My dad is an ex-World Cup star and BBC pundit but I’m making my own path in a different sport
GEORGE MILLS will never get the chance to play football at the highest level like his famous dad Danny.
But having swapped football boots for running spikes, the 23-year-old hopes to create his own sporting legacy over the next 17 months.
George Mills faces an exciting time in his running career, starting with the European Athletics Indoor ChampionshipsRex
GettyBritish team member Mills faces the 1500m indoor heats on Thursday[/caption]
And those aspirations could well be kick-started this week in Istanbul when he wears a senior British Athletics vest for just the second time.
Mills wanted to play footie as a kid – that was his first love – but soon realised that his true talent and obsession lie with middle-distance running.
Selection for the European Athletics Indoor Championships has justified that decision and shows is on the right road to possible success.
The Turkish city will hold plenty of memories for his family – especially Danny, the former England, Leeds United and Manchester City right-back.
The 45-year-old was an unused sub when Leeds were defeated by Galatasaray in an infamous 1999-00 Uefa Cup semi-finals – a match that was overshadowed by the death of two Yorkshire fans in the build-up.
He was also on the bench in 2003 when England drew 0-0 in Turkey in European Championship qualifying but only after threatening a potential strike over Rio Ferdinand’s exclusion for missing a drugs test.
On Thursday night, most of the Mills clan will be by the Bosphorus as George races in the 1500m heats with dreams of standing on the podium the following night.
Mills said: “I’m excited. It’s my first time in Istanbul.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
“It’s only my second ever championships and last year I wasn’t in great form going into the World Indoors. This time I’m ready to go.
“I raced in Belgrade in 2022 but I had flu. No matter if you’ve a senior vest, if you’re not in the right shape or your body isn’t right, it’s probably best to give it a miss.
“My family will be there. It’s nice to have dad around.
“During the trials, he said go out there, execute your plan, obviously you want to win but top two is the main aim so don’t do anything stupid.
“He has a very logical brain. That’s helpful sometimes. He’s great to help reflect and talk through things.”
Mills was born in Chelmsford in May 1999 when Danny played for Charlton but then the family relocated to Harrogate when he signed for the Elland Road club.
Younger brother Stanley, 19, is a winger at Everton but the pair often joke about their different training methods.
Mills used to train in Brighton but is now based in St Moritz, Switzerland as part of the On Athletics Club (OAC) Europe and spent the winter in Dullstroom, South Africa.
Proud dad Danny Mills has seen son George reach the fringe of big things in sport away from footballRichard Pelham / The Sun
His target this year is making the squad for the Hungary World Athletics Championships and then it is the big one – the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Mills said: “I’m at an age now where I can start consistently making teams and put my name in the frame regularly.
“I want this career to go on as long as possible. I love the sport and would never want it to stop.
“Football was my first love but as we know it’s another very hard sport to make it in.
“It wasn’t meant to be. Fortunately I found running and wouldn’t change it for the world.
“I played at a couple of academy trials. I was a decent Sunday league player but nothing like my brother.
“I go and watch him now and I think, bloody hell. He can play right wing, centre mid, left wing, he’s an attacker.
“My aim at the Europeans is a medal. I’d be hiding if that wasn’t what I was going for.
“By no means is that easy. But if you put yourself in the right positions and execute your plan, you never know what will happen.”
