AS THE Conference Premier moves into the second half of the season, York City FC find themselves in the play-off places with a fight for promotion on their hands. Manager Gary Mills takes time out to talk about the late former manager Brian Clough, his unique record and to give tips for future footballing stars.
Now into his second year as York City boss, Gary Mills has the same desire to do well for the club as when he first joined. His rich outlook on the game’s simplicities has worked well with the club’s staff and players. Since he joined the club it has steadily improved in the Conference Premier, as well as enjoyed a successful FA cup run which saw them take Premiership side Bolton all the way in the fourth round. It is no surprise, therefore, to hear Mills has enjoyed his time so far. He stated: “It’s a fantastic football club within a fantastic city.” But despite all this he does not get ahead of himself: “I know the rules of football management; you’ve got to keep producing the goods, and stay successful. If you don’t, you won’t stay and I want to stay here for many a year.”
Much talk around the football club and the city of York has been the proposal of the new 6000 seater Community Stadium, Mills adds that the “talks are in progression [for a new stadium]. Firstly though I want to get this club promoted. If we get promoted the timing would be perfect. If you work hard at trying to achieve, you get more satisfaction from it.”
With conversation restricted largely to club affairs when Mills gives press conferences, it is a rarity to hear him talking about his prolonged career. The fact that listening to his doctor when they told him to retire at 34, but still go on to play non-league football until the ripe old age of 48, is his only regret, is a testament to just how successful his career has been. It was thus a privilege to hear of it first hand from the ex-Nottingham Forest and Derby man in person. “At 15, I had played for England schoolboys Rugby as well as Football. Even managing to score a goal at Wembley and score a try at Twickenham! I made my debut as Forest’s youngest player aged 16 against Arsenal, which was the team I’d supported as well, and I was part of a Forest side that was unbelievable. To play at the Bernabeu against Hamburg and win is as special now at 50 as it was back when I was 18. Sometimes I look at my cap and medal from that night, they’re an inspiration to me for what I want to achieve as a Manager.”
Now properly retired from the game aged 51, his managerial career is still very much in its infancy. But Mills, a player once under the guidance of one of England’s greatest ever managers, could not have asked for a better apprenticeship before the step up from player to boss. He commented on the late Brian Clough, “He did most things different. He was a genius to be honest with you. A one-off. I couldn’t sit here and tell you what he used to do, as you wouldn’t believe me. He was a fantastic motivator. Honest. Kept things simple. We’d do our jobs, if you didn’t you didn’t play, if you did, you did play.”
It then seemed sensible to ask what he had learnt from the mercurial manager. Mills replied: “Discipline, Motivation and how to conduct yourself at your football club on and off the field. I’ve probably had the best apprenticeship working under him for 13 years. Don’t get me wrong, I am my own man, but if you didn’t learn something from him there was something wrong.”
I now decided to fire off a few quick questions at the City boss. England players for the future? “Rodwell. Jones at Man U, and I like the right back at Spurs [Kyle Walker], especially as I used to play there.” Next England Manager? “An Englishman PLEASE!” Best player played with? “John Robertson at Forest” [The man who scored the winner in the European Cup against Hamburg]. And against? “I’ve been lucky to play against a lot of good players, like Maradona and Carlos Alberto.” Impressive to say the least.
We then got on to discuss the role of students and what could encourage us to support the Minstermen during our time at York. The quizzical Mills replied: “Well I’ve been here just over a year, and you can fall in love with somewhere. If that is the case then try and be a part of the community.”
This is a man who is still the youngest player ever to win the European Cup; it’s clear that he knows how to motivate oneself at a tender age. To finish he gave a message to the promising youngsters at the University: “Listen, if you’ve got the ability, then never ever let anyone knock you down or turn you into a negative person. Stay positive and believe in yourself. If you’ve got the attitude with the ability you will get there. I’ve had knocks as a player, but you just need another door to open to allow you to be the player that you are. The door is never shut, it’s only yourself that stops you being as good as you want to be.”
York City next play at their Bootham Crescent ground on Saturday 21st January against Ebbsfleet United. They currently sit fifth in the Conference Premier, and a win for the Minstermen would help cement their place in the play-off position and give them a greater chance of moving up into the Football League.