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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Bryan Nicholson

Who has played for Millwall and West Ham? Stars to have crossed the divide

Played for both: Teddy Sheringham started his career at Millwall and later represented West Ham - (Getty Images)

West Ham and Millwall have shared an intense rivalry over the years, born out of everything from geographic proximity and social status to plain football hooliganism.

While West Ham have spent most of their time in more recent years playing Premier League football, Millwall have been languishing in the lower divisions.

Now, on the pitch for the 2026/27 season, the two London teams renew rivalries in the Championship, with more than just three points on the line at The Den.

While there is no love lost between the fans, there is a surprising number of players that have not had a problem crossing the divide.

Here, Standard Sport has picked out five of the most notable players who have spent time at both clubs.

Clive Allen (Getty)
Clive Allen (Getty)

Clive Allen

A prolific striker by nature, Allen togged out for the two clubs during the twilight of his career. He lined up in West Ham colours between 1992 and 1994, scoring 17 goals in 38 league appearances. He moved onto Millwall for the 1994/95 season but made just 12 appearances, failing to find the net.

Neil Ruddock (Getty)
Neil Ruddock (Getty)

Neil Ruddock

Ruddock is a player that needs no introductions. A hardman by nature, “Razor” Ruddock is most known for his time at Liverpool.

It was Millwall though where he made his debut in 1998 having been associated with the club since the age of 13. Later in his career, he was sold by Liverpool to West Ham, where he amassed 42 league appearances between 1998 and 2000.

Glen Johnson (Getty Images)
Glen Johnson (Getty Images)

Glen Johnson

Johnson is an attacking full-back who made his name at Chelsea where he won the Premier League and League Cup. Before his move to the Bridge, Johnson had started his career at West Ham in 2002, and was sent on loan to Millwall where he made eight appearances.

The England international moved on to Liverpool, spending the majority of his career at Anfield, winning the League Cup in 2012.

Teddy Sheringham (Getty Images)
Teddy Sheringham (Getty Images)

Teddy Sheringham

Sheringham is the most accomplished and decorated player on the list having spent eight years at Millwall, scoring 93 goals. The former England striker moved onto bigger things with Tottenham and then Manchester United where he won the Premier League three times along with the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Sheringham scored over 125 goals for the two clubs before a three-year spell with West Ham from 2004 which saw him play - and score - in the Premier League beyond his 40th birthday.

Tony Cottee (Getty Images)
Tony Cottee (Getty Images)

Tony Cottee

Cottee began his career with West Ham, scoring 92 league goals between 1982 and 1988, before a return to his home club in 1994.

The striker is perhaps more widely known for his spells at Leicester and Everton, scoring nearly 100 league goals in his time at the two clubs. Cottee would finish his career at Millwall, making just two appearances in 2001.

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