Cusack to Go ?

Millwall face an FA disciplinary commission at noon tomorrow.

The Lions will plead their case to a charge of failing to take 'reasonable precautions' to prevent incidents that occurred in the Third Division clash with Brentford at The Den on January 15.

Leslie Mackay, chairman of the FA's disciplinary committee, leads the five-man team that will probe the allegation .

The charge was laid against the Lions after a small group of fans came on to the pitch during the 2-1 defeat.

CUSACK WANTS TO GO

By Brian Stater

MILLWALL defender Dave Cusack still wants to quit The Den. The unsettled centre half has repeated a transfer request after making an unsuccessful bid to leave the Lions last season.

But assistant manager Theo Foley yesterday insisted, "We've refused to put Dave on the transfer list - he isn't for sale."

Move
Meanwhile winger Steve Lowndes is back in action after badly dislocating his big toe at Bolton in January.

He will train right through the summer and Foley added, "He's looking extremely good and is working very hard.”

Dave Cusack, the Millwall defender, is being chased by Brighton. Cusack wants to leave the Den and I'm certain that if Brighton came in with the right offer he would go.

Better news for the New Cross Team is the return of wide player Steve Lowndes, who dislocated his big toe.

Millwall are at home to Aston Villa on August 4, Charlton on August 11, and are trying to fix a third friendly with Manchester City at the Den

CUSACK CHASED BY BRIGHTON

By Brian Stater

UNSETTLED Millwall defender Dave Cusack has sparked interest from Second Division Brighton.

Lions assistant manager Theo Foley said "Brighton have made enquiries - but there has been no firm offer for Dave."

And Foley insisted that Millwall have no plans to sell players this summer. Cusack has twice asked for a move - but manager George Graham refused to put him on the transfer list following his latest request.

Millwall hope to arrange a glamour pre-season friendly with Manchester City at Den. Foley explained, "We are waiting to have it confirmed. It depends on whether City go on tour to Sweden."

The Lions have already arranged home games with Aston Villa on August 4 and Charlton on August 11th. Meanwhile Fisher Athletic have arranged a pre-season friendly with the Lions on August 14.

The Bermondsey side will also he playing Third Division Gillingham at their Salter Road Ground.

Millwall boss George Graham say there haven’t been any concrete bids for unsettled Dave Cusack. Graham isn’t anxious to release him, unless it’s a fee he feels he cannot refuse.

An FA Disciplinary commission went to the Den (on Wednesday) to listen to an explanation against a charge of failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent incidents that occurred in the match with Brentford on January 15.

Lions in the Clear

by Brian Stater

MILLWALL won the fight to clear their name at this week's FA probe into trouble at The Den. A five-man FA disciplinary commission ruled that the club had taken all reasonable precautions to prevent incidents at a Third Division match with Brentford and an FA Youth Cup tie against Everton. Both matches were played in January.

Millwall secretary Sylvia Shaw said, "We're

very pleased. We have always felt we take adequate safeguards against trouble in the crowd."

Meanwhile manager George Graham will continue his search for signings after returning this week from a brief holiday.

Millwall will meet relegated Swansea at The Den in the opening League fixture on August 25.

MILLWALL manager George Graham has agreed terms with Plymouth defender Lindsay Smith.

The deal which ends a long hunt for the 29-year-old centre-half looks certain to be settled at an independent tribunal.

Plymouth wanted offers of £50,000, but Graham insisted that £10,000 was a more realistic figure.

Meanwhile Welsh winger Steve Lowndes goes in to hospital today to have a pin removed from the injured toe that caused him to miss much of last season.

SMITH DEAL: IT’S D-DAY

By Brian Stater

MILLWALL chief George Graham will learn the outcome of his bid to sign Lindsay Smith today. Graham will be on hand at the Football League tribunal which will rule on the fee for Plymouth's 29-year-old central defender.

Graham explained, "I have agreed terms with Lindsay and offered Plymouth £10,000. But they want £50,000 for him. The tribunal will fix a conditional fee. That means we can still pull out of the deal if we feel the figure is too high."

The most common form of tribunal sees conflicting clubs bound by its findings, but the system that will rule on Millwall's bid is binding only on the selling club. The hearing gets underway at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion's ground, at noon.

Graham said, "This type of bearing is very helpful to smaller clubs who are reluctant to be put. in a position where they must pay a higher fee than they can afford."

Graham's anxiety to clinch the Smith deal will be increased by the fact that first-choice centre half Dave Cusack is still determined -to leave the club, and utility man Dave Martin - who is impressive in the centre half role - is also still on the transfer list.

Both have attracted, recent enquiries, but Graham denies there is any positive deal in the offing.

Meanwhile the Lions have finalised their pre-season programme. Graham's side face First Division Luton at The Den on Friday August 17. They are at home to Aston Villa on August 4 and also have games with Wimbledon and Charlton on August 7 and 11.

It's a deal

LINDSAY Smith is set to have his second spell at the Den after a Football League tribunal fixed a conditional fee of £17,500 on Tuesday.

Millwall had offered £10,000 but Plymouth wanted £50,000. Smith, a central defender, figured prominently in Plymouth's great FA Cup run last season when they reached the semi-finals. He is 29 and can also play up front if needed.

Centre back Dave Cusack is still anxious to get away from the Den for personal reasons, and Dave Martin — perhaps the best sweeper at Millwall, is still on the list. Clubs have enquired for them, but no firm bids have been made.

There will be more competition for places this season with Steve Lowndes fit again, Tony Kinsella back at Cold Blow Lane and Nicky Chatterton buzzing again after his injury.

Millwall have arranged four attractive home friendlies for their pre-season programme. They play Aston Villa on August 4, Wimbledon on August 7, Charlton on August 11 and Luton on August 17.

Lions Drop Clive Deal

by Brian Stater

MILLWALL have cooled their interest in Chelsea's Clive Walker. Den boss George Graham was reported last week to have bid £50,000 for the Stamford Bridge star, but a Chelsea official yesterday told me, "I know nothing about an offer from Millwall.”

Graham was anxious to sign 27-year-old Walker on loan terms last season, but failed to persuade him to move down to the Third Division.

Contract
In the meantime Graham has signed another left-sided man in Tony Kinsella and could feet that Walker is surplus to requirements. Walker is now on week-to-week terms at Chelsea after serving out his contract.

Tynan's The Den Target: Graham Guns for Tommy

by Brian Stater

GEORGE GRAHAM now wants a new striker at The Den. The Millwall chief will step up his bid to sign a forward following his successful completion of the Lindsay Smith saga.

Graham said, "With the players we have, there's no competition for Kevin Bremner and Dean Neal. They are almost choosing themselves. If either of them are injured we could he in trouble."

Graham has made enquiries for Plymouth's Tommy Tynan, the free-scoring goal ace who made a big impact, with Smith, in the south coast club's run to the FA Cup semi-final earlier in the year.

But Plymouth are demanding £75,000 for 28-Year-old Tynan, who has been transfer-listed at his

own request. Graham is unlikely to make any immediate progress towards a firm deal. Graham added, “I have to he careful in who I bring in. We are slowly moving forward and I must he careful to make sure that any new player is better than the people we already have."

Meanwhile, the Lions this week added the finishing touches to the deal that brings Lindsay Smith to The Den.

Graham has been stalking Smith since January and it was only when Tuesday's transfer tribunal ruled that he should move for £17,500 that the final details fell into place.

Graham said, "I had offered £10,000 while Plymouth wanted £50,000. I thought the decision was reasonably fair."