Harrogate is home to one of Britain’s most famous sporting dynasties — the Mills family.
Dad Danny played football for England and Leeds and while his 19-year-old son Stanley is forging a career with Everton, 23-year-old son George is making a name as an international middle distance runner.
George was 1,500 metre British champion in 2020 and has realistic ambitions of representing the UK at the World Championships in Budapest this year and at the Olympics in Paris next year.
Like most international athletes he lives a nomadic life, spending winter training in South Africa and then alternating between there, Leipzig in Germany and St Moritz in Switzerland during the summer race season.
Training in St Moritz
But his roots are firmly in Harrogate, having lived in the town for most of his childhood when he attended Ashville College, Brackenfield School and St Aidan’s Church of England High School. His youngest brother is still at St Aidan’s. George says:
“St Aidan’s is where I got properly into running. I was in Year 7 and I went to a lunchtime cross-country club every week. I started doing local school races and joined Harrogate Harriers when I was 12 or 13 where I had my first proper coach.”
Under Jo Day’s guidance at Harrogate Harriers, he improved rapidly and became under-18 European 800 metres champion at the age of 17 by running a remarkable 1 minute 48.36 seconds.
Jo recalls:
“Everything I asked George to do he did. I had to pull the reins in on him at times because he wanted to work so hard.
“He was incredibly focused. If you are going to do something in the Mills family, you do it 110%!”
George in a Harrogate Harriers shirt with coach Jo Day
In September 2017 George moved to Brighton to attend university and transferred to Brighton Phoenix, the club 1980 Olympic 800 metres champion Steve Ovett ran for. But injuries kept him off the track for three frustrating years.
He bounced back in 2020 to win British indoor and outdoor titles at 1,500 metres — the distance he now focuses on.
Read more:
- Harrogate man beats 10,000 runners to win Brighton half marathon
- Harrogate teenager crowned national cross-country champion
But international athletics is a brutal and unforgiving sport. His senior British debut at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade last year turned into an “absolute disaster” when he thought he’d recovered from a bug only to fade to seventh in his heat.
He was then tripped in his second senior international appearance at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul this month.
George, however, doesn’t dwell on these disappointments. He says:
“You learn to roll with it. There’s always setbacks in sport. It’s how you deal with them that counts.”
Instead he is focusing on doing everything he can to have the best chance of success in the 18-month run-up to the Olympics. And we mean everything: he runs up to 180 kilometres a week in training, which even by the standards of the Mills family, where everybody exercises at least five times a week, is extreme. He jokes:
“They think I’m a bit of a weirdo because it’s so time consuming.”
Parental support
His parents are, however, totally behind him and occasionally watch him race. George, who is now a member of On Athletics Club Europe’s elite team of young runners, says:
“Having a dad from a high level sporting background was positive. He taught me about discipline and training — how I have to eat, sleep and train right and recover right. Being a professional sportsman is a 24/7 thing.”
Running may have usurped football but the bond remains strong. He grew up kicking a ball and admits he was “an absolute glory hunter as a kid” who supported Chelsea but now just supports his brother, who made his Everton debut last year.
George runs up to 180km a week
Athletes may be the financial poor relations to footballers but the route to the top is every bit as hard.
British middle distance is currently the strongest it’s been since the 1980s golden era of Ovett, Coe and Cram so even qualifying for major championships is tough.
George, however, is up for the challenge of being an Olympian in 2024.
“The level is incredible at the moment but if I said to you ‘I don’t believe I will make it’, I would be lying. It’s my sole focus. Paris next year is the big goal. But it’s way easier said than done.”
One thing is for sure, he won’t shirk the challenge.
Harrogate Town appoints women’s director of football“I’m very much a believer in mindset and the people you surround yourself with. Success breeds success.”
Harrogate Town has appointed Jason Barker as women’s director of football.
Mr Barker will be the first full-time member of staff dedicated to the women’s team.
He will be tasked with overseeing the development of women’s and girls’ football at Harrogate Town from the player development centre to the first team.
Mr Barker, who has 10 years coaching experience and was formerly at Liverpool FC’s academy, said:
“I am looking forward to starting work with Harrogate Town and continuing the hard work the club has already done to build the foundations of the women’s/girls section.
“The next steps for us at Harrogate are to expand the women’s/girls’ section of this already very successful club and promote more playing opportunities for girls and women in the Harrogate district.”
Club operations director Dave Riley added:
“I am delighted that Jason has been appointed as our girls’ and women’s director of football. This is a real positive step and another major milestone within the football club for the women and girls’ game.
“Everyone at Harrogate Town AFC is looking forward to seeing their progression being taken to the next level.”
Read more:
Harrogate Town’s stadium upgrade approved
Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans by Harrogate Town FC to upgrade their Envirovent Stadium on Wetherby Road.
It will see almost 1,000 seats installed to bring the ground up to English Football League (EFL) standards.
To the south of the ground, the Myrings terrace will see 264 seats installed and the 1919 bar will be demolished and replaced with a new standing terrace.
A total of 603 seats were installed in the Black Sheep Brewery stand a few weeks ago.
The changes will not increase the overall capacity of 5,071 but will see the number of fans that can be seated rise from 1,193 to 2,060.
Read more:
This is to ensure the club meets an EFL requirement that grounds have a minimum capacity of 5,000 and 2,000 seats.
The 1919 bar has not been used on matchdays since before the covid pandemic. It has also been used for private functions.
The club recently opened a new bar next to the Black Sheep stand.
The ground on Wetherby Road has been used by the club for over 100 years and has seen significant investment over the last few years as the club looks to keep up with rapid growth on the pitch.
Simon Weaver’s side now play in the EFL after playing most of its existence in the lower leagues.
They currently sit in 21st in League Two and play Gillingham at home tomorrow (Saturday).
A Harrogate Town spokesperson said:
Harrogate’s Rachel Daly scores twice as England beat Italy“As part of our wider stadium development plans, work will soon begin on a new South Stand at the Envirovent Stadium with the aim of being completed in time for next season 2023/24.
“The development will enable the club to reach the required EFL regulation of a minimum of 2,000 seats and will also help us provide for the increasing demand for seats which we cannot accommodate currently.
“We are seeing more young families and first-generation Town supporters, as well as first time fans visiting than ever before so we are delighted to be in a position to provide more seats and facilities to meet the growing demand. In turn, it will help deliver an enhanced match day experience for our loyal supporters and visiting away clubs too.”
Harrogate’s Rachel Daly scored twice as England beat Italy in the Arnold Clark Cup.
Daly, who made her first start up front, secured the Lionesses their second win of the competition with two headers in a 2-1 victory.
The tournament is hosted by the Football Association and sees four teams play against each other during the February international break.
The 31-year-old was given the start up front after scoring 10 goals in 13 appearances for Aston Villa this season.
Daly’s performance will prove a headache for head coach Sarina Weigman ahead of the final game of the Arnold Clark Cup on Wednesday.
Sunday’s victory over Italy sees England top the tournament table on six points.
The Lionesses will play Belgium for the Arnold Clark Cup at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on Wednesday at 7.45pm.
Read more:
- Petition launched to honour all England Lionesses — including Harrogate’s Rachel Daly
- Harrogate’s Rachel Daly named WSL Player of the Month — again!
Harrogate’s Rachel Daly scores four in Women’s FA Cup
Harrogate’s Rachel Daly continued her fantastic form when she scored four goals for Aston Villa Women in the Women’s FA Cup yesterday.
Villa cruised to an 11-0 win over AFC Fylde to reach the last 16 of the competition.
England star Daly, who started her career with Killinghall Nomads, opened the scoring in the second minute and added a second as her side went 6-0 up after 25 minutes.
She was denied a 13-minute hat-trick when her penalty was saved but still notched a couple more after the interval.
Daly, who played as a defender during England Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory last year, is having a remarkable first season in the West Midlands since her summer transfer from Houston Dash.
Playing up front, she is along with Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw the joint highest scorer in the Women’s Super League with nine in 11 matches — which doesn’t include her FA Cup goals.
She has twice been named Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month this season.
The draw for the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup takes place at 6.30pm tonight on the BBC’s Sportsday show on the BBC news channel and BBC iPlayer.
Read more:
- Petition launched to honour all England Lionesses — including Harrogate’s Rachel Daly
- Harrogate’s Rachel Daly named WSL Player of the Month — again!
Petition launched to honour all England Lionesses — including Harrogate’s Rachel Daly
A petition has been launched to award honours to all members of the England Lionesses team that won Euro 2022 — including Harrogate’s Rachel Daly.
Captain Leah Williamson was appointed OBE while Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Ellen White became MBEs in today’s King’s New Year Honours.
But the decision to recognise four players and not others in a team game has caused controversy.
A petition calling for all of the Lionesses’ playing squad to receive honours has already attracted 2,000 signatures.
Michael McCann, who started the petition, said:
“It simply does not feel fair at all, that after such a monumental collective effort, and given the historical precedents set with previous sporting successes in England, to chose to honour just four of the Lionesses players.”
Mr McCann calls on the Cabinet Office to “honour the entire 23-player squad with at least an MBE”.
Politicians, including Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, have questioned why only four of the team were recognised.
Why only four? They were a TEAM. It should be all or none and I say ALL. https://t.co/lc6ysVKZWL
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) December 31, 2022
The Daily Mail’s northern football correspondent, Dominic King, also expressed forthright views on Twitter.
If Gareth Southgate’s squad had won the World Cup, every member would have got recognition in the honours list. It’s puzzling, them, why every member of Sarina Weigman’s squad hasn’t been honoured. Sir Hugh Robertson’s explanation for the exclusivity is nonsense, too.
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) December 31, 2022
Daly, whose career started at Killinghall Nomads, has had an amazing year. Besides winning Euro 2022 she has twice been named Women’s Super League Player of the Month for her scoring exploits at Aston Villa.
Rachel Daly receiving her player of the month award November.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Rachel Daly named WSL Player of the Month — again!
- Harrogate’s Rachel Daly among winners at Pride of Britain awards
England 1966 World Cup memorabilia sells for £445,000 at North Yorkshire auction
A North Yorkshire auctioneers with offices in Harrogate sold a 1966 World Cup winner’s medal, shirt and squad cap today for a combined hammer price of £445,000.
The items originally belonged to Alan Ball, who at just 21 years old was the youngest and least experienced member of the legendary 1966 World Cup winning England team.
His medal sold for £200,000 hammer, his red number 7 shirt fetched £130,000 and his cap sold for £115,000 at Tennants Auctioneers’ toys and models, sporting and fishing sale in Leyburn.
Lancashire-born midfielder Alan Ball played for Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal and Southampton, and won 72 caps for England. He went on to manage several clubs, including Manchester City and Southampton. He died in 2007.
Alan Ball’s 1966 World Cup winner’s medal.
Alan Ball’s shirt sold for £130,000
His cap fetched £115,000
Ball sold his medal and cap at auction in 2005, when they were purchased by the owner of Bolton Wanderers, businessman and philanthropist Edwin ‘Eddie’ Davies (1946-2018).
From the same estate came a Pele match-worn Brazil shirt, worn during the first half of the famous Brazil v England 1970 World Cup match, which sold for £33,000.
Tennants Auctioneers’ sporting specialist, Kegan Harrison, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have achieved such fantastic results for the vendor, who has had a long-standing relationship with Tennants.
“The 1966 World Cup victory will always be a golden moment in English sporting history, and we have been honoured to have handled the sale of these extraordinary items. It has been 56 years since that incredible match, but it is still very close to the hearts of all football fans.”
Tennants Auctioneers is based at Leyburn, North Yorkshire and has an office on Montpellier Road in Harrogate, as well as in London.
Harrogate’s Rachel Daly named WSL Player of the Month — again!Harrogate-born footballer Rachel Daly’s amazing year continued today when she was named Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month for November.
Daly, who was part of England’s thrilling European Championships success in the summer, has been in red-hot form in front of goal since signing for Aston Villa from Houston Dash this season.
She won the player of the month award in September and has now landed it a second time for playing a key role in Villa victories over Liverpool and Reading in November.
Rachel Daly displays her award.
The former Killinghall Nomads player scored a penalty to seal a 1-0 win over Liverpool before recording a hat-trick against Reading at Villa Park to give her four league goals last month.
Daly is the league’s joint top scorer and has helped catapult Villa to fifth in the table.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Rachel Daly among winners at Pride of Britain awards
- Harrogate’s Rachel Daly scores twice on dream return to England
Year-round sports pitch opens to the community in Harrogate
A 3G sports pitch has opened for community use in Harrogate.
St Aidan’s Church of England High School applied to create the pitch more than two years ago and is now inviting people to use it.
it was completed in the summer and officially launched at the school’s new Family Fest day. However, it was only in use for PE lessons and school football clubs until this week.
St Aidan’s chair of governors Jo Wicks said:
“We are delighted to finally be able to share this long-awaited and much-needed facility with the local community.
“Our pupils and PE staff are already enjoying their new dry and safe pitch, and we look forward to welcoming local clubs to St Aidan’s. Thanks to everyone involved for your hard work and resilience.”
When the original planning application was submitted in spring 2020, the school said the pitches would mainly be used by its own pupils, as well as those from primary schools in the area who did not have access to their own playing spaces.
Read more:
St Aidan’s plans to open the facility to the community from 6pm to 8pm on weeknights as well as Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. It would also be open from 9am to 4pm during school holidays.
The associated floodlights drew some concern from neighbours, who also raised objections to the potential for light pollution on the Stray.
However, there were also many supportive comments, including from other football clubs which said there was a demonstrable lack of year-round playing pitches in the Harrogate district.
Planning officers had recommended the proposal be refused by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee because of the impact on the surrounding area.
Councillors instead approved the plans in January 2021, saying they would be “letting our young people down” if they did not allow the pitches to be created.
Harrogate Town set for FA Cup Yorkshire derby at BradfordHarrogate Town are set for a crunch Yorkshire derby in the FA Cup first round today.
Town travel to Bradford City for a 12.30pm kick off as they look to get their cup campaign off to a good start.
More than 300 Harrogate fans are set to head to Valley Parade, and planned strike action on the railways this weekend has been called off.
Town manager Simon Weaver said his side have to remain focussed if they want to get through to the next round.
He said:
“We will just have to make sure we are focussed and concentrated throughout the game.
“We know that if you allow Bradford to play then they have got some good quality players and are organised by a very good manager.
“We can’t take our eye off the ball throughout the entirety of the game. We have got to make sure we are on it.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Aon renews Harrogate Town sponsorship
- Temporary bar to open at Harrogate Town in fortnight
Town will be hoping for a repeat of last season when they managed to beat League One side Portsmouth to make it to the third round.
Harrogate beat Bradford last season on their visit to Valley Parade. But the Bantams took the bragging rights last month at the EnviroVent Stadium with a 2-1 win.
City boss Mark Hughes has said his side are also eyeing a cup run this campaign.
Hughes said:
“I am looking forward to it. A local derby is always a good watch, and we are hoping for a big turnout.
“We want to progress in the cups this season. There clearly is a financial edge to going far, but the reality is, if you get to the third round, there are some good ties we want to be involved in.
“We will try and get there. Our intention is to stay in the competition for as long as we can.
“There is a real understanding within the squad about the history of the competition. The FA Cup is not on the same level, in terms of the prestige and standing, compared to other competitions.
“We have to navigate the game at the weekend. We have beaten them away from home, so there is no reason why we should not be confident.”