Danny Mills
Personal information
Full name Daniel John Mills[1]
Date of birth (1977-05-18) 18 May 1977[2]
Place of birth Norwich, England
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Right-back
Youth career
1993–1994 Norwich City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1998 Norwich City 66 (0)
1998–1999 Charlton Athletic 45 (3)
1999–2004 Leeds United 101 (3)
2003–2004 → Middlesbrough (loan) 28 (0)
2004–2009 Manchester City 51 (1)
2006 → Hull City (loan) 9 (0)
2007 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 19 (0)
2008 → Derby County (loan) 2 (0)
Total 321 (7)
International career
1994–1995 England U18 2 (0)
1998–2000 England U21 14 (3)
2001–2004 England 19 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Daniel John Mills (born 18 May 1977) is an English former professional footballer best known for his time at Leeds United. His main position was right-back, though he could also play as a centre-back. He retired in 2009 from the game at the age of 32 due to an ongoing knee injury.[3]

He earned 19 caps for the England national team and was starting right-back in the five games that England played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He was part of the Leeds team that reached the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League Semi-final.

Club career

Early career

Mills began his career with Norwich City after coming through their youth system. He was unable to establish a regular place in the side and moved to Charlton Athletic in March 1998 and helped them win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, playing in their dramatic win over Sunderland in the play-off final, winning 7–6 on penalties after a 4–4 draw. Not many people are aware, but Danny was an extremely keen tap dancer. He competed in the 1987 British National tournament that was held at Blackpool Tower.

Leeds United

In June 1999, Mills signed for Leeds United in a £4.1 million transfer.[4] He played a part in helping Leeds reach the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League Semi-final. Mills' Champions League debut came in Leeds' 4–0 defeat by Barcelona at the Camp Nou.[5]

Mills spent the 2003–04 season on loan at Middlesbrough, where he played in the 2004 Football League Cup final to help Middlesbrough to their first ever major trophy.[6]

Following relegation from the Premier League at the end of 2003–04, Leeds could no longer afford to retain Mills' services, and he moved to Manchester City on a free transfer in the close season, signing a five-year contract.[7] As part of his severance package with Leeds, Mills continued to receive part of his wages from the Yorkshire club for the duration of his original Leeds contract.[8] Mills often said that he would've liked to go back to Leeds again (along with Olivier Dacourt), but this never materialised. Mills has been seen at Leeds games with his son after the club's relegation to the Football League Championship.

Manchester City

Mills made his Manchester City debut in the opening fixture of the 2004–05 season, a 1–1 draw against Fulham at the City of Manchester Stadium.[9] He started the majority of matches in his first season at Manchester City, but was dropped from the first team when Stuart Pearce replaced Kevin Keegan as manager in March 2005.[10] He regained his place for the start of the 2005–06 season, and on 2 October 2005, he scored his first and only goal for Manchester City, a powerful shot from 25 yards (23 m) against Everton.[11] One month later, he sustained a shin injury which resulted in a fifteen-game absence.[12] The injury coincided with the emergence of Micah Richards who deposed him as first choice right-back; after Richards made his debut, Mills made only five further first team appearances in the remainder of the season.

On 14 September 2006 he joined Hull City in a two-month loan deal. He returned to Manchester City in January and was on the verge of being sent on loan to Hull City again or Leeds United, but a decision was made to keep him at City. Following the appointment of Sven-Göran Eriksson as Manchester City manager, Mills was transfer listed for loan. He re-joined former club Charlton on a loan deal until the end of 2007.[13]

He joined Premier League strugglers Derby County on loan, in January 2008 until 2 May. However, he was injured in only his second game for the Rams, returning to City shortly after. On 1 July 2009, he was released by Manchester City after his contract finally expired. On 7 August 2009 Mills announced his retirement from all football during an appearance on BBC Five Live.

International career

Following a series of impressive performances for Leeds United, Mills received his first England callup in 2001, making his international debut on 25 May 2001, as a substitute in a friendly against Mexico at Pride Park. His first England start came on 27 March 2002 in a friendly against Italy. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Mills was chosen as England's first choice right-back following an injury to Gary Neville, and he played every minute of England's five matches.

Outside football

Mills is a patron of Shine (formerly the Association for Spina Bifida And Hydrocephalus),[14] and has raised money for the charity since the death of his son Archie from the condition in 2002.[15][16] He has also appeared on BBC Five Live's Fighting Talk. Mills now acts as a regular pundit and commentator (often alongside Alan Green) for BBC Radio Five Live's coverage of the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and England national football team matches. He also works as a pundit on talkSPORT.

In 2010, he competed in the Brighton Marathon in a wheelchair to raise money for Shine and the National Association of Disabled Supporters, completing the race in two hours, 43 minutes.[17]

Mills was a runner up, along with Michael Underwood, on the 2012 series of Celebrity MasterChef. He was beaten by Emma Kennedy in a closely contested final.

In 2016, he ran the London Marathon for The Bobby Moore Fund, finishing in a time of 3hours 14mins 46secs.... he had previously run the Yorkshire Marathon for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal in 3hours 17mins.

Personal life

His son George Mills won the 1500 metres British title in athletics.[18] His younger son Stanley is a professional footballer for Everton[19] and is currently on a season-long loan at Oxford United.[20]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Norwich City 1995–96 First Division 1400031—171
1996–97[21] First Division 3201020—350
1997–98[22] First Division 2001000—210
Total 6602051—731
Charlton Athletic 1997–98[22] First Division 91——2[lower-alpha 1]0111
1998–99[23] Premier League 3621030—402
Total 453103020513
Leeds United 1999–2000[24] Premier League 17110112[lower-alpha 2]0212
2000–01[25] Premier League 230100016[lower-alpha 3]0400
2001–02[26] Premier League 28110208[lower-alpha 2]0391
2002–03[27] Premier League 33140103[lower-alpha 2]0411
Total 101370412901414
Middlesbrough (loan) 2003–04[28] Premier League 2802070—370
Manchester City 2004–05[29] Premier League 3201020—350
2005–06[30] Premier League 1810000—181
2006–07[31] Premier League 100000—10
Total 5111020—541
Hull City (loan) 2006–07[31] Championship 90———90
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2007–08[32] Championship 190—00—190
Derby County (loan) 2007–08[32] Premier League 2010——30
Career total 32171402123103879
  1. ↑ Appearances in the First Division play-offs
  2. 1 2 3 Appearances in the UEFA Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in the UEFA Champions League

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 200130
2002100
200350
200410
Total190

Honours

Charlton Athletic

Middlesbrough

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 60. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  2. 1 2 "Danny Mills". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Mills opts to end playing career". BBC Sport. 7 August 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  4. ↑ "Leeds United: Let's enjoy it while we can says former defender Danny Mills".
  5. ↑ "Charlton to sell Mills for GBP 4.1 m". Evening Standard. London. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2007.
  6. ↑ "Boro lift Carling Cup". BBC. 29 February 2004. Retrieved 29 March 2007.
  7. ↑ "Keegan delighted with Mills signing". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  8. ↑ "£7m consolation for missing out on promotion – Leeds still moving in right direction, says Bates". Professional Footballers' Association. Archived from the original on 20 October 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  9. ↑ James, Gary (2006). Manchester City – The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. ISBN 1-85983-512-0. p. 476
  10. ↑ "Pearce salutes Mills attitude". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  11. ↑ "Man City 2–0 Everton". BBC Sport. 2 October 2005. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  12. ↑ "City: Mills will fight youth brigade". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  13. ↑ "Mills deal done". Charlton Athletic F.C. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 August 2007.
  14. ↑ "Footballer Danny Mills praises new Helpline". ASBAH. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  15. ↑ "Footy stars team up for Danny boy". icCoventry. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  16. ↑ "Mills in defence of stars". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  17. ↑ Laura Bowyer (21 October 2009). "Leeds United: Ex-player's wheelchair challenge".
  18. ↑ "Danny and George Mills – like father, like son". British Athletics Weekly. 23 June 2018.
  19. ↑ "Player profiles Stanley Mills". Everton F.C. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "Stanley Mills Signs for Oxford". Oxford United F.C. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  21. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  22. 1 2 "Games played by Danny Mills in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  23. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  24. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  25. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  26. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  27. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  28. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Danny Mills in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  31. 1 2 "Games played by Danny Mills in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  32. 1 2 "Games played by Danny Mills in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
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