Millwall FC owner John Berylson, 70, dead after car rolls into ravine in Massachusetts crash — one month after birthday

Businessman John Berylson, the owner and chairman of English soccer club Millwall FC for over a decade, died Tuesday when he lost control of his SUV and struck a tree in Massachusetts.

The crash happened before 8 a.m. as Berylson drove his 2019 Range Rover on a curved road and rolled into a ravine, according to Falmouth Police Department.

Berylson was trapped in the overturned vehicle and died from the injuries he sustained in the crash. 

Footage captured Berylson’s mangled SUV being removed from the wooded area, located roughly 25 miles outside of Cape Cod. 

Berylson celebrated his 70th birthday last month.

“This is unquestionably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write in my life,” Millwall CEO Steve Kavanagh said in a statement. “John was, without any doubt whatsoever, the best club owner I have ever worked with, and I would argue strongly that he was the best chairman of any club in this country. 

“What he did for Millwall over so many years was both extraordinary and exemplary. He trusted his staff to get on with the task at hand but was always unwavering in his support in so many ways. John’s endless passion for Millwall was infectious. He was so incredibly dedicated to the club and year after year showed remarkable energy and drive to keep us progressing on and off the pitch. 

“I feel so desperately sad for John’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at what is just such a devastatingly cruel time.”

Berylson first became involved with Millwall FC in 2006 before he became a majority shareholder in the club a year later through the private equity firm Chestnut Hill Ventures LLC, which is based in Wellesley, Mass.

Millwall FC has twice been promoted to the English Football Championship division under Berylson’s ownership. 

Berylson was praised for reveling in Millwall’s “underdog status and mentality” as well as his close relationship with its supporters.

“I don’t believe it, I can’t quite get my head around it,” former Millwall player Steve Morison told talkSport. “He’s someone who gave me my chance, as well as the manager, but off the back of it the stuff he’s done for me off the pitch is been that one person within football who’s always been constant and positive, who’s got my back.

“He’s shown the rest of the Championship how to run a football club, they’re the most stable club in the Championship bar a couple. He just runs it so fantastically. It’s going to hit so many people at the club. He’s not an owner or chairman that you don’t see or speak to, he’s there, he goes round and sees everybody.”

He leaves behind his wife Amy and three children Jennifer, James and Elizabeth.