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Mick Mills
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Mick Mills
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Michael Dennis Mills MBE (born 4 January 1949) is an English former footballer who played for Ipswich Town, Southampton and Stoke City. He managed Stoke City, Colchester United and Birmingham City. During his career he achieved Ipswich Town's record number of appearances and captained England at the 1982 World Cup.[1] He is 7th on the list of all-time appearances in the top-flight of English football (First Division and Premier League) with 658 league appearances, and fourth for outfield players.[3]

Key Information

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1984 New Year Honours, for "services to association football".[4]

Club career

[edit]

Mills joined Portsmouth as a schoolboy, but the club abandoned its youth system, forcing him to look for a new club to begin his career.[5] Ipswich Town took him on and he made his debut for the first team in 1966, aged just 17, in a 5–2 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[5] A full back who could play on either side but was more frequently used on the left, Mills spent his late teens in and out of the Ipswich first team but became an established regular in 1969, the year after the club achieved promotion to the First Division.[5] It was also the year that Bobby Robson arrived as manager.[5]

Mick Mills in 1978

Robson appointed Mills as team captain in 1971 and so began a close working relationship between coach and skipper which was at the forefront of Ipswich's rise to the top of the game for a decade. In 1973, Ipswich finished fourth in the First Division, won the Texaco Cup and qualified for the UEFA Cup.[5] Ipswich began to finish in the top sector of the First Division with some regularity and played in numerous European competitions, but actual success seemed to elude them. Mills was the experienced captain of a young side consisting mainly of players brought through the ranks. They achieved third place in the First Division in 1977 and expected to go better than that the following year.[5] However, that subsequent season in the First Division for Ipswich was disappointing as they struggled to find any consistency and finished a lowly 16th. There was a tremendous bonus for them in the FA Cup, however, as they reached the final where they beat favourites Arsenal 1–0 at Wembley.[5] Mills, as captain, lifted the trophy – Ipswich's first major honour for 16 years. Ipswich, meanwhile, continued to hit high spots, finishing in the top five every year between 1978 and 1982, including a memorable season in 1981 which saw them just miss out on First Division and FA Cup glory, but won the UEFA Cup, which Mills duly collected after victory over AZ 67 Alkmaar in the final.[5]

In the same year, Robson had told a 33-year-old Mills that his contract at Ipswich would not be renewed. Mills joined Southampton in November 1982 for £40,000, while Robson became Ron Greenwood's replacement as England manager, thereby ending Mills' international career too.[5] He made 741 appearances for Ipswich over 17 years, a club record. In seven seasons he played all 42 league games including four in a row, 72/73 to 75/76. He also played all matches including cupgames in six seasons; 50 in 70/71, 54 (72/73), 57 (73/74), 50 (75/76), 55 (78/79) and finally all 55 matches in 81/82. He had just turned 22 when he became captain 30.01.71 and remained Ipswichcaptain for the rest of his career - a total of 588 matches [5]

He joined Southampton in November 1982 and spent three seasons at The Dell making 123 appearances before leaving in the summer of 1985 to become player-manager at Stoke City.[6] At Stoke, Mills played himself 44 times before deciding to retire from playing at the age of 38.

International career

[edit]

Mills represented England at youth[7] and under-23 levels.[8]

During the 1972–73 season, England manager Alf Ramsey gave Mills his first international cap in a 1–1 draw with Yugoslavia at Wembley. Mills played at right back, a position which became more familiar to him with England than with Ipswich as his career continued. His second cap came in 1976 against Wales and he had eleven by the end of the 1977 campaign.

While his club had finally won a trophy, Mills' international career was in a semi-statuesque state.[clarification needed] Don Revie had given him a number of games at left back, including the opening qualifiers for the 1978 World Cup (a straightforward 4–1 win for England over Finland, followed by a disappointing 2–0 defeat to Italy) but Mills had to cope with much competition for both full back slots. After Revie's departure, successor Ron Greenwood seemed to prefer Liverpool's Phil Neal at right back and Leeds United's Trevor Cherry at left back, with Mills as reserve for both. He did not play in any of the remaining qualifying games, and England failed to reach the finals. Mills, however, started to become a regular in the England set-up in 1978 though some confusion continued over his best position as, of the eight internationals during that year, he played six at left back (with Neal on the right) and two at right back (with Cherry down the left). Mills sacrificed his place in the final England game of 1978, against Czechoslovakia, when Nottingham Forest right back Viv Anderson was handed his debut, becoming England's first black player.

Another young debutant, Kenny Sansom, emerged in 1979 to give Mills food for thought in the other full back slot, but he began to settle in at left back for his country as England qualified for the 1980 European Championships. Mills was named in Greenwood's squad but by now Sansom was an established option in the left back slot and he got the nod over Mills in England's opening two group games – a draw with Belgium and a defeat against hosts Italy – before Mills returned for the final game against Spain, which, despite an England win, saw their exit from the tournament. Mills played four England matches in 1981 – notably, they were all World Cup qualifiers for the 1982 tournament, with Greenwood happy to use less-experienced players like Anderson and Sansom in the friendly games which preceded them. When England beat Hungary at Wembley in their final qualifier to reach their first World Cup in a dozen years, Mills won his 35th cap.

Still switching flanks for his country when required (but rarely for club – he was almost always the left back), Mills played in just two of the preparation matches for the competition, but was named in the team as right back and captain (squad captain Kevin Keegan was injured) when England played their first game of the tournament against France in Bilbao.[9] England won 3–1 and Mills stayed in the side for the remaining group matches, both of which England also won, although he switched to left back for the final match to allow a run-out for Neal. Greenwood reverted to a Mills-Sansom full back pairing for the second phase, but two goalless draws against West Germany and Spain (the latter of which finally saw Keegan's return to the team) sent England out of the competition.

Coaching and managerial career

[edit]

In 1985, Mills became player-manager of Stoke City with Sammy Chung as his assistant. Mills joined Stoke with the club a very poor position having just been relegated from the First Division with a record low points tally and with little money available.[1] He set about trying to restore some pride into the support and began well as Stoke beat Leeds United 6–2 on the third match of the 1985–86. Money was still a major problem so the club sold Mark Chamberlain to Sheffield Wednesday for £300,000 but typical of the financial climate at Stoke the money was used to reduce the club's overdraft.[1] Results slowly improved and Stoke finished the season in 10th place in what was a season of recovery. More player sales followed in 1986–87 but the arrival of Peter Coates as chairman allowed for some new players to arrive most notably Lee Dixon, Nicky Morgan and former Ipswich teammate Brian Talbot.[1] Morale was boosted again thanks to another large win over Leeds United (7–2) as Stoke climbed up the table into the play-offs. However their form could not be maintained and they had to settle for 8th position.[1]

The 1987–88 season was frustrating for Stoke as little progress was made culminating in a finish of 11th. Further funds were raised by selling both Lee Dixon and Steve Bould to Arsenal.[1] The 1988–89 season again saw Stoke finish in mid-table which prompted speculation that Mills would not be offered a new contract. In the end he was given a 'final chance' to get Stoke promoted and he was given a £1 million transfer budget by Coates for the 1989–90 season.[1] He spent it all breaking the club's record transfer of £480,000 for Sheffield Wednesday defender Ian Cranson, £75,000 on Derek Statham from West Bromwich Albion, £175,000 for Ian Scott and £250,000 for Wayne Biggins both from Manchester City.[1] However, with Cranson only making 19 appearances in 1989–90 missing most of the campaign due to a knee injury, results were poor and with Stoke rock bottom and heading into the third tier for the first time since 1927 he was sacked in November 1989.[1]

The following year he agreed to become manager of Colchester United, who were adrift at the bottom of the league. Despite closing the gap Colchester failed to avoid relegation and Mills declined to stay on for the following season. Mills became chief scout for Sheffield Wednesday and then a coach and Assistant Manager at Birmingham City – at one point becoming caretaker manager after the dismissal of Trevor Francis.

Later career

[edit]

After a period of time as Technical Director of Galaxy Sports Management[10] Mills is now retired, but continues as a football summariser for BBC Radio Suffolk, which he continues to do to this day on match day live.

In 2010, Mills was named a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.[11]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[12]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[a] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ipswich Town 1965–66 Second Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
1966–67 Second Division 22 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 25 0
1967–68 Second Division 10 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
1968–69 First Division 36 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 37 2
1969–70 First Division 40 3 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 44 4
1970–71 First Division 42 1 6 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 50 2
1971–72 First Division 35 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 38 0
1972–73 First Division 42 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 8 0 54 0
1973–74 First Division 42 2 3 0 4 1 8 0 0 0 57 2
1974–75 First Division 42 1 9 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 56 2
1975–76 First Division 42 1 3 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 50 1
1976–77 First Division 37 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 42 0
1977–78 First Division 34 6 7 2 2 0 5 0 0 0 48 8
1978–79 First Division 42 2 5 1 1 0 6 0 1 0 55 3
1979–80 First Division 37 1 4 0 2 0 3 1 0 0 46 2
1980–81 First Division 33 0 6 0 5 0 10 0 0 0 54 0
1981–82 First Division 42 3 3 0 8 0 2 0 0 0 55 3
1982–83 First Division 11 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 15 0
Total 591 22 57 5 44 2 40 1 9 0 741 30
Southampton 1982–83 First Division 27 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 1
1983–84 First Division 34 2 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 41 2
1984–85 First Division 42 0 3 0 7 0 2 0 0 0 54 0
Total 103 3 10 0 8 0 2 0 0 0 123 3
Stoke City 1985–86 Second Division 31 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 37 0
1986–87 Second Division 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
1987–88 Second Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 38 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 44 0
Career total 730 25 68 5 60 2 42 1 11 0 911 33
  1. ^ Includes FA Charity Shield, Texaco Cup and Full Members Cup.

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[13]
National team Year Apps Goals
England 1972 1 0
1976 9 0
1977 3 0
1978 8 0
1979 7 0
1980 3 0
1981 4 0
1982 7 0
Total 42 0

Managerial statistics

[edit]
Managerial record by club and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Stoke City 24 June 1985 7 November 1989 213 72 63 78 033.8
Colchester United 3 January 1990 9 May 1990 24 8 3 13 033.3
Birmingham City 15 October 2001 12 December 2001 12 5 4 3 041.7
Total[14] 249 85 70 94 034.1

Honours

[edit]

As a player

[edit]

Ipswich Town

Southampton

Individual

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mick Mills

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Dennis "Mick" Mills MBE (born 4 January 1949) is an English former professional footballer and manager, renowned for his long and distinguished career as a versatile defender, primarily with Town, where he holds the club record for most appearances. He captained to major triumphs including the in 1978 and the Cup in 1981, while earning 42 caps for , including captaining the side at the . Born in , , Mills began his career on the groundstaff at before joining Ipswich Town as an amateur in August 1965 and turning professional in February 1966. Over 16 seasons with the Tractor Boys, he made 741 appearances across all competitions, scoring 22 league goals, and assumed the captaincy in January 1971, leading the team through a golden era under manager . Key highlights include winning the in 1973, reaching the FA Cup final in 1978 (which they won 1-0 against ), and securing the Cup in 1981 after notable victories such as against Real Madrid in 1973-74. He was named Ipswich Town Player of the Year in 1977-78 and selected for the PFA Division One Team of the Year in 1976-77. Mills' international debut came on 11 October 1972 against , and he went on to represent 42 times without scoring, featuring in the 1980 European Championship and captaining the team during the 1982 in , where his last match was a 0-0 draw with on 5 July 1982. After leaving in November 1982 for a £50,000 transfer to , he played 103 league games over three seasons, contributing to runners-up finishes in the First Division in 1983-84. In July 1985, he joined Stoke City as player-manager, appearing in 44 matches before focusing on management until his sacking in November 1989; he later managed Colchester United and held coaching roles at clubs like Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday. Awarded an MBE in January 1984 for services to football, Mills has since worked as a scout, media pundit, and ambassador for causes, including the Sir Foundation, while residing in the region he came to love during his tenure.

Early life

Birth and family background

Michael Dennis Mills, known as Mick Mills, was born on 4 January 1949 in , , . His birth was registered in South West in March of that year. Mills grew up in during his early childhood, spending the first 16 years of his life in the region before relocating to in 1965. Little is publicly documented about his family background or specific parental influences, though he began his exposure to football through schoolboy activities in the local area.

Youth and entry into professional football

Mick Mills began his organized football involvement as a schoolboy with , joining their groundstaff in the mid-1960s after leaving school. However, financial cutbacks led to abandon their youth and reserve teams in 1965, prompting Mills to seek opportunities elsewhere. In August 1965, at the age of 16, Mills moved to Ipswich Town as an amateur player, transitioning into their youth setup. He soon became an apprentice later that year, focusing on development in the club's reserve and youth teams while honing his skills as a defender. This period marked his formal entry into professional football structures, with training emphasizing tactical awareness and physical conditioning at . Mills signed his first professional contract with Ipswich Town in February 1966, securing his position as a full-back in the senior squad's orbit. His early development at the club occurred under manager , who prioritized building a robust pathway; this foundation later aligned with Bobby Robson's arrival in 1969, further refining his versatile defensive role through rigorous daily sessions and match preparation.

Club career

Ipswich Town

Mick Mills made his senior debut for Ipswich Town on 7 May 1966, in a 5-2 home league victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, at the age of 17. Initially appearing sporadically, he progressed to become a regular first-team player by the late , particularly after the club's promotion to the First Division in 1968, where he broke into the side during a September match against . Over his 16-year tenure from 1966 to 1982, Mills amassed a club-record 741 appearances, including 591 in the league, and scored 22 goals. Appointed in January 1971 following a fallout between manager and previous skipper Mick Baxter, Mills held the role for over a decade, providing steadfast defensive leadership as a versatile full-back who could also operate in midfield. He was ever-present in multiple seasons, anchoring a robust backline that contributed to high league finishes, including fourth place in 1972-73. Under his cy, Ipswich achieved major success, culminating in the 1978 victory with a 1-0 final win over , where Mills scored a crucial goal in the semi-final against West Bromwich Albion and lifted the trophy as the club's first major honour in 16 years. Mills further solidified his legacy by captaining Ipswich to the 1981 UEFA Cup triumph, defeating 5-3 on aggregate despite missing two matches due to ; he lifted the after the second leg at . His defensive contributions were pivotal in a compact of just 14 players navigating a grueling 66-match season under Robson. Mills' close professional relationship with Robson was built on mutual respect, with the manager's approachable style—always making time for players—fostering a cohesive team dynamic that emphasized fighting spirit and collective achievement during Ipswich's golden era. His consistent form at the club also earned him an call-up in 1972.

Southampton

Mick Mills joined Southampton from Ipswich Town in November 1982 for a transfer fee of £50,000, a move prompted by Ipswich's financial difficulties that necessitated the sale of key assets. The transfer was facilitated by Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy, who targeted Mills for his proven leadership and defensive expertise to bolster the squad during a transitional phase in the First Division. Over the next three seasons until 1985, Mills made 103 league appearances for , scoring three goals, and played a pivotal role in maintaining the club's top-flight status. His arrival midway through the 1982–83 campaign helped solidify the defense, contributing to a 12th-place finish that ensured survival amid a competitive relegation battle. In the following 1983–84 season, Mills featured in all 42 league matches, supporting the team's surprising runner-up position behind and highlighting his enduring reliability. Mills adapted seamlessly under McMenemy's management, which emphasized experienced players to implement a balanced tactical approach blending defensive resilience with counter-attacking flair. His tenacious tackling and precise positional play provided stability to a backline undergoing changes, allowing younger teammates to thrive while McMenemy navigated the club's ambitions in a evolving top division.

Stoke City

Mick Mills was appointed as player-manager of Stoke City in May 1985, shortly after the club's relegation from the First Division under his predecessor Bill Asprey. With the team facing financial limitations and declining attendances averaging around 10,700, Mills' initial role involved both playing and coaching, supported by assistant , as he aimed to stabilize the squad in the Second Division. He gradually phased out his playing duties, appearing in 38 league matches before focusing fully on management. In his first season, 1985–86, Mills guided Stoke to a solid 10th-place finish, consolidating their position with a young squad and minimal transfer spending, highlighted by a 6–2 home victory over United. The 1986–87 campaign marked his most promising promotion push, as Stoke surged to fourth in the table by mid-season through an attacking style that emphasized pace and goal-scoring from forwards like Carl Saunders and , who formed a dynamic partnership and contributed to memorable wins such as 7–2 against and 6–0 in the over Town. However, injuries and a late-season slump, including a three-game , saw them drop to eighth, missing promotion and exiting the in the fifth round against Coventry City. Subsequent seasons reflected ongoing Second Division struggles, with mid-table finishes in 1987–88 (12th) and 1988–89 (14th), as Mills managed a budget-constrained squad featuring emerging talents like Graham Shaw, Chris Hemmings, and a young , signed for £40,000 from Bury. His tactical approach prioritized squad development over expensive acquisitions, fostering a resilient unit despite economic pressures from low crowds and limited funds. In 1989–90, granted a £1 million transfer budget for a final promotion attempt, Stoke instead faltered with a poor start, culminating in Mills' dismissal in November after a 6–0 defeat to Swindon Town; his overall record stood at 72 wins, 63 draws, and 78 losses in 213 matches.

International career

Early international appearances

Mick Mills made his England debut on 11 October 1972 in a 1–1 friendly draw against at , under manager . Playing as a right-back, Mills impressed in his first international outing alongside established teammates, marking the beginning of his 42 caps for the national team. Despite this promising start, Ramsey did not select him again, leading to a three-year absence from the squad. Mills earned a recall in March 1976 under , featuring in a 2–1 friendly victory over in . This resurgence saw him accumulate further appearances through the remainder of the 1970s, including key matches such as the 4–0 win against in May 1976 and the 2–1 defeat to later that year. His consistent performances at Ipswich Town, where he was a reliable defender, contributed to his re-establishment in the setup. By the end of the decade, Mills had become a fixture in Ron Greenwood's side, participating in crucial qualifiers for the 1978 World Cup and 1980 European Championship, such as the 2–0 win over in October 1977 and the 5–0 victory against in March 1977. Often partnering with Hughes in defense or midfield during these games, he helped navigate competitive European ties, though the team failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup; however, they did qualify for the 1980 European Championship, in which Mills featured, playing in the 2–1 win over on 18 June 1980. As a defender throughout his international career, Mills scored zero goals across his 42 caps, which he completed by 1982.

Captaincy and 1982 World Cup

In 1982, under manager , Mick Mills was appointed captain of the national team for the in , stepping in after suffered an injury that ruled him out of the tournament. Mills, then 33 and playing as a right-back for , had previously served as stand-in captain on three occasions and was selected ahead of contenders including , , , and . This marked the pinnacle of his leadership role with , as he led the side in all five matches despite the temporary nature of the appointment. England's campaign began strongly in the first group stage, with Mills captaining the team to victories over (3-1 on 16 June), (2-0 on 20 June), and (1-0 on 25 June), securing top spot in Group 4. Progressing to the second group stage (), England drew 0-0 with on 29 June and 0-0 with on 5 July, finishing second behind West Germany and thus eliminated without advancing to the semi-finals. Throughout the , Mills' leadership contributed to a robust defensive performance, with England conceding just one goal—the early penalty against —and maintaining clean sheets in the remaining four matches. Reflecting on the campaign, Mills praised the defensive organization, noting the team's tightness and effective set-piece preparations that aided key moments like Bryan Robson's early goal against . He expressed regret over the second-group format, believing a straight knockout structure would have propelled further, potentially to the final against . Mills captained a total of eight times across his international career, with the five World Cup appearances forming the majority; his overall 42 caps for , all without scoring, ended with the tournament as he departed for later that year.

Managerial career

Stoke City

Mick Mills was appointed as player-manager of Stoke City in May 1985, shortly after the club's relegation from the First Division under his predecessor Bill Asprey. With the team facing financial limitations and declining attendances averaging around 10,700, Mills' initial role involved both playing and coaching, supported by assistant , as he aimed to stabilize the squad in the Second Division. He gradually phased out his playing duties, appearing in 38 league matches before focusing fully on management. In his first season, 1985–86, Mills guided Stoke to a solid 10th-place finish, consolidating their position with a young squad and minimal transfer spending, highlighted by a 6–2 home victory over United. The 1986–87 campaign marked his most promising promotion push, as Stoke surged to fourth in the table by mid-season through an attacking style that emphasized pace and goal-scoring from forwards like Carl Saunders and , who formed a dynamic partnership and contributed to memorable wins such as 7–2 against and 6–0 in the over Town. However, injuries and a late-season slump, including a three-game , saw them drop to eighth, missing promotion and exiting the in the fifth round against City. Subsequent seasons reflected ongoing Second Division struggles, with mid-table finishes in 1987–88 (11th) and 1988–89 (13th), as Mills managed a budget-constrained squad featuring emerging talents like Graham Shaw, Chris Hemmings, and a young , signed for £40,000 from Bury. His tactical approach prioritized squad development over expensive acquisitions, fostering a resilient unit despite economic pressures from low crowds and limited funds. In 1989–90, granted a £1 million transfer budget for a final promotion attempt, Stoke instead faltered with a poor start, culminating in Mills' dismissal in November after a 6–0 defeat to Swindon Town; his overall record stood at 72 wins, 63 draws, and 78 losses in 213 matches.

Colchester United

Mick Mills was appointed manager of Colchester United on 3 January 1990, succeeding the caretaker Steve Foley and marking his return to management after a brief hiatus following his dismissal from Stoke City in November 1989. The appointment, orchestrated by chairman Jonathan Crisp, represented a bold move to install the former England captain and Ipswich Town stalwart at the helm of a Fourth Division side languishing near the foot of the table. Mills' tenure focused on efforts to stabilize the ailing team, including tactical adjustments and reorganization amid severe resource limitations that hampered and development. His first match in charge resulted in a 0–1 home defeat to Stockport County on 5 January 1990, setting a tone of struggle as grappled with mounting defeats and the weight of fan expectations for survival. Over 25 games, results remained inconsistent, with the side unable to climb clear of danger despite occasional positive performances, ultimately underscoring the depth of the club's predicament in the lower leagues. Mills resigned on 9 May 1990, immediately after Colchester's relegation to the Conference was confirmed following a rock-bottom finish in the Fourth Division and a 1–2 home loss to in his final match on 5 May. The brief spell highlighted the intense challenges of managing a resource-strapped outfit on the brink of , where limited budgets and high-stakes pressure proved insurmountable.

Birmingham City

Mick Mills assumed the role of joint at Birmingham City alongside Jim Barron on 15 October 2001, following Trevor Francis's departure by mutual consent after a 3–1 away win over two days earlier. Mills, who had joined the club as a coach and risen to assistant manager under Francis, stepped in to provide interim during a period of uncertainty for the mid-table First Division side. Drawing briefly on his prior managerial experience at Stoke City, Mills emphasized team stability and consistency in his approach. During their eight-week tenure, Mills and Barron oversaw 12 league fixtures, delivering a mixed but ultimately stabilizing performance that kept Birmingham in contention for a promotion push. The pair guided the team to five wins, four draws, and three losses, with notable successes including a 4–0 home victory over Bradford City on 20 October—marked by Marcelo's —and another 4–0 home win against Norwich City on 8 December, featuring a . These results, alongside draws against strong sides like Forest and , helped the Blues accumulate points and climb towards the upper echelons of the table, though defeats to Grimsby Town, West Bromwich Albion, and Sheffield United highlighted ongoing challenges. The interim nature of the role limited Mills and Barron's scope for long-term changes, with their efforts focused on maintaining momentum rather than overhauling tactics or squad dynamics. Their stint concluded swiftly on 12 December 2001, when was appointed as permanent manager, allowing Birmingham to build on the foundation laid during the caretaker period en route to a fifth-place finish and playoff success that season.

Later career

Media and broadcasting roles

Following the end of his managerial career in 1990, Mick Mills transitioned into media work, drawing on his extensive experience as Ipswich Town's record appearance holder and captain. He has served as a match summariser and co-commentator for BBC Radio Suffolk, providing expert analysis on Ipswich Town games and broader Suffolk football coverage. Mills' role with BBC Radio Suffolk began in the 1990s and involved detailed post-match breakdowns, often alongside commentator Brenner Woolley, contributing to the station's long-standing commitment to local football . He covered home and away fixtures extensively, offering insights into tactics, player performances, and club history, which enriched coverage for fans during Ipswich's various league campaigns. For instance, in the 2002-2003 season, he attended every game before briefly stepping down, only to resume his contributions in subsequent years, continuing to provide analysis as of 2025. In addition to his regular local duties, Mills made occasional guest appearances on national media. He provided expert analysis as a pundit on BBC's Match of the Day in 1993, discussing Premier League matches during a single episode of the flagship programme.

Charitable and ambassadorial work

Mick Mills has been actively involved in charitable efforts related to football and health causes since his retirement from playing. In 2010, he was appointed as Suffolk's patron and ambassador for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, a charity established to fund cancer research and treatment within the NHS. In this role, Mills has organized fundraising events in Suffolk to support the foundation's initiatives, drawing on his connections from his time as captain under Sir Bobby Robson at Ipswich Town. The foundation, linked to Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity, has raised significant funds for cancer detection and treatment projects, with Mills contributing to milestones such as the £7 million mark in 2014 and ongoing efforts that reached £20 million by September 2025 to fund a new cancer institute. His ambassadorship emphasizes community engagement in , promoting awareness and participation in the charity's goals. In recognition of his ongoing services to sport and charity, he received an honorary doctorate from University Campus Suffolk in October 2013. After his managerial roles, Mills also worked as a chief scout for Sheffield Wednesday in the and held other scouting positions.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Mick Mills amassed 732 appearances and 25 goals in league competitions throughout his club career, primarily as a reliable defender known for his consistency and leadership on the field. His league record underscores his longevity, with the majority of his contributions coming during Town's successful era under , where he helped secure promotion to the First Division in 1971 and subsequent top-flight stability. At Ipswich Town from 1966 to 1982, Mills made 591 league appearances and scored 22 goals, establishing himself as the club's all-time appearance leader with 741 total outings and 30 goals across all competitions, including domestic cups and European ties. During this period, he featured prominently in the UEFA Cup, logging 36 appearances and 1 goal, helping Ipswich win the 1981 final against AZ Alkmaar. Mills joined in November 1982, contributing 103 league appearances and 3 goals over three seasons in the First Division, with a total of 123 appearances and 3 goals in all competitions, including 10 ties and 8 matches. He then moved to Stoke City as player-manager in 1985, adding 38 league appearances without scoring in the Second Division, alongside approximately 6 cup appearances for a career-ending total of around 44 games at the club.
ClubYearsLeague DivisionLeague Apps/GoalsTotal Apps/Goals (All Comps)
Ipswich Town1966–1982Second/First591/22741/30
1982–1985First103/3123/3
Stoke City1985–1987Second38/044/0
Career Total732/25908/33

International statistics

Mick Mills earned 42 caps for the national team from 1972 to 1982, during which he scored no goals. His international career encompassed a variety of competitions, including friendlies, the , the US Bicentennial Cup, qualifiers, qualifiers, the finals, and the finals. Specifically, he made 8 appearances in friendlies, 12 in the , 2 in the US Bicentennial Cup, 8 in qualifiers, 6 in qualifiers, 1 in the finals, and 5 in the finals. Mills captained on 8 occasions, including his first time on 13 May 1978 against and all five group stage matches at the 1978 and the . The following table details all of Mills' international appearances, listing the date, opponent, final score (England's goals listed first), type, and whether he served as captain (based on verified records).
DateOpponentScoreCaptain
11 Oct 19721–1FriendlyNo
24 Mar 19762–1FriendlyNo
8 May 19761–0No
11 May 19764–0No
15 May 19761–2No
23 May 19760–1FriendlyNo
28 May 19763–2US Bicentennial CupNo
31 May 1976Team America3–1US Bicentennial CupNo
13 Jun 19764–1 QualifierNo
13 Oct 19762–1 QualifierNo
16 Nov 19760–2 QualifierNo
28 May 19772–1No
31 May 19770–1No
4 Jun 19771–2No
21 Feb 19781–2FriendlyNo
19 Apr 19781–1FriendlyNo
13 May 19783–1Yes
16 May 19781–0Yes
20 May 19781–0Yes
24 May 19784–1FriendlyNo
20 Sep 19784–3 QualifierNo
25 Oct 19781–1 QualifierNo
7 Feb 19794–0 QualifierNo
19 May 19792–0No
26 May 19793–1No
6 Jun 19793–0 QualifierNo
13 Jun 19793–4FriendlyNo
12 Sep 19791–0 QualifierNo
17 Oct 19795–1 QualifierNo
26 Mar 19802–0FriendlyNo
18 Jun 19802–1 FinalsNo
19 Nov 19802–1 QualifierNo
30 May 19811–2 QualifierNo
5 Jun 19813–1 QualifierNo
9 Sep 19811–2 QualifierNo
17 Nov 19811–0 QualifierNo
29 May 19821–0No
2 Jun 19824–1FriendlyNo
16 Jun 1982France3–1 FinalsYes
20 Jun 19822–0 FinalsYes
25 Jun 19821–0 FinalsYes
29 Jun 19820–0 FinalsYes
5 Jul 19820–0 FinalsYes

Managerial statistics

Mick Mills managed three clubs during his coaching career, amassing an overall record of 86 wins, 70 draws, and 94 losses across 250 competitive matches, yielding a points-per-game average of approximately 1.28.
ClubTenureGamesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Notes on League Positions and Cups
Stoke City24 Jun 1985 – 7 Nov 198921473637834.11Mid-table in Second Division (10th 1985–86, 8th 1986–87, 11th 1987–88, 13th 1988–89); dismissed mid-1989–90 (team finished 24th, relegated); no major cup progress beyond early rounds.
United3 Jan 1990 – 9 May 199024831333.33Took over mid-1989–90 Fourth Division season; team finished 24th (43 points) and relegated to ; exited first round and second round.
Birmingham City15 Oct 2001 – 12 Dec 2001 (joint caretaker)1254341.67Stabilized mid-table position in First Division during interim; team overall finished 5th (76 points) and promoted via ; no cups reached under tenure.
Mills' spells emphasized defensive solidity at Stoke, where the team avoided relegation for four seasons despite limited resources, but struggles with consistency ultimately led to departures at all clubs.

Honours and awards

As a player

Mick Mills achieved significant team success during his playing career at Ipswich Town, where he served as captain for much of the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1973, he led the team to victory in the , defeating Newcastle United 4–2 on aggregate in the final. In 1978, he captained the team to victory in the , defeating 1–0 in the final at , marking Ipswich's first major trophy in 16 years. Three years later, in 1981, Mills captained Ipswich to the Cup title, overcoming 5–4 on aggregate across the two-legged final, with a 3–0 home win followed by a 4–2 away defeat. These triumphs highlighted the club's golden era under manager , during which Mills made over 700 appearances. At , where Mills played from November 1982 to July 1985, the team achieved strong finishes in the First Division: 12th in 1982–83, runners-up in 1983–84, and 5th in 1984–85—but did not win any major honours during his tenure. Among individual playing awards, Mills was selected for the in the First Division for the 1976–77 season, recognizing his defensive contributions at right-back. He also earned Ipswich Town's Player of the Year award in 1977–78.

Individual recognitions

In 1984, Mills was appointed Member of the (MBE) in the for his services to . His remarkable longevity with Town, where he made a club-record 741 appearances over 17 years from 1966 to 1982, was formally acknowledged through his induction into the Ipswich Town Hall of Fame in 2007 as part of the inaugural cohort. Post-retirement recognitions include tributes marking personal milestones, such as a 2022 feature by the East Anglian Daily Times celebrating his 73rd birthday with archival images highlighting his iconic career.

References

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