Did fan power ousted Lenny?

Last updated : 24 January 2008 By The Merry Lion
Lenny Pidgeley
Pidgeley: Affected by abuse
For the second time this season a player will be departing The Den after losing the support of a section of the crowd.

Ben May quit the club that had nurtured him from a boy into a professional footballer because he couldn't stand the criticism from the stands and now it seems that fan power was some way responsible for bringing an end to Lenny Pidgeley's reign as Millwall number one.

The crowd have been on the keeper's back for a number of weeks after an error-strewn season that has seen Pidgeley make a number of high-profile clangers and manager Kenny Jackett identified this loss of confidence as a major factor in the side's poor run of form of late, deciding to change things around sooner rather than later.

However, unlike May - who jumped ship at the earliest opportunity - Pidgeley was prepared to stay and fight for his place, but the manager saw differently, preferring a clean break.

"Lenny's a capable and very talented goalkeeper," explained Jackett to the waiting media. "He has 18 months left on his contract, but as it stands at the moment I've decided to make a change.

"I think its best for concerned if Lenny can find pastures new and get playing elsewhere. I'm sure he will benefit from his experience at Millwall and go on to do very well."

Speaking about the abuse the goalkeeper suffered from fans, Jackett pulled no punches: "It's tough for a goalkeeper when support doesn't necessarily go with him. They often need to reach that age and experience to come through that and do very well.

"Sometimes as a goalkeeper its best if you come out and get ready to go again elsewhere."