbeaten streak, which may yet continue, has turned them into the most talked-about team in Europe—without a doubt.
Thierry Henry, the Premier League's top scorer, made 36 appearances this season, scoring an incredible 38 goals at a rate exceeding one goal per game. Perfection personified, Henry also leads the Champions League scoring charts. Considering Valencia, their final opponent, lacks any player capable of threatening his crown, it's almost certain that Henry will end the season as both the Premier League and Champions League top scorer.
For Lions fans, saying goodbye to The Den field isn't an end but a fresh beginning, marking the start of an even greater era for Millwall.
Not a single Lions fan left the stadium after the final whistle. They stood shoulder to shoulder in the stands, jumping and cheering. Many captured the moment with digital cameras, while others raised banners anew.
Millwall players, initially off the pitch, flooded back to the field, and cameras captured a warm embrace between Larsson and Henry.
These two forwards—one scoring 38 goals and the other 29—formed a fearsome duo. Though Larsson ultimately ranked third in the scoring charts, behind Phillips' 30 goals, their combined 67 league goals were astounding. Adding Ronaldinho's 16 strikes, Millwall's front three netted 83 goals, an achievement destined to be etched in history.
The legendary SAS partnership of Shearer and Sutton now pales in comparison to the invincible pairing of Henry and Larsson.
With two finals still ahead, Millwall opted against a grand celebration. Instead, they held a small on-pitch ceremony, knowing they must quickly refocus for the upcoming FA Cup and Champions League finals.
Aldrich, Klinsmann, and Jensen entered the field, expressing their gratitude to the fans before casually chatting like seasoned veterans. As they awaited the Premier League trophy presentation, the anticipation built.
When Gareth Southgate finally lifted the Premier League trophy, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers. The stadium reverberated with the sound of the champions' anthem, as confetti rained down over the jubilant scene.
Aldrich, invited to join some players' families for photos, spotted Arthur carrying Bert and Earl onto the pitch. He jogged over, scooped up his two sons, kissed their cheeks, and positioned them on either side of the Premier League trophy. Dressed in custom Millwall jerseys, the toddlers crawled around on the grass after the photos were taken, laughing gleefully.
Their cousin, Bowen, ran over to join them, instinctively stepping into his "big brother" role to ensure the little ones stayed safe on the field.
Moments later, Aldrich embraced Andrew, only to spot Ronaldinho approaching with a mischievous grin, holding an oversized champagne glass—no doubt a remnant of the players' earlier celebrations.
Aldrich shook his head slightly, silently thinking, Here we go again.
It was clear Ronaldinho intended to douse him in champagne. Aldrich turned to flee but managed only two steps before freezing in disbelief.
Ahead of him stood Southgate and Materazzi, each holding their own giant glasses, grinning wickedly and blocking his path.
Pivoting to the left, Aldrich found Larsson, Henry, and several other teammates cutting off his escape.
Like a trapped animal, Aldrich realized there was no way out. Wherever he turned, a blockade awaited.
Finally, he glanced to the right. Sure enough, Gattuso and Pirlo were there, sealing the final exit. Behind him, Ronaldinho and Larmore closed the circle.
Standing helplessly in the center, Aldrich could only laugh as his teammates surrounded him, forming a celebratory ring of mischief and camaraderie.
This scene had the fans in the stands laughing out loud.
As many fans laughed, they whistled and cheered.
"Boss, I love you!" Nedvěd declared to Aldrich with a straight face, and then, without mercy, raised the giant wine glass over Aldrich's head. It was filled to the brim—no, the glass was so big that it held the equivalent of an entire bottle of wine.
Aldrich didn't resist and got drenched, but he didn't expect this to be just the beginning.
"Boss, I love you!"
Splash...
"Boss..."
Splash...
Aldrich could barely hear the sounds around him as the liquid poured into his ears. His whole body was soaked, and his appearance was utterly messy, a sight he'd never imagined!
Amidst the laughter from his teammates, they scattered.
Aldrich wiped his face and was in the process of taking off his suit when, out of nowhere, a fan rushed in and grabbed it from his hands. Even more shocking, someone behind him started to rip off his shirt. Aldrich had to clutch his belt to prevent the frenzied fans from "stripping" him in the middle of the pitch.
When the security guards managed to catch the fans who had rushed onto the field, Aldrich was already bare-chested. Hands on his hips, he stood there, unsure whether to laugh or be angry. His expression was helpless but couldn't hide the amusement.
Although he wasn't a player, he still had a strong physique, and the eight-pack abs that once drove Melanie wild, along with his well-toned upper body, were now exposed to the crowd. Just as Aldrich took a couple of steps, he was surrounded again, and photographers on the sidelines started snapping pictures.
Yvonne and Rosie entered the field during the award ceremony, gazing at Aldrich from a distance. Yvonne wore a soft, affectionate smile, as though looking at Aldrich like this was enough to make her content, while Rosie had a slightly odd look on her face.
"Yvonne, he was just sitting on the coach's bench chatting earlier. Why is he suddenly so popular now?" Rosie wondered.
At least, in Rosie's mind, football was all about the players.
Yvonne gently replied, "You don't understand football, so you don't understand his world."
With the series of records Millwall had set this season, Aldrich didn't need to make any grand gestures on the sidelines—he was simply the best coach in modern European football.
And those star players—could they have achieved the same level of success without Millwall?
Yvonne didn't feel the need to speculate; it didn't matter. Millwall would continue to thrive, because Aldrich was here.
The celebration at The Den field lasted well into the night. It was the final moment of indulgence for the players, a gift from the team before they would get back to work.