STEVE Mills has been awarded the latest Forever Saint award for his fundraising and community contribution while enduring a tragic personal time.

On the verge of Saints stardom, full-back Mills’ career was cut short due to injuries suffered during a car accident in 1975.

He made his comeback match on the final day of the 1975–76 season, a week before the FA Cup final. Sadly, his fitness had been irrevocably damaged and he was forced to give up the game after 2 matches in the following campaign.

Further bad news came later when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. During his fight against the disease, Mills involved himself and encouraged others to create a fundraising charity dedicated to the research and understanding of Leukaemia.

One of the highest-profile fundraising efforts was the biggest charity event the south had ever seen with an ex-Saints side including the likes of Kevin Keegan, Martin Chivers, Alan Ball, Mick Channon and David Armstrong, playing the current Saints side on March 28 1988.

A crowd of over 29,000 at The Dell gathered for the event. Mills passed away in Southampton in August that year, age 34. His daughters were presented with the award at half-time of the Burnley fixture.