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Steve ‘The Millwall Manager’ Lomas

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Steve LomasSo ex-club captain and iconic West Ham midfield grafter Steve Lomas is the new manager down at the New Den…I can understand some fans will feel some sort of betrayal from Lomas at going to the old enemy…and to those I would say; every once in a while we must view football from a different point of view.

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One of the many beauties of football is the tribal loyalty, that inherent feeling of ‘us against them’ but if we can step outside of that sphere for a moment when looking at Lomas taking the Millwall job and  we’ll all be able to see it’s a fantastic opportunity for him.

Millwall are (marginally) bigger than St Johnstone and of course the Championship is a much more respectable and creditable league than the joke that is the SPL, so can any of us really begrudge Lomas the opportunity of bettering himself even if it is at Millwall?

It’s a bit off the topic but I think it’s similar to the whole debate about loyalty in football: it amazes me that amidst all the rumours of Demba Ba returning to the club you’ve still got some fans who will forever bleat on about the fact that he left after we went down…I’d say to them what did you expect? Why would he stay with us in the Championship instead of taking the opportunity to stay in the Premier League for the good of his career?  Joe Cole did the exact same thing when we went down in 2003 and he was welcomed back as a heroic, prodigal son.

So those that do have a problem with Lomas taking the Millwall job (and I believe it to be a minority because really…are we that bothered about Millwall when our own future looks incredibly bright?) Should he have remained in the footballing back-water that is the SPL and spurned Millwall’s advances out of loyalty to West Ham? Or should he do what’s best for his career and family and take a job could well propel him onto bigger and better things?

Tribalism is part of the reason that makes football the sport it is, but every now and again certain situations need to be looked at with club loyalties put to one side and in black and white terms. Whilst I certainly don’t wish Lomas luck with his new position, it certainly doesn’t alter my view of him as an icon of West Ham United.

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17 comments

  • Peter Canham says:

    excellent article and well spoken.Tribal loyalties are one thing but opportunities is another thing and I applaud the mans courage and foresight

  • Terry Weldon says:

    Lest we forget, Billy Bonds, one of the (if notTHE) greatest West Ham players ever, also managed Millwall for a while.

  • rob says:

    At the end of the day it puts stevie in the shop window in england so we cant really fault the guy for it..and are we disowning billy bonds for being there manager once?????..lomas is a young manger wanting to go places..if millwall is a stepping stone so be it

  • Jon says:

    Lomas wasn’t exactly our 1st choice either but he’s making the right noises & saying the right things in an effort to appeal to all ‘wall fans. Ultimately, it’s about looking after yourself and your family, and if I found that the only job available to me was operating a turnstile at the Anne Boleyn ground, then so be it. COYL

  • peter says:

    West Hams present manager is an x- Millwall player so whats the big deal

  • Spence55 says:

    No problem with Stevie Lomas taking the job at all. He was a great servant for us, and now he has to make his own way in management. Anyone who talks of betrayal or letting fans down is an idiot !

  • Lion says:

    You have Sam allardyce and had teddy sherringham both ex Millwall. At the end of the day whilst we do have rivalry we all have families so let’s just look forward to new season!!

  • rob says:

    Good point lion

  • Ray _The_Hammer says:

    Nice article but I don’t think it’s Hammers fans that have the problem. It’s the mobile shed dwellers from over the water that object to their new manager.

    • John says:

      That’s a nice metaphor. Is it your own?

      • Ray _The_Hammer says:

        Absolutely!

        • John says:

          It is actually quite polite and thoughtful. I misinformed.

          • Ray_The_Hammer says:

            John, I actually come from ‘this side of the water’ & to my utmost embarrassment, many members of my wife’s family are ‘wall fans. Steve Lomas was a top player for us & I for one wish him all the best.
            Happy shed dragging! 😉

  • John says:

    I have no shed. It would be useful.

  • Damo says:

    I tell ya what,being a Wall fan it’s getting out of hand over here,yeah I can’t say I was over the moon having a vermin manager,but,some people are taking it way to far.I say give him a chance and I bet ifhe does well those idiots screaming “Lomas out” already will be singing his name.Ill reserve judgment for now,but he seems to have his finger on the pulse!

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