One of the best things Millwall have done this season is to sign a deal with Sky's Dream Team programme for them to film at the Den. Worth an estimated £150K which, apparently, is where Paul Moody came from, no-one could argue that this was a bad deal. Dream Team follows the fictional team Harchester United through their fortunes on and off the pitch. One of the novel things about the programme is that they use actual footage from real Premiership games, using computer technology to change the shirt colours into the rather lurid purple that Harchester play in. One thing they couldn't do with computers, however, was generate a quality-looking stadium that didn't blatantly belong to one of the well known Premiership sides. The Den fit the bill, and a suitcase of cash later and Sky's cameras were in there furiously filming away. We got in touch with Rod Brown, producer of football for Dream Team, to get his thoughts on the Den, Dream Team, and Millwall.
What was the main reason you chose Millwall? It's a good facility, well, it's a Premiership ground isn't it? It's a shame Millwall are stuck in the Second Division, the facility deserves better. I've visited the Den myself before, and have friends who are Millwall fans. The club really has a genuine heart and tradition. We needed a Premiership ground, and you had what we needed, and we had what you needed.
Did you consider any other clubs? Well last year we filmed at a number of other clubs. We filmed at Vicarage Road, Luton, the Valley and Upton Park. Once Millwall said yes, though, there really was no contest. As I said, it's a top class facility and you've got a really good management structure there. The new regime there seems really forward thinking. We've been filming there for a few days now and it's been great to work together.
Was Millwall's reputation ever considered when you were making your decision? No, it never entered into it. It's a media reputation, isn't it? I know Millwall fans and I think that you've got one of the most friendly football clubs in Britain. We filmed before your game against Wimbledon recently and the fans made us very welcome.
So I take it the recent change in the Millwall club badge wasn't the convincing factor then? Eh?
Is this just going to be a short-term thing, or are you looking for something more long term? Well obviously it depends on a lot of things. We do work in television after all, and obviously the show has to be renewed next year. Now that we've established a relationship, though, and given that it's going so well at the moment, we hope be to at Millwall for a long time. Certainly we were lucky for Watford, we were at Vicarage Road for two years, started there with them in the Second Division and left with them in the Premiership!
Are we likely to see Millwall appearing in Dream Team? Yes, I think it's fairly likely that the Third Round cup draw might see Harchester drawn against Millwall!
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