Millwall 2-3 Watford: Hornets win thriller as Matija Sarkic is remembered at The Den

Among the excitement of a new season at The Den, there was a more poignant message as the club remembered Sarkic, who died in his home country of Montenegro in June at the age of 26.

The Montenegro international was only with the Lions for a year, but he cemented himself as the number one for both Joe Edwards and then Neil Harris as the club finished the season in 13th.

“That was the key part of today, Matija’s family were here and for us to be able to pay tribute to him and remember him with a Millwall send off, which both sets of fans did, for us as human beings, what a privilege to be able to be here and do our jobs,” Harris told BBC Radio London.

There were a number of tributes to Sarkic before the game, including wreaths being brought out and laid behind both goals and a touching video on the big screen.

Sarkic’s family were welcomed on to the pitch in a highly emotional moment, with tears in the crowd and also a banner carrying the message “RIP Matija Sarkic” displayed by the travelling Watford fans.

A tree has been placed outside the players’ entrance to the stadium and a mural unveiled in the Cold Blow Lane end.