Mick Mills

A career that would see Mick Mills captain England at the World Cup Finals, and achieve considerable domestic club success started quietly in 1965, when a youthful Mills signed schoolboy forms with Portsmouth. He would never play for Pompey, but was taken by Ipswich Town where he made his debut in 1966 at the tender age of 17. It would be quite a while before the more recognisable image of Mills, of the short fat hairy legs and huge bushy moustache would appear.

Mills always played in a full back position and was used on both flanks, although the left side later became his speciality. In 1969 Ipswich were promoted to the First Division with Mills now a regular fixture in the side, this was also the year that he would begin a long association with Bobby Robson, who was appointed manager of Town.

Robson rated Mick Mills highly and would soon give the captaincy to him in 1971, even though he was still just 22. His ability had not gone unnoticed by others, gaining England Youth & under - 23 caps, and he was also a transfer target for Man United.

Under Robson, Ipswich had a very creditable fourth place finish in Division 1 in 1973 and also qualified for the UEFA Cup. Mills would also reach a landmark of his own in this year by gaining a first England cap, playing right back for his country at Wembley against the Yugoslavs. He would, however, have to wait another 3 years for his next cap.

The Mick Mills style of play was all about dependability and organisation, a good defender and stopper. He had learned to do the simple things well and marshalled his side effectively. He was hard & fair in the challenge and his low centre of gravity made him appear strong against far larger opponents. Sometimes you don't need to be blessed with extraordinary footballing ability to make your mark on the game. Mills was a case in point.

The young Ipswich side developed by Robson and lead by Mills, now started to appear at the top of the First Division and seemed destined for trophies. A third place finish in the league was followed by Ipswich's only FA Cup victory in 1978. Mills captained the side against an Arsenal side who were outright favourites to win on the day. Ipswich had not read the script and totally outclassed Arsenal, allowing Mills himself to lift the Cup.

Success at Ipswich was met by frustration with the England Team, and Mills was struggling to become a fixture in his National side, being switched from left to right full back in the process. Only after England failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup, would he start to become a regular starter and, when England qualified for the European Championship of 1980 he was thought to be first choice at left back. He would not however, be unchallenged for the place - a young Kenny Sansom would also gain caps in Mills' favoured position.

His club career at Ipswich continued to flourish, maintaining high finishes in Division 1 and finishing runners up on two occasions. Mills would also captain the side to European silverware, with a UEFA Cup victory over AZ 67 Alkmaar in a two legged final.

He would continue to win caps for England although not an automatic selection and, somewhat surprisingly, was named as captain in the England World Cup Squad for Spain in 1982. The captain of the England squad, Kevin Keegan was injured at the time. Mills played in all the first round games, and through the second group stage in which the side did not concede a goal. Unfortunately, however, England would go out although they didn't lose a game.

Those appearances would be his last for Mick Mills in an England shirt, and his association with Ipswich would also soon end. Bobby Robson became England manager and Mills was sold to Southampton for £40,000 after 17 years service. He would go on to play over 100 games for the Saints in the next 3 seasons, followed by a final playing season at Stoke City.

Upon finishing his playing career, Mills tried his hand at managing with a four year spell as Potters boss, followed by a brief liaison with Colchester United, a scouting job for Sheff Weds & coach at Birmingham City. He was also rewarded with an MBE for his long service to our national game.