They are renowned as English football’s toughest club, their shirts proclaim they “fear no foe” and their fans chant: “No one likes us, we don’t care.” But even Millwall have given way in a drive by transgender activists to “bully and silence” their critics.

Feminists who hired the club’s conference suite for a meeting last week about “how concerns raised by women are being shut down through threats, harassment and accusations of transphobia” say Millwall cancelled the booking after pressure from transgender lobbyists.

The event was to protest against potential legal changes allowing people born male to “self-identify” as women. Feminists say the move threatens women’s spaces and rights.

Venice Allan, the meeting’s organiser, said: “I got a call from the club saying they’d never