Commiserations to Millwall and thanks from the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign
We’re gutted you didn’t make it to the final but you did brilliantly to get to the semis. Thanks for wearing our T-shirts and for all your support.
Save Lewisham Hosptial campaigners in the crowd were so excited we didn’t get many photos – but here are some taken by Sheila Amrouche.
Click here to see updated slideshow
Saturday 13 April Guardian Millwall tire of negative tags
PRESS STATEMENT FROM MILLWALL
MILLWALL LIONS TAKE THEIR SAVE LEWISHAM HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN TO WEMBLEY
Saturday 13th will see a significant date in the diaries of Millwall FC fans everywhere.
This is the date The Lions will take to the Wembley pitch to play Premier League opponents Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup Semi Final.
After a packed and elongated winter season, when snow fell on the pitch during the first Quarter Final, the weather has finally turned to spring as Kenny Jackett’s men step out onto what they hope will be a perfect turf for this vital match.
This marks the first meeting between the two sides since 2005 and is only their second ever FA Cup clash.
TwoLondon teams vie with two teams from the north west in the Semis this year, but whichever region triumphs and whichever club wins, the Millwall team are determined to stay true to their local roots and their community commitments. Fully in tune with the club’s long term relationship with their local hospital of choice, Lewisham, currently under threat of 60% downsize in 2015 and possible eventual closure, the players will once again sport ‘Save Lewisham Hospital’ t shirts as they warm up on the hallowed Wembley turf.
Keeping the hope for the hospital’s future alive, the players will leave the Wembley crowd in no doubt as to the significant place Lewisham Hospital holds in their club’s history and of their gratitude for the specialist care which its’ medical teams have provided for their players and also to club staff, supporters and their families.
Chief Exec Andy Ambler said: “Lewisham Hospital is at the heart of our community and for us at the club too. We are right behind the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign and remain fully committed in our support.”
Meanwhile up in the excited Wembley crowd, a row of fans will be echoing the Save Lewisham Hospita lmessage with the help of another set of customised shirts, spelling out the same message and holding aloft a flag as they cheer The Lions on towards a longed-for FA Cup victory.
Lewisham Hospita lpatient and campaign member, Carol Brown said :
‘My life was saved last year by the dedicated staff of Lewisham Hospital A&E and ICU. As far as we are concerned, in the way they are supporting our hospital, Millwall are the team with the heart of a lion. They deserve to go all the way to the Final.’
