This week sees the Millwall v Charlton derby being played at its lowest ebb for over ninety years. On Wednesday evening the rivals face each other languishing in 13th and 14th position in League One with both acutely short of form and confidence.

The two clubs last met at League One level in the 2009/10 season. Although Charlton suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the away game they were comfortably situated in the league at the time and proceeded with their neighbours to qualify for the play-offs which Millwall ultimately won.

Their previous meeting at this level was in the 1980/81 season but, when they lined up at The Den on 6th September 1980, Charlton had won four and drawn one of their opening five games and were sitting in a promotion slot.

In February 1935, Charlton's 3-1 win at The Den (Don Welsh's debut) was part of their all conquering run-in which would see them crowned as champions of the then Third Division (South). It was to be the last time they played Millwall for 31 years.

Seven years previously, when Millwall triumphed 5-0 in February 1928, it was their turn to be racing towards the Third Division (South) championship.

So it can be seen that it is a long time since the fixture was played with both clubs in such doldrums. And, of course, this is not just a matter of events on the pitch. While Charlton's owner labels the club's protesting supporters "stupid people", Millwall face a crisis in the shape of their dispute with Lewisham Council about compulsory purchase of land near The Den.

The poverty of Charlton's record against Millwall over the years is well documented. The league record stands at: Played 70; Won 11; Drawn 25; Lost 34.

It is 21 years since the last victory and Charlton have yet to beat The Lions in the eight fixtures played this century, in which they have failed to score in six. The away record is even more dire - 5th December 1995 and 28th October 1978 are the only occasions in most of our supporting lifetimes that the Addicks have come away from Bermondsey with a league victory.

So do we travel in hope? Millwall lost their last home game 0-1 to Shrewsbury and were well beaten at Scunthorpe on Saturday. But Charlton have only scored once in four games under Karl Robinson and were distressingly abject against Peterborough.

However - Charlton are yet to lose when CAS Trust has run a coach to the game. Our passengers have seen draws at Fleetwood, Oxford and Gillingham. We have a full 53 seater running up from Ramsgate on Wednesday. I think a 0-0 draw is guaranteed