When we scored, it was the easiest thing in the world not to celebrate, because it was about surviving. The sound of the ball hitting the net will live with me, because you could hear it hit the nylon, it was that quiet.” It was nowhere near as scary as it used to be and I warmed up with a smile on my face even though one thug in particular was, forgive the pun, trying to get my goat, but failing, of course. City have moved onwards and upwards, and Keegan was in no doubt that the victory at Millwall was crucial.

Every game was a bit of them against us for City at that time – the Blues were a scalp. And they had the former England manager and European Footballer of the Year in charge, so no matter where they were, everyone wanted to take them down.” Read More Related Articles Says Bernstein: “Kevin was sent off and came and sat next to me, in the directors’ box. We were taking a lot of abuse from the Millwall fans, things were thrown, and signs were made. Not very nice! After Palace, City went on a remarkable run, winning 19 of the remaining 24 games, winning the league by ten points and scoring 108 goals, with the brilliant Goater netting 32 of them.

We came in on the team coach with very heavy police protection. The hostility and aggression was at a much higher level than usual,” he said. I’ve been watching football for ages and seen some bad stuff – following England abroad was bad enough – but this was a whole different world.” Keegan made changes when he came to the club. There was investment, and the training ground was updated. We had the feeling that with him in charge, anything was possible – he did the same thing at Newcastle. The City fans who quietly made their way out of the game managed to contain their joy – for a while.

I didn't cry... I only told the truth": The strange and confused day Manchester City signed 'the new Pele' It was not going well. The Blues had lost six of their first 20 games and were seven points behind leaders Burnley – and defeat at The Den would have seen Millwall leapfrog them into fourth place, and City plummet to ninth. But he was undaunted and, together with wife Jane and two pals, they set about finding a way to see the game they weren't allowed to attend. The supporters had left the game early and carefully removed the windscreen wipers from the away fans’ coaches and, as it was raining, it meant the transport was unusable.The Rileys made their way out of the stand to get some refreshment, and spotted a fellow Blue, one of an estimated 30 to 40 who got in that night, by hook or by crook.

The journalist and his daughter were so upset by the constant racial abuse being dished out to the City players that he asked a steward if they could leave their seats and go to the family stand. So when City’s team coach – guarded by a strong police presence - made its way through the tight south London streets to the Den, they knew they would not have the comfort of their loud away support. The first time we scored, there were people turning round and staring at me – some of them with F Troop masks on, trying to intimidate me.”Shaun Wright-Phillips of Manchester City beats Ryan Green of Millwall to score the winning goal (Image: ALLSPORT)