Danny Mills
Encyclopedia
Daniel John Mills is a former English
professional footballer best known for his time at Leeds United
. His main position was right-back, though he could also play as central defender. On 7 August 2009 he announced his retirement from the game at the age of 32.
He was England
's first choice right-back at the 2002 World Cup
.
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.
in a £4.1 million transfer in what he later described as a "dream move" to "the club I love". He played a part in helping Leeds reach the 2000/01 Champions League Semi-Final. Mills' Champions League debut came in Leeds' 4-0 defeat by Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
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.
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. 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. Mills has often said he would like to go back to Leeds again (along with Olivier Dacourt), but this has never happened. Mills has been seen at Leeds games with his young son since the club's relegation into the Championship
.
debut in the opening fixture of the 2004-05 season
, a 1-1 draw against Fulham
at the City of Manchester Stadium
. 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. 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 (22.9 m) against Everton
. One month later, he sustained a shin injury which resulted in a fifteen game absence. 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. He re-joined former club Charlton on a loan deal until the end of 2007.
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 as his contract expired.
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. He earned a total of 19 caps for the national team, all won in games played away from Wembley, a record for an England player in the modern era.
On 7 August 2009 Mills announced his retirement from all football during an appearance on BBC Five Live.
(the Association for Spina Bifida
And Hydrocephalus
), and has raised money for the charity since the death of his son Archie from the condition in 2002. He has also appeared on BBC Five Live's Fighting Talk
.
In 2010 he competed in the Brighton marathon in a wheelchair to raise money for ASBAH and the National Association of Disabled Supporters, completing the race in two hours, 43 minutes.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer best known for his time at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. His main position was right-back, though he could also play as central defender. On 7 August 2009 he announced his retirement from the game at the age of 32.
He was England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
's first choice right-back at the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
.
Early career
Mills began his career with Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
after coming through their youth system. He was unable to establish a regular place in the side and moved to Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
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.
Leeds
Fifteen months later, Mills signed for Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in a £4.1 million transfer in what he later described as a "dream move" to "the club I love". He played a part in helping Leeds reach the 2000/01 Champions League Semi-Final. Mills' Champions League debut came in Leeds' 4-0 defeat by Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
Mills spent the 2003-04 season on loan at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, where he played in the 2004 Football League Cup Final
2004 Football League Cup Final
The 2004 Football League Cup Final was played between Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough at the Millennium Stadium on 29 February 2004. Middlesbrough won the game 2-1 to clinch their first major trophy...
to help Middlesbrough to their first ever major trophy.
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
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on a free transfer in the close season, signing a five year contract. 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. Mills has often said he would like to go back to Leeds again (along with Olivier Dacourt), but this has never happened. Mills has been seen at Leeds games with his young son since the club's relegation into the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
Manchester City
Mills made his Manchester CityManchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
debut in the opening fixture of the 2004-05 season
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
, a 1-1 draw against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
at the City of Manchester Stadium
City of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
. He started the majority of matches in his first season at Manchester City, but was dropped from the first team when Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce OBE is an English football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of the England national under-21 team and the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team...
replaced Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
as manager in March 2005. He regained his place for the start of the 2005-06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
, and on 2 October 2005, he scored his first and only goal for Manchester City, a powerful shot from 25 yards (22.9 m) against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. One month later, he sustained a shin injury which resulted in a fifteen game absence. The injury coincided with the emergence of Micah Richards
Micah Richards
Micah Lincoln Richards is an English footballer who plays for Manchester City and the England national team. A versatile defender, Richards is equally adept at centre back and right back or in centre midfield...
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
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
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
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson , in Sweden commonly referred to just by his nickname Svennis, is a Swedish ex-football manager. From October 2010 to October 2011 he managed Football League Championship side Leicester City....
as Manchester City manager, Mills was transfer listed. He re-joined former club Charlton on a loan deal until the end of 2007.
He joined Premier League strugglers Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
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 as his contract expired.
International career
Following a series of impressive performances for Leeds United, Mills received his first EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
callup in 2001, making his international debut on 25 May 2001, as a substitute in a friendly against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
at Pride Park
Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997...
. His first England start came on 27 March 2002 in a friendly against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, Mills was chosen as England's first choice right-back following an injury to Gary Neville
Gary Neville
Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years....
, and he played every minute of England's five matches. He earned a total of 19 caps for the national team, all won in games played away from Wembley, a record for an England player in the modern era.
On 7 August 2009 Mills announced his retirement from all football during an appearance on BBC Five Live.
Outside football
Mills is a patron of ASBAHASBAH
ASBAH is a UK registered charity providing information and advice about spina bifida and hydrocephalus to individuals, families and carers.Their services are targeted towards:...
(the Association for Spina Bifida
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open. If the opening is large enough, this allows a portion of the spinal cord to protrude through...
And Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus , also known as "water in the brain," is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. This may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull and progressive enlargement of the head,...
), and has raised money for the charity since the death of his son Archie from the condition in 2002. He has also appeared on BBC Five Live's Fighting Talk
Fighting Talk
Fighting Talk is a topical sports show broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live during the English football season. Its first series aired in October 2003, and was presented by Johnny Vaughan. The second series featured Christian O'Connell. It is currently hosted by Colin Murray and is aired on Saturday...
.
In 2010 he competed in the Brighton marathon in a wheelchair to raise money for ASBAH and the National Association of Disabled Supporters, completing the race in two hours, 43 minutes.
Club
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
- League CupLeague CupIn association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
: 20042004 Football League Cup FinalThe 2004 Football League Cup Final was played between Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough at the Millennium Stadium on 29 February 2004. Middlesbrough won the game 2-1 to clinch their first major trophy...