Can it really be true that a Labour council is in cahoots with an offshore property speculator to undermine and conceivably force the relocation of the London borough’s only professional sporting organisation, one moreover that was founded more than a century ago and is supported by the very working-class voters who have long sustained Labour in power in Lewisham (Millwall having to move would be ‘heartbreaking’ says Lib Dem leader, Sport, 9 January)?
Steve Morison, who scored in Millwall’s commendable defeat of Premiership Bournemouth in Saturday’s FA Cup tie, has spoken of the “fantastic” work undertaken by the Lions in the local community over many years; those of us who marched in protest against recent proposals to close substantial parts of Lewisham hospital recall with gratitude the substantial part played in that campaign by Millwall FC. It used to be said that the characteristic refrain of Millwall supporters was “ Everyone hates us, we don’t care”. It appears that the ruling Labour group on Lewisham council is determined to emulate such opprobrium. So find your voices, Mr Corbyn, Mr Khan and any other Labour representative who claims to value your party’s link with its “traditional” supporters, and persuade your colleagues in Lewisham to ditch this madcap scheme which is increasingly attracting roars of outrage from way beyond the Lions’ Den.
Edward Lloyd-Jones
London
• The Jockey Club’s decision to sell off one of horseracing’s most important racecourses, Kempton Park, for housing (Sport, 11 January) is at best shortsighted, and at worst foolhardy. Kempton Park is home to the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, which has been National Hunt racing’s midwinter championship race for eight decades and has allowed such great racehorses as Arkle, Desert Orchid and Kauto Star to display their talents in front of sell-out crowds. History and tradition underpin horseracing and to lose Kempton Park will be a huge blow to the sport that even the expected revenue from the sale won’t compensate for.
The demands for housing in London are great and must be met, but British sport will be poorer if this much-loved racing venue is sold for this purpose. The Jockey Club is “of the view that British racing is better served” with this action, but it must listen to the voices of the racing fans who firmly oppose this decision.
Alice Kay
London
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