The dad of murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen has hailed Millwall FC for its support since his son was killed.
Barry Mizen, 67, thanked Millwall supporters for their generosity after raising £1,600 for the family’s charity, For Jimmy, at The Den on Good Friday.
But the father-of-nine added the club has done so much more than fundraise since Jimmy’s death.
MORE: Mum of Jimmy Mizen on knife crime, For Jimmy and 21 Bridges walk
“The club were supportive from the day after Jimmy was killed,” Mr Mizen told News Shopper.
“After he died, it was reported somewhere in the press that the family supported Millwall FC. The following day, the head of communications invited us to a game where they held a minute of silence for Jimmy.”
Jimmy Mizen died aged 16 on May 10, 2008 when he was attacked with a glass dish in the Three Cooks Bakery just around the corner from his home in Lee.
Jimmy was just 16 when he was killed
Since his death, the Mizen family set up the For Jimmy charity, which aims to reduce violent crime among young people by sharing their son’s story.
The family has also teamed up with Millwall FC to hold an annual Jimmy’s Day at The Den, where a bucket collection is organised and Jimmy is remembered by fans and players.
“It grew out of an idea from Charlton – there was a game between Millwall and Charlton which was held in memory of Jimmy and Rob Knox,” Mr Mizen explained.
Rob Knox was stabbed to death outside the Metro Pub in Sidcup when he was 18 years old after he stepped in to protect his brother, Jamie, who was being threatened by men with knives.
MORE: Mother of murdered Sidcup teen Rob Knox speaks about rise in knife crime ten years on
Since the first memorial game, Mr Mizen praised Millwall FC for continuing the tradition to remember Jimmy every year. He also made note of the work carried out by Millwall Community Trust to help out young people.
He said: “It’s a very easy rhetoric to say ‘Oh it’s Millwall’, and people switch off after that. They don’t hear anything beyond that.
“Friday was very much about remembering Jimmy but also about the foundation, what it stands for and the work Millwall does in the community.”
Mr Mizen, who is currently preparing for the 21 Bridges walk to be held on May 25 (Jimmy’s birthday) wanted to break down stereotypes people have about Millwall.
“For us, it’s about promoting the unseen work Millwall does in the community. It really has an impact and we are so proud to be involved with it.
“We are very proud to stand up and say we support Millwall Football Club.”
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