Matt Mills

Matt Mills

Mills playing for Leicester City
Personal information
Full nameMatthew Claude Mills
Date of birth14 July 1986
Place of birthLeicester, England
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Playing positionCentre Back
Club information
Current team
Bolton Wanderers
Number4
Youth career
?–2003Southampton
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2006Southampton4(0)
2004→ Coventry City (loan)4(0)
2005→ Bournemouth (loan)12(3)
2006–2008Manchester City2(0)
2007→ Colchester United (loan)9(0)
2007→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)14(2)
2008→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)23(1)
2008–2009Doncaster Rovers41(0)
2009–2011Reading61(4)
2011–2012Leicester City25(1)
2012–Bolton Wanderers87(6)
National team‡
2004England U181(0)
2004–2005England U198(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:51, 15 April 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 May 2011

Matthew Claude "Matt" Mills (born 14 July 1986) is an English footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers as a defender. His younger brother Joseph Mills plays for Oldham Athletic, on loan from Burnley. He has also represented England side's at various age levels. He is also a former player of Reading and captain of Leicester City.

Club career

Southampton and Manchester City

Born in Leicester, Leicestershire,[1] the promising England U19 defender signed for Manchester City from Southampton on a three-and-a-half-year deal in January 2006. Mills linked up again with City reserve manager Steve Wigley, who worked with the youngster during his spell in charge of Southampton's Academy. Mills displayed his potential during a handful of Championship appearances for the south-coast club, whilst also enjoying loan spells at Bournemouth and Coventry City. On 26 January 2007, he joined Colchester United on loan,[2] returning in April.

Doncaster Rovers

On 17 August 2007, Mills joined Doncaster Rovers on a six-month loan deal, linking up with manager Sean O'Driscoll for a second time in his career. He had his loan spell cut short on 21 November 2007, but he then rejoined Doncaster on loan following his spell out through injury and stayed at the South Yorkshire club for the rest of the season. He was part of the starting eleven which won promotion to the Championship, beating Leeds United at Wembley Stadium in the League One play-off Final in May 2008.

He expressed his desire to join Doncaster Rovers after winning promotion at Wembley and was expected to sign in the close season. After two months of speculation about his future, and his move to Doncaster Rovers in doubt after a change of manager at Manchester City, he was eventually unveiled as Doncaster Rovers' record signing when he signed a three-year contract with Doncaster on 30 July 2008.[3] Doncaster Rovers paid £300,000 for his services which smashed the club's transfer record, previously set with the signing of James Hayter for £200,000 in 2007. On signing permanently for Doncaster Rovers, Mills was given the number 5 shirt which had been vacated by the departure of Graeme Lee; Mills had previously worn number 22 when he was on loan with the club.

In the summer of 2009, Mills had attracted the interest of a number of bigger clubs including Birmingham City and Newcastle United. However on 10 June 2009, Nottingham Forest put in an offer of £2,000,000 for Mills which was rejected by Doncaster Rovers.[4] A subsequent offer from fellow Championship side Reading was accepted, however, and Mills left Doncaster in August 2009.

Reading

Mills playing for Leicester City against Cardiff City.

On 5 August 2009, Mills was officially unveiled as a Reading player, signing a three-year contract under Brendan Rogers. The exact transfer fee was left undisclosed, however the transfer fee is believed to be somewhere in the region of £2,000,000.[5] Mills made his debut for Reading in a 0–0 draw against Swansea City on 18 August 2009.[6]

After Reading 1–0 win in March 2010 against Q.P.R., Mills was seen making an apparent obscene gesture to his own supporters, to which Mills apologised for.[7] Manager Brian McDermott put the situation down due to passion, and that Mills actions wouldn't dampen the players relationship with his supporters and described Mills form as 'inspirational'.[8] During the 2009–10 season, Mills appeared in 30 matches and scored two goals in all competitions for Reading.

Mills started the 2010–11 season in goalscoring fashion, scoring twice in the League Cup 2nd Round 3–3 draw against Northampton Town, before scoring the winner in a 2–1 win away at Leicester City just 3 days later, where he also made a last-ditch goal line clearance, ensuring the Man of the Match award.

On 1 March 2011, Mills scored the winning goal against Everton in a 1–0 victory to take Reading through to the FA Cup Quarter-finals.[9]

After a surging run, Reading qualified for the playoffs. On 30 May 2011, in the Championship play-off Final against Swansea, Mills skippered the Royals and scored a header from a corner kick on 57 minutes and got booked in their 4–2 defeat at Wembley Stadium and he also completed the full 90 minutes.

Leicester City

Mills in a league match against Cardiff City on 25 September 2011.

On 7 July 2011, Mills signed a four-year contract with Leicester City for an undisclosed fee, and was later confirmed as club captain for the 2011–12 season,[10] reuniting with his former Manchester City manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson.[11] Mills had rejected an offer from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers to join Leicester[12] and he was selected by Ian Stringer of BBC Radio Leicester as the club's key player for the 2011–12 season, describing him as a "solid centre half".[12]

He made his league debut in a 1–0 win over Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on 6 August 2011,[13] On 16 October, Mills was sent off in the 55th minute of a 2–0 defeat at Birmingham City for a two-footed tackle on Morgaro Gomis.[14] and he was sent off again 6 weeks later against Hull City for a professional foul on Aaron McLean.[15] He scored his only goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Southampton at St Mary's Stadium on 24 January 2012.[16]

In February 2012, reports surfaced of an alleged bust up with new manager Nigel Pearson,[17] which Mills denied.[18] He then lost the captaincy and was relegated to training with the club's youth academy.[18][19] He did not travel for the 1–0 victory against Derby County on 23 February 2012, which prompted questions over his future at the club.[19] Mills was later informed by phone that he was allowed to leave Leicester.[18] But despite being linked with league rivals Leeds United and West Ham United,[20] Mills refused to leave on loan as it would have been "very disrespectful for the fans".[18] Though this move away from the club did not materialise, he ultimately never played for the club again.

Bolton Wanderers

On 4 July 2012, Mills signed a three-year contract with Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.[21] Upon joining the club, Mills said, "This deal has worked out perfectly for me, mainly because Bolton are a fantastic club. Speaking to the manager, I have got the vibe of what the place and club is about and the ambitions of getting back into the Premier League."[22] Mills made his debut for the club in a 2–0 home victory over Derby County on 21 August.[23] He scored his first goal on 15 September, in a 2–1 win against Watford.[24] He picked up an upper thigh injury which ruled him out for 4–5 months. Upon return from injury Mills was unable to reclaim his starting position due to the form of Craig Dawson, Tim Ream and Zat Knight who had all occupied the centre back position in his absence.[25]

On 2 April 2013 he made his first appearance for the club since his injury against Huddersfield Town on 8 December 2012 coming on as a 90th minute substitute for goalscorer Chris Eagles to ensure a 1–0 victory against Huddersfield Town.

In July 2013, after being linked with a move to Leeds United to reunite with his former Reading manager Brian McDermott, Bolton manager Dougie Freedman confirmed that Leeds had made an inquiry about the availability of Mills. Freedman stated that he would like Mills to stay at the club but if Mills wanted to leave he would let him go provided the right offer came in.[26][27]

Mills won his place back in the side and partnered either David Wheater and Tim Ream. Mills was named as vice captain to Jay Spearing for the 2014/15 season.[28]

International career

Mills has represented England at England under-18 and England under-19 level. Mills was also called up for England under-21's.

Personal life

Mills went to school at Bradon Forest Secondary School in Purton, Wiltshire.

His youngest brother, Joseph, was a trainee at Southampton, and made his first team debut in 2008. He now plays for Oldham, on loan from Burnley. His other brothers, Jon-Paul and Jamie both play for Hellenic Football League side Witney United.

His former girlfriend was former Hollyoaks and Prisoners' Wives actress Emma Rigby.[29]

In 2014, he married Jade Elliott, daughter of former Leicester City and Scotland defender Matt Elliott.

Style of play

Former Leicester City player and pundit Steve Claridge described Mills style of play as "an old-fashioned centre-half who relishes the physical side of the game".[30]

Honours

Doncaster Rovers

References

  1. ↑ "City agree on fee for Irish star". This is Leicestershire. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Mills secures move to Colchester". BBC Sport. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  3. ↑ "Donny land Mills". Sky Sports. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  4. ↑ "Forest's offer for Mills rejected". BBC Sport. 10 June 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  5. ↑ "Mills Completes Reading Transfer". BBC Sport. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009. ...joining for what BBC Berkshire understands to be in the region of £2m.
  6. ↑ "Report: Federici save earns point". Reading F.C. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  7. ↑ "Matt Mills thanks Reading fans for their support". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "No damage from Matt Mills behaviour – Brian McDermottt". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  9. ↑ Chowdhury, Saj (1 March 2011). "Everton 0 – 1 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  10. ↑ "City Complete Mills Signing". Leicester City F.C. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  11. ↑ Defender Matt Mills leaves Reading for Leicester City, BBC Sport, 8 July 2011, retrieved 11 March 2012
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Championship club-by-club 2011–12 season preview, BBC Sport, 5 August 2011, retrieved 10 March 2012
  13. ↑ "Coventry 0 – 1 Leicester". BBC Sport. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  14. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (16 October 2011). "Birmingham 2 – 0 Leicester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  15. ↑ "Hull City vs Leicester City". Leicester City F.C. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
  16. ↑ Southampton 0–2 Leicester, BBC Sport, 24 January 2012, retrieved 7 March 2012
  17. ↑ "Leicester's Nigel Pearson says Leeds want Matt Mills". BBC Sport. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Matt Mills denies falling out with Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson, BBC Sport, 7 July 2012, retrieved 7 July 2012
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Leicester City exclusive: Skipper Matt Mills set to go out on loan to Leeds". This is Leicestershire. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  20. ↑ Hammers eye Mills move, Sky Sports, 5 March 2012, retrieved 11 March 2012
  21. ↑ "Wanderers Seal Mills Deal". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  22. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2832198,00.html Mills On Bolton Switch
  23. ↑ "Bolton 2–0 Derby" BBC Sport. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  24. ↑ "Bolton 2–1 Watford" BBC Sport. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  25. ↑ "Matt Mills exit talk "hots up"". Lion of Vienna Suite. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  26. ↑ "Leeds United make a move for Bolton Wanderers defender Mills". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "Freedman confirms Matt Mills inquiry by Leeds, says he wants to keep him". Lion of Vienna Suite. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  28. ↑ http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/americantour/11368477.Spearing_and_Mills_given_captain_s_roles_for_next_season_at_Wanderers/?ref=var_0
  29. ↑ "Reading's Matthew mills scores another winner with actress Emma Rigby!". Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  30. ↑ "Scouting report: Matt Mills". The Guardian. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2013.

External links

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