Millwall chairman John Berylson is survived by his wife and three children (Picture: MB Media)

Millwall’s owner and chairman John Berylson died after his car overturned and hit a tree in the US, it has emerged.  

The American businessman was driving his Range Rover alone in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, when it left the road and rolled into a ravine.

Berylson, 70, had to be cut out of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, local police said.  

Millwall became an established Championship side, particularly in recent years, under Berylson, who joined the club in 2006.

Chief executive Steve Kavanagh paid tribute to Berylson’s ‘extraordinary and exemplary’ contribution on the club’s website.

He wrote: ‘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.

‘There have been ups and downs, sure, but in my view many more of the former, and as we know John enjoyed nothing more than to light up a big cigar in celebration of a famous win, promotion, or other deserving achievement.

‘His regular visits to The Den became increasingly memorable as the support for him from the fan base grew further with every passing season.

John Berylson was driving alone in Cape Cod when his car left the road (Picture: NBC 10)

The Millwall owner’s Range Rover fell into a ravine where it overturned (Picture: Falmouth Police)

‘He loved the time he would spend walking the perimeter of the stadium to speak to supporters, and his lap of honour before the final game of the season – in hindsight an even more profound moment now – was amazing to witness.

‘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 is survived by his wife, Amy, and three children Jennifer, James and Elizabeth.

Millwall’s squad will remain in Spain for pre-season preparations, but will pay their respects to the late chairman at The Den on their return.

John Berylson first became involved with Millwall in 2006 (Picture: PA)

Millwall manager Gary Rowett said: ‘He would always ring me after games, he’d ring me a couple of times in the week just to ask how things were going.

‘The skill that John had was incredible, he’d always try to make you feel better if you’d lost a game or something had happened.

‘He’d always try to support and make it feel like there was a way out of it, there was a route out of it and there was a strategy to move forward. That showed his compassion, that showed his love for the club.

‘It’s so difficult to comprehend, for me certainly, Millwall without John Berylson, because he was the figurehead, he was the inspiration and just a tremendous, tremendous owner and chairman.’

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John Berylson, 70, had to be cut out of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, local police said.