The historic Italian institution in London took centre stage as Match Sponsor of the South Bermondsey "Lions" on the occasion of the midweek Championship fixture between Millwall and Birmingham City on 25 February.
It was a decision made to give significant visibility to the Chamber of Commerce, based in the heart of Mayfair and a point of reference for the promotion and development of business relations between Italy and the United Kingdom since 1886.
This year both Millwall Football Club and the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom celebrate the one hundred and fortieth anniversary of their foundation, and this unforgettable London evening was the ideal opportunity to seal this historic agreement, which allows the long-established Italian institution in the UK to promote its activities within a particularly prestigious setting such as the English Championship.
A large delegation from the Chamber of Commerce followed the match from the Directors' Box of The Den stadium, which was attended by the President, Cav. Roberto Costa, the Director, Dr Giusy Masiello, the Secretary General, Dr Walter Gumina, and the Deputy Secretary General, Dr Carolina Sanfratello. Two special guests were also present at the stadium: Minister Umberto Bernardo (Head of the Economic Office and First Counsellor of the Italian Embassy in London) and Prof. Gianluca Sardi (Partner of Millwall Football Club).
A special event took place before the match, in the Lounge of the Barry Kitchener Stand, in which four former Millwall FC and Millwall Lionesses players joined the Forever Lions Club. This is an official club initiative to formally recognise those who have honoured the club's history both on and off the pitch. That evening the honour was bestowed on Tony Craig (former Millwall captain, with whom he twice won the play-offs from League One to the Championship), Alan Dunne (a Lions stalwart at full-back, with whom he reached the FA Cup final and secured two promotions to the Championship), Teddy Sheringham (a protagonist at the 1996 European Championship with England; top scorer during Millwall's only campaign in the English top flight, and scorer of Manchester United's late equaliser in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich) and Pauline Cooper (a former Millwall Lionesses player of note).
The former players were introduced by Jimmy Carter (a legendary former Arsenal, Liverpool and Millwall player), who hosted the evening event with great flair.
The match was intense and thrilling, with Millwall beating Birmingham City 3-0 after a commanding performance from the outset. It was a victory that allows the "Lions" to keep alive their dream of promotion to the Premier League.
After the final whistle it was time to announce the Man of the Match, an award presented in person by President Roberto Costa to Tristan Crama, the standout performer of the match with a goal and two assists.
Alberto Zingales