Danny’s boy listens to dad to rise above run- of- the- mills
GEORGE Mills heeded the advice of football- playing dad Danny to add a notable chapter to his family’s sporting story in Manchester. Mills, 21, was crowned British champion for the second time this year with a perfectly timed run to win the 1500m in 3 mins, 51.39 secs.
He did so in the shadow of the Etihad Stadium, where England defender Danny spent three years playing for Manchester City.
After adding the outdoor title to the indoor one he won in February, George said: “I tried to stay patient. That’s what my coach and dad have been drilling into me for probably two years.”
Mills jnr started life as a footballer at Middlesbrough’s academy but was not quite good enough to make the grade.
He told Athletics Weekly: “We used to watch DVDs of games, the 2002
World Cup, where Dad played all of England’s games. It definitely inspired me rather than intimidated me. I saw what being a sportsperson involved and thought it looked really cool.”
He turned to athletics and quickly won the European Youth Championship. “I got a bit frustrated in team sports if someone made a mistake,” he said. “Athletics is down to you. I really like that.
“Dad and I are pretty similar. We are both hard- working and resilient.”
Performance of the day at the British Championships came from Daniel Rowden, who outsprinted Jake Wightman to win the men’s 800m.
Rowden, 23 on Wednesday, set his sights on an Olympic medal in Tokyo.
“Can I contend? 100 per cent,” he said. “The trick is getting to the finals but once I am there, I have the tools to push for the medals.”
An emotional Holly Bradshaw won her eighth national pole vault title ( 4.35m) just 24 hours after the loss of her granddad.
“I’ve had a really rough 24 hours,” she said. “He was one of my biggest fans.
I’m glad I came and became British champion. He would be really happy.”