MILLWALL manager John Docherty soon got back into the swing of things after returning from holiday yesterday when he completed the signing of central defender Steve Wood from Reading.
Wood, a 24-year-old six-footer, has just completed his seventh season with the Berkshire club and his fee will have to he decided by a transfer tribunal.
He is the second new capture by Docherty since the end of the season. Two weeks ago, the Millwall manager signed Kevin O'Callaghan from Portsmouth for £85,000.
And this latest move by Docherty is unlikely to he the last signing at The Den before the new season opens in August.
Wood will add strength and experience to the centre of Millwall's defence in the coming campaign, as Docherty aims for promotion.
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| DOCHERTY'S DOCKSIDE REVOLUTION |
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JOHN DOCHERTY'S dockside revolution gathered momentum today as he attempted to persuade Portsmouth's 28-goal striker Micky Quinn to join Millwall for £320,000.
If Quinn signs, it will be a record for the club who are determined to destroy their Cinderella image and reach he First Division for the first time in their history.
The deal would take Millwall's recent spending to more than £½ million-having ready signed Kevin O'Callaghan from Portsmouth for £85,000 and Steve Woods from Reading for it fee to be decided by tribunal.
Frustrated
And that for a club whose gates averaged about 4,000 last season-half their break-even figure.
"Obviously on gates like that we are running at a loss," says Docherty. "We are not in debt but we hope the fans respond to the moves we are making."
The club are reaping the benefits of some strict economy measures last season- and also the cash backing of chairman Reg Burr and his three co-directors plus a £70,000-a-year sponsorship from Lewisham Council.
"I have to speak to Micky over the next couple of days, but I'm hopeful," said Docherty, a shrewd Scot who kept Millwall up in the Second Division last season despite losing four senior players before a ball was kicked.
John Fashanu, Robert Wilson and Steve Lowndes all left, while Steve Lovell was injured. Docherty was frustrated by exorbitant prices on players he wanted to replace that quartet and had to survive on a batch of youngsters plus, later in the season, the £95,000 arrival of Terry Hurlock from Reading.
The professional staff was cut to a bare 16 and included talent, but raw players like Brian Horne, Alan McLeary, Teddy Sheringham and Nicky Coleman.
"We got by and those youngsters are now a year better off in experience," said Docherty. "We want to show the fans that we mean business, that it is our aim and our ambition to get into the First Division," said Docherty today.
But a response from the supporters is also needed if Millwall are to hang on to the youngsters who have caught the attention of many top clubs.
"Our low gates can't be allowed to continue and we hope the fans respond," he added.
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| O'Callaghan repeats push for Division One |
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by PAUL VAUGHAN
LAST WEEKEND, Kevin O'Callaghan flew out to Lanzarote for a fortnight's rest after a long, hard season. The talented winger had played a major role in Portsmouth's promotion back to Division One.
But instead of enjoying the fruits of those labours and playing in the top flight with Ball's men next season, the 25-year-old has decided to try and do the whole thing over again.
His decision to join his former club Millwall in an £85,000 deal shows that he has faith in the docklands club and that he believes he can win promotion for a second successive season.
"I didn't turn down the chance of playing in the First Division lightly," he said. "I did it because I believe Millwall can win promotion and, following my experience last season, I expect that I can play a major part in making sure they do make it. I wouldn't have come back if I wasn't optimistic about the club's chances.
"I now know what it takes to get out of the Second Division and, although it is obviously a bit different for each team, I've got the experience that makes me well prepared."
The chance to move back to the Den after eight years away came as a shock to the Irish international.
Surprise
He said, "I wasn't expecting to move so it was obviously a surprise. Millwall came in with a good offer and John Docherty impressed me when I met him so I decided to sign."
And when pre-season training begins next month, he will link up again with old friends like Dave Mehmet, Paul Sansome and Alan McLeary. They were all at the Den when O'Callaghan first displayed his tricky brand of wing play.
He helped the Lions to a youth cup success in 1979 but he only played 20 League games before leaving in January 1980, snapped up by Ipswich for £250,000 which is still a record sale for Millwall.
"I've got happy memories of the Den," he told me. "The crowd are a bit special. They supported me brilliantly in the youth team and when I got into the League side. I'm really looking forward to playing in front of them again."
His last encounter with Millwall came in May when they visited Portsmouth. He scored a last Minute goal with a brilliant free kick to secure a 2-0 win.
"I didn't think Millwall played too well at Fratton Park but when we played them at the Den, they were brilliant. It was a 1-1 draw but they were well on top I was out injured but the other lads were really impressed."
"It seems that the boss is building up a good, enthusiastic side and I'm pleased to be a part of it. After my holiday, I'll be raring to go again and hopefully we'll bring some glory to the Den."
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JOHN Docherty's idea of a strong squad took further shape on Tuesday when he signed 24-year-old central defender Steve Wood from Reading, writes Peter Cordwell.
But if could cost him. Millwall value the six-foot defender at £45,000, while Reading reckon he's worth £300,000.
"It's a bit of a discrepancy," joked Docherty, "but we'll have to stick by the tribunal's valuation because it's not a conditional transfer."
Wood is the second side of the triangle Docherty has been trying to complete in recent weeks, following the capture of Kevin O'Callaghan from Portsmouth for £85,000.
"I was after a defender, left-sided midfielder and a striker," said the Millwall boss. "I've got two and I'm hopeful of getting the third soon."
That, if Docherty's luck holds, will be another Portsmouth player, proven striker Mike Quinn.
"I've agreed in writing with Portsmouth and now its up to the player. Obviously, he's a little bit choked at possibility of missing out on First Division football.
Ambitious
"I phoned him in Tenerife, where he was on holiday and I'm hopeful he realises how ambitious we are."
Docherty was also set to sign young Wesley Reid, given a free transfer by Arsenal, after a medical on Tuesday.
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| Quinn rejects Millwall move |
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By IAN MALIN.
MICKY QUINN, Portsmouth's £300,000 rated striker, has turned down a move to Millwall.
Quinn, who has attracted the attention Of Coventry and Celtic, said "It's nice to hear Millwall are after me, but I am desperate to play in the First Division next season and would prefer to stay at Portsmouth."
Millwall manager John Docherty, who has signed Reading defender Steve Wood, wanted the 25-year-old Quinn to slot in alongside Kevin O'Callaghan.
Reading have astounded Millwall by asking for £300,000 for Wood and the fee will be decided by tribunal.
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MILLWALL yesterday splashed out £200,000 on Gillingham striker Tony Cascarino just two days after Portsmouth's Mick Quinn turned down a move to the Den.
by KEVIN BRENNAN
Lions boss, John Docherty wasted no time making his third signing since the end of the season and now believes he has the three players - O'Callaghan, Wood and Cascarino - to help in a promotion bid.
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Millwall nearly clinched a deal for Cascarino earlier in the season but the transfer fell through and yesterday Docherty beat off Aston Villa and Ipswich to sign his man.
"He's been a regular scorer in the Third division for Gillingham over the years and I'm sure he can do the same for us in the Second next season," said Docherty
Cascarino traveled to the Den for talks yesterday and quickly agreed terms with the club.
"It's a good chance for me," he said, "Millwall came in with a good offer and showed that they are ambitious and I hope I can be successful with them.
"I've been involved in a lot of transfer speculation over the past couple of years and at the end of the season I it was the right time for me to move.
"I've always been able to score goals in my career and I think I can do that for Millwall in the Second Division next season."
Cascarino notched 30 goals for the Kent club last season and helped them to the brink of the promotion to the Second Division, before finally, being beaten by Swindon in a play off decider.
The 24 year old Eire international with a cockney accent almost signed for Charlton towards the end of last season and his name has consistently been linked with a number of top clubs.
Cascarino is Docherty's second purchase within a week. On Monday he signed Reading defender Steve Wood for a fee which will be decided by a transfer tribunal.
Millwall value the player at £45,000 but Reading claim the 24 year old six-footer is worth £300,000.
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