They have a history of racism and violence which reached a climax two years ago when a promotion play-off defeat against Birmingham City in Cardiff ended in a riot in which a 1,000-strong mob fought with police, causing 127 casualties.

Millwall's ground, the New Den, is one of the last bastions of the least politically-correct group in British society -- the white, heterosexual, working class male.

When the Lions needed a new manager six months they chose Dennis Wise, who had been sacked by Premiership side Leicester City for breaking a team-mate's jaw.

Wise was captain of the Wimbledon 'Crazy Gang' which caused such a shock in the 1988 FA Cup final when Lawrie Sanchez headed the only goal and Dave Beasant became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in a Wembley final when he stopped John Aldridge's spot-kick.

The combative 1.67m midfielder went on to win 21 caps with England when with Chelsea, where he played in three FA Cup finals, losing to Eric Cantona's Manchester United in 1994 but winning against Middlesbrough in 1997 and Aston Villa in 2000 in the last Wembley final.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once said Wise, once falsely accused of attacking a taxi driver, could start trouble in an empty room.

But Wise told the Daily Mail on Monday: "If I could achieve only a couple of the things that he has done I'd be chuffed to bits."

Wise, whose deputy at Millwall is former Chelsea and England midfielder Ray Wilkins, does not have a coaching certificate yet and might not be qualified to coach Milwall in next season's UEFA Cup, for which they qualify because Manchester will be playing in the Champions League.

Sunday's win over fellow first division side Sunderland with a goal from Australian international Tim Cahill was Milwall's first FA Cup semi-final since 1937 when Sunderland were also their opponents. Sunderland won that semi-final 2-1.

Cahill, 22, is one of two Australians in the side along with Kevin Muscat.

Cahill came to England as a 16-year-old to try to make the grade at football. He had to battle to win international selection until last month because he once played for Western Samoa as a 14-year-old.

Manchester United will be their first Premiership opponents in the Cup this season.

Millwall had appeared in two other semi-finals, in 1900 and 1903, having started life as the works side of the Morris Jam factory in 1885 with most of the team made up of factory workers from Scotland.

With Teddy Sheringham and Tony Cascarino in attack, they won the second division title in 1988 and had two seasons in the then first division.

They were quick to follow the trend into the stock exchange but in 1997 trading in their shares was suspended and they went into administration.

Self-made millionaire Theo Paphitis, whose lingerie companies La Senza and Contessa offer provocative women's products and Ryman stationery stores sell great envelopes, dug them out of their financial crisis and they won promotion from the second division in 2001.

And the man who has worn the same jacket and trousers since Millwall's Cup run started promised to do a full Monty if they reached the FA Cup final.

"I'm looking forward to his streak," said Wise. "He hasn't said where he will do it yet, but it's all in aid of a couple of charities.