On April 4 2004, Tim Cahill solidified his status as a Millwall legend after his winning goal against Sunderland sent the Lions to their first-ever FA Cup final.
The Caltex Socceroo smashed home a parried shot in the 25th minute of the semi-final at Old Trafford in what turned out to be his second last game as a Millwall player.
After a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup final – where Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the decisive goals – Cahill departed the Lions for Everton in the Premier League.
However, 13 years later, the 38-year-old has returned to Millwall as he eyes a spot at a fourth World Cup in Russia.
Here’s a look back at Cahill’s highlights as a Millwall player.
- 1997: Cahill signs for Millwall from Sydney United.
- May 2 1998: Cahill makes his Millwall debut in a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth.
- 1999: Cahill helps Millwall reach the Football League Trophy final, which they lost to Wigan 1-0.
- 2000/2001: Cahill is part of the Lions side who won the Football League Second Division championship with a club record points total
- 2004: Cahill’s goal in a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Sunderland secures their first-ever FA Cup final spot and a UEFA Cup place. Cahill polled over 100,000 votes to win the ‘Player of the Round’ award for his performance against the Black Cats.
- Prior to 2004/2005 season: Cahill signs for Everton after spending seven years at Millwall.
- Goals record: 56 goals in 249 games for Millwall