Johnny Mullins

Johnny Mullins

Mullins playing for Oxford United in 2014
Personal information
Full nameJohn Christopher Mullins[1]
Date of birth6 November 1985[1]
Place of birthHampstead, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Oxford United
Number5
Youth career
–2004Reading
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2004–2006Reading0(0)
2004–2005→ Kidderminster Harriers (loan)21(2)
2005–2006→ Kidderminster Harriers (loan)25(2)
2006–2008Mansfield Town83(4)
2008–2010Stockport County69(4)
2010–2013Rotherham United99(7)
2012→ Oxford United (loan)8(2)
2013–Oxford United64(5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:38, 8 February 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

John Christopher "Johnny" Mullins (born 6 November 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays for Oxford United. Mullins is a versatile defender, who usually plays in the centre-back position.

Career

Reading

Born in Hampstead, London,[1] Mullins came up through the youth system at Reading and captained the reserve team but did not graduate to the first team. This resulted in him being consecutively loaned out.[2][3]

Kidderminster Harriers (loan)

He was loaned out to Kidderminster Harriers for two seasons in a row, and it proved to be a very successful time for him there. He made 50 appearances in all competitions. He also collected a player of the season award.

Mansfield Town

At the end of the 2005–06 season, he was released by Reading and joined Mansfield on a two-year contract.[4] He immediately established himself in the first team and made 48 appearances in the 2006–07 season, scoring two goals.[5] In the 2007–08 season, Mullins was described by manager Billy Dearden as the most improved player in League Two[6] and won Mansfield's Player of the Season award.[7] After Mansfield Town were relegated to the Football Conference at the end of the 2007–08 season, he was out of contract and turned down the offer of a new contract, saying that he wanted to stay in the Football League.[8]

Stockport County

In June 2008, he joined Stockport County on a two-year deal, with Stockport paying Mansfield compensation.[9] Mullins started strongly at his new club, playing more often in a central defensive position due to Stockport's shortages in that area. Despite often not playing in his favoured position, he impressed, and became the club's vice-captain after a falling out between manager Jim Gannon and club captain Gareth Owen.[10] Mullins captained Stockport on several occasions after injuries to Michael Raynes.

Rotherham United

In 2010 he signed with Rotherham United.[11] He featured consistently in the starting line up, and his defensive performances throughout the duration of his time at the club impressed the fans, resulting in his claiming the 2011–12 MillersMAD player of the year award. Due to him moving away from the area to be closer to his family, he was travelling hours everyday to training and matchdays, only to be frustrated at not playing. This, along with other defensive options, resulted in Mullins being able to leave, thus resulting in him being loaned out to the Kassam Stadium, home of Oxford United. Upon his return, and reconciliation with manager Steve Evans, Mullins was made captain of the club, and was one of the inspirations behind Rotherham's automatic promotion to League One after beating Aldershot 2–0 on 27 April 2013, and helping the side to win their last five games to achieve their goal.

Oxford United (loan)

On 5 October 2012 he was loaned to fellow League Two side Oxford United for three months. He made his debut in a 0–0 home draw against Gillingham on 6 October.[12]

Oxford United

Mullins playing for Oxford United in 2013

On 23 July, he joined League Two side Oxford United on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[13] He scored his first goal for Oxford in a 2–1 win over Bury on 10 August 2013.[14] Mullins went on to score a 90th-minute equaliser against Wycombe and a vital equaliser away to Cheltenham. After his original loan spell he had already become a fans' favourite, but 9 games into the season he had been given the nickname "Magnet Man" by the players and fans, a nod towards his ability in the opposition box.

Personal life

In summer 2008, he graduated from Staffordshire University with a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting.[15] His sister, Geena Mullins, is a glamour model who has appeared in magazines including Zoo Weekly.[16]

Honours

Rotherham United

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 299. ISBN 9-781845-966010.
  2. ↑ "Johnny Mullins profile". Mansfield Town F.C. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  3. ↑ "John Mullins". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  4. ↑ "Field Mill move for ex-Royals man". BBC Sport. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  5. ↑ "Games played by John Mullins in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
  6. ↑ "High praise for Mullins". Mansfield Chad. 5 February 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  7. ↑ "Mullins win SSA Player of the season". Mansfield Town F.C. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  8. ↑ Lomas, John (19 May 2008). "Mullins rejects new Stags deal". Mansfield Chad. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
  9. ↑ "Mullins agrees deal". Stockport County F.C. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
  10. ↑ "Gannon wants Owen Apology". Manchester Evening News. 1 October 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2009.
  11. ↑ "Rotherham United capture defender Johnny Mullins". BBC Sport. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  12. ↑ "Oxford United sign Rotherham defender Johnny Mullins on loan". BBC Sport. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  13. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23408834
  14. ↑ "Oxford 2–1 Bury". BBC Sport. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Hats off to our super students". GiveMeSport. 6 October 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  16. ↑ "Introducing Geena Mullins!". Zoo Weekly. Retrieved 20 April 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Johnny Mullins.