GARY Rowett has praised the “outstanding” fans for their tributes to John Berylson as Millwall and Gillingham paid respects to his memory.
Before the game at Priestfield, which Millwall won 2-0, both clubs honoured the late chairman, who died in an accident in America earlier this month.
Millwall legend and Gillingham boss Neil Harris joined Rowett in presenting a wreath before the game as the two bosses lead their teams out of the tunnel.
Jake Cooper then placed the wreath in front of away fans who sung Berylson’s name throughout the afternoon.
Some supporters also held up a banner which read: “Thank you for everything.”
John’s son James was yesterday announced as the new Millwall chairman and said he would “strive to fufill dad’s legacy” in an emotional statement.
After the game, Rowett said: “There’s a lot of Millwall fans around these areas and I’m sure there’s been some good close links over the years between the clubs.
“Obviously Neil is absolutely a Millwall legend both as a player and a manager in his time here. So I think it was a fitting tribute to walk the wreath out together to put it down and then Coops to put it in front of our 2,000 fans that brilliantly came to watch the team and pay their tributes.
“It was a nice touch and I’m sure that won’t be the last time we see something like that in the games ahead.
“I thought the fans today paying tribute were absolutely outstanding and we appreciate Gillingham also doing the same.”
A first-half penalty from new signing Kevin Nisbet and an emphatic Aidomo Emakhu strike late in the game settled the contest in Millwall’s favour.