MATT’S MOVES
The life and times of Matt Mills
AWELL-TRAVELLED defender who appeared in all four top divisions of English football, Matt Mills experienced the highs and lows throughout a career that spanned nearly two decades.
His journey began in the early 2000s with Southampton, where he’d graduated through the ranks to the first team off the back of an impressive loan spell at south coast rivals Bournemouth.
Upon his return, Mills was starting to make his breakthrough with the Saints when Manchester City came calling.
“As a centre-half in that era of football it was hard to break into first-team football, so I went out on loan to prove a point and then broke into Southampton first team in the Championship,” he recalled.
“I played a few games and then Man City came in and I couldn’t say no. They were full of top players such as Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin. I plugged away but it was hard to break into the team, so I decided to go out on loan.
“Players can stay at Prem clubs a long time without playing but I didn’t want to do that.”
Mills left the luxury of Manchester City and headed out on loan to League One Doncaster Rovers. His loan in South Yorkshire was successful as Rovers won promotion to the Championship and he was signed permanently.
“Donny was a great move,” he said. “I’d played under Sean O’Driscoll at Bournemouth and really enjoyed his style of play.
“A lot of people questioned why I dropped down to League One rather than play in the Championship but I wanted to play for a manager where I knew I’d play consistently and enjoy it. I was 21 and ready to prove my worth.”
The powerful centre-back certainly did that at the Keepmoat Stadium. It culminated in him being named the club’s player of the year and becoming one of the most highly sought-after defenders in the Championship, with second tier Reading winning the tussle for his signature.
“After signing for Donny for 300k, moving to Reading after ten months for £2.5m was amazing, I’d proved my point,” he said. “I loved my time at Reading, I just wish we’d got promoted.” Mills performed well at Reading, but the Royals weren’t able to find their way to the top-flight during his tenure in Berkshire.
He moved to another Championship side Leicester, where he endured a frustrating time.
He had been attracted to the Foxes ahead of what would prove to be a short-lived project, which was being spearheaded by former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
“After what I thought was a positive start, the manager changed and so did my life, but that’s football,” he said. “Sometimes things just don’t work and, unfortunately, this was one of those situations.”
A move to Bolton would follow, but the club was plagued by financial troubles at the time.
“I really enjoyed my spell at Bolton,” he recalled. “Sadly, the issue was after my first season at the club when the owner pulled out. Once money stops being invested, it becomes very difficult to compete.”
At Bolton, Mills relished playing under the tutelage of Dougie Freedman, a coach he regards highly, so it came as no great surprise that Mills opted to reunite with the Scotsman at Nottingham Forest after leaving the Trotters.
“Forest was great, a massive club and I loved my first season there,” he said.
“I really enjoyed working with Dougie and I enjoyed working with Brian McDermott (Reading) and Sean O’Driscoll as well.
“Those three coaches were the best in my career.”
Spells with Barnsley, Indian side Pune City and Forest Green – where he linked up with younger brother Joseph - would follow for Mills before he hung up his boots last year.
Renowned for his excellent work-ethic throughout his career, it comes as no great surprise that Mills is still challenging himself in his life after football.
“I’m really enjoying doing some media work at the moment, I feel very lucky to be given the opportunity,” he added.
“I also work full-time in the family business, The FD Centre. This keeps me very busy and, of course, the media work keeps me connected to my passion that is football.”