Millwall Rovers were formed by the workers of J.T. Morton's canning and preserve factory in the Millwall area of the Isle of Dogs in London's East End in 1885.[2] First founded in Aberdeen in 1849 to supply sailing ships with food, the company opened their first English cannery and food processing plant at Millwall docks in 1872 and attracted a workforce from across the country, including the east coast of Scotland, primarily Dundee.[2]
The club secretary was seventeen-year-old Jasper Sexton,[3] the son of the landlord of The Islander pub in Tooke Street where Millwall held their meetings. Millwall Rovers' first fixture was on 3 October 1885 against Fillebrook, a team that played in Leytonstone. The newly formed team were well beaten 5–0.[2]
Season summary
Club secretary Jasper Sexton submitted to the Football Annual the following record, of played 24, won 17, drawn 3 and lost 4. Goals 45 for and 28 against.[3] After the away loss to Fillebrook, their first home game was against St Luke's, which they won 2-1.[3] They won their next five games, then a draw, a defeat and four more wins.
