Against all odds, the Lions reached their first FA Cup final 20 years ago, before losing 3-0 to Manchester United in Cardiff. Now with United the clear underdogs against Man City, perhaps they could channel the all-action spirit of Wise and co.
Chelsea legend Wise – famed for his no-nonsense style of play – was Millwall’s player-manager for two years between 2003 and 2005.
And his ex-teammate Nick Chadwick, who spent the 2003/04 season on loan at Millwall from Everton, recalled Wise’s inspirational team talk the night before the clash – which involved champagne.
To then fire his players up at the Millennium Stadium, he clattered into a fresh-faced Ronaldo – before pushing him in the face.
Appearing on the I Had Trials Once podcast, former United academy player Chadwick reflected on the loss to the Red Devils, where he was ineligible to feature.
He remarked: “Millwall invited me back for the final, so I had to get a cup final suit and I went down to the Millennium a couple of days earlier.
“I was with the injured and suspended boys so we were out two nights before the final, out the night before the final so come the cup final I was sat on the bed (out of it) after six hours sleep.
“Dennis Wise gave a great speech before the final and we had a little half a glass of champagne and he made a toast to everyone.
“If you wanted to drink it you drank it, if you wanted to chuck it over your shoulder you did.
“(The speech) was just around no one expecting us to get here, what an achievement it is to be here and playing Man United in the FA Cup final.”
Chadwick then discussed Wise’s infamous clash with Ronaldo in the 18th minute, which saw the ex-Blues skipper wipe out the future five-time Ballon d’Or winner alongside David Livermore.
Wise had taken exception to the Portugal international skipping past Tim Cahill and Livermore – much to the delight of the United fans in attendance.
He proceeded to stop him in his tracks with a firm challenge, before pushing the then-19-year-old in the face as he prepared to get up.
Chadwick said of the incident: “In typically Wisey fashion, I remember him going out after a couple of minutes and smashing into Ronaldo or someone like that.
“And that was a little message to our team more so than Man United, saying, ‘We’re here to win, let’s just have a go.'”
Ronaldo, who was the first Portuguese player to feature in an FA Cup final, headed home the opener just before the break, before Ruud van Nistelrooy struck twice in the second half.
Since their 2004 triumph, United have won the FA Cup on just one more occasion – beating Crystal Palace in the 2016 final.
And after a dismal season where they ended in their lowest Premier League position in eighth spot- they have the chance to finish the campaign on a high.
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