Brothers to do battle at St Mary's (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Brothers to do battle at St Mary's
8:00am Saturday 31st July 2010 in
-
- By Adam Leitch » Chief Sports Writer
Matthew Mills is relishing his return to Southampton this afternoon – and hoping to come up against his younger brother.
Mills, now 24, came up through the youth ranks at Saints and made four first team appearances before he moved on to Manchester City for around £250,000 in 2006.
He will return to St Mary’s this afternoon as part of the Reading side that takes on Saints in a pre-season friendly.
He is likely to come up against his younger brother, Joseph, who has been impressing this summer on the left of midfield in Adam Lallana’s injury-enforced absence.
If Lallana does not recover in time, then Joseph Mills – nicknamed ‘Fish’ – is in line to start next Saturday’s Sky-televised League One curtain-raiser against Plymouth at St Mary’s.
Mills senior said: “Hopefully Joseph will play a part for them.
“I played against him when I was at Doncaster and also in a game for our reserves last season.
“The reserve game was a funny one, though.
“Joseph was just breaking into the first-team at Saints and every time he got the ball I just wanted him to do well.
“It was a strange experience.
“I always look out for him and want him to do well.
“He’s enjoying his football down at Southampton now.”
Matthew Mills moved to Manchester City on the recommendation of Steve Wigley, who helped develop him at Saints and then moved north to assist Stuart Pearce.
But things didn’t really work out for him there and after a series of loan spells Sean O’Driscoll snapped him up for Doncaster, paying a then club record fee of £300,000 to secure his services.
O’Driscoll had previously taken Matthew Mills to Bournemouth on loan when he was manager at Dean Court.
It was at Rovers that Mills really established himself as a first team regular and, after an impressive 2008/09 season, there were plenty of suitors for him.
Nottingham Forest, Birmingham and Newcastle were all interested but it was Reading who signed him for a cool £2m.
But, despite all that, Mills hasn’t forgotten that it all started for him back in Southampton.
“We’ve got our dad and two older brothers coming down to watch this one,” explained Matthew Mills.
“The result in football always takes care of itself and my family won’t really be bothered who wins as long as we both play.”
Comments(15)
frenchsaint
says...
8:23am Sat 31 Jul 10
EAGLESAINT wrote:I agree. You would have thought that in any sale of an Acadamy player that a sell-on clause was automatically included.
sold for £250,000 to city, sold to reading for £2m, hope there was a sell on clause ?, looking forward to todays game COYMRAWM
Out of interest does anyone know whether a sell-on clause only works once or could it cover all future transfers? I guess it seems unlikely.
Good Luck today to All. COYRS
ewell
says...
8:39am Sat 31 Jul 10
Condor Man
says...
8:54am Sat 31 Jul 10
frenchsaint
says...
9:09am Sat 31 Jul 10
You might like to visit the Reading fc site and read the in depth interview with their manager, it makes interesting reading.
Mr Ragworm
says...
9:32am Sat 31 Jul 10
Condor Man wrote:I think he is in a better position now, don't you?.
Matt Mills was badly advised- like Martin Cranie, to leave Saints when he did. He's never really amounted to much which is sad as he was a good prospect.
Spudsaint
says...
9:33am Sat 31 Jul 10
Condor Man wrote:As was Walcott and Bale. All could have done with another season or two at St Mary's before seeking a big money move. I understand why players want to step up quickly when an injury can easily wreck a career, but so many Saints Academicians have showed promise and then bombed after moving on. Bale seems to have finally come good though, and was one of the best players in the Premier League towards the end of last season.
Matt Mills was badly advised- like Martin Cranie, to leave Saints when he did. He's never really amounted to much which is sad as he was a good prospect.
frenchsaint
says...
9:36am Sat 31 Jul 10
Condor Man wrote:A decent team of youngsters that have slipped away from us these past few years that would cost a small fortune today.
Matt Mills was badly advised- like Martin Cranie, to leave Saints when he did. He's never really amounted to much which is sad as he was a good prospect.
Baird M.Williamson Cranie M.Mills
Bale A.Davies Gillett Surman
Walcott. Blackstock. Best. Ranger.McGoldrick.
Can't think of a 'lost' homegrown keeper.
saintsayer
says...
9:40am Sat 31 Jul 10
frenchsaint wrote:Two points of interest A good fast striker who he may loan out and no club can refuse to look at an offer for its players So lets get Antonio
Message to Dan NZ, and others.. You might like to visit the Reading fc site and read the in depth interview with their manager, it makes interesting reading.
SW more-mean Thats what we must be on the field
Tirau Dan
says...
10:22am Sat 31 Jul 10
frenchsaint wrote:I read that the other day.. it's great that he acknowledged Alan Pardews friendship and mentorship. I think the Mail carried part of it too. Shame it doesn't extend to giving us Ants :p
Message to Dan NZ, and others..
You might like to visit the Reading fc site and read the in depth interview with their manager, it makes interesting reading.
I love it that he gave Pards his team then Pards didn't give ours haha.. Lots of buzz that he hopes to start a new player. Fingers crossed.
I think Saints will make a good go of it.
Most of the SFC combinations would play decent football now.. the young guns have a lot to offer as they get so much special attention behind the scenes now.
COYR Sashes
PGA-
says...
10:25am Sat 31 Jul 10
puppy saint
says...
11:03am Sat 31 Jul 10
SouthamptonLegend
says...
12:04pm Sat 31 Jul 10
SouthamptonLegend
says...
12:16pm Sat 31 Jul 10
saints4eva12
says...
6:13pm Sat 31 Jul 10
SouthamptonLegend wrote:theres always radio solent
Any fans wanna watch the game live and can't make it to SMS - someone just told me www.rajangan.net will show it!
More Saints News stories
- Bogeyman Austin out to maintain perfect scoring record against Saints
- Howe stokes fires ahead of St Mary's clash
- Hooiveld set for Fonte reunion
- Saints strikers are going nowhere
- Dickson joins Orient
- Saints face Championship hotshots
- Redknapp 'the only viable choice' for England
- Emotional Adkins bemoans FA Cup exit
- Saints recall Dickson
- Hammers hoping for a packed Upton Park
Joseph Mills
Most popular
The Southern Daily Echo will not tolerate comments posted on this message board which are deemed to be distasteful or offensive in any way. This includes homophobic and racist remarks. Anyone posting inappropriate comments risks having their account banned from using this site. The Echo will also fully co-operate with police by providing details, when requested, in relation to such incidents, which may lead to prosecution.
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
EAGLESAINT says...
8:12am Sat 31 Jul 10