David Mills

David Mills (born 6 December 1951) is an English former footballer most notable for his career with Middlesbrough and becoming England's first £500,000 footballer.

He is currently working as the head scout for Leicester City.

Playing career

Middlesbrough Mills was born in Whitby, and brought up in Thornaby-on-Tees and while at school represented his country with England Schoolboys. After school, he attracted interest from several clubs, including Hull City, Stoke City, Manchester United and Burnley, but decided on a move to local team Middlesbrough, after missing close to a year due to injury, and signed for the club in July 1968 His first team debut came as a substitute towards the end of the 1968–69 season and he scored at Swindown Town in 1969–70 on his full debut. He became a regular two seasons later. As part of Boro's 1973–74 Second Division championship side, he scored the goal that earned the side promotion in the 1–0 victory over Luton Town. Mills came to the attention of the England Under 23 selectors, His best season in terms of goals was in the 1976–77 season, in which he scored 18 times in 41 games, making him top scorer that season. He retained that title the next season. to take him to West Bromwich Albion, breaking the English transfer record and making Mills Britain's first half million pound footballer. Mills has since worked closely with Steve Walsh at Leicester City and Hull City, as a chief scout Mills has worked alongside Walsh to bring young emerging talent to Leicester City and Hull City with many ex-Manchester United youth players now found at both clubs.