Matt Mills: podcast appearances and interviews

Matthew Claude Mills, born on 14 July 1986 in Swindon, is a leadership coach affiliated with Ripjar. He is a former professional footballer who played as a defender primarily in the English Football League Championship. Mills began his youth career with Swindon Town's academy before joining Southampton Academy in 1999. He turned professional in 2002 and experienced loan spells with Coventry City and AFC Bournemouth during his time at Southampton. In 2006, Mills signed with Manchester City, but limited playing opportunities due to injuries affected his time there. He subsequently had loan moves to Colchester United and Doncaster Rovers, eventually joining Doncaster Rovers permanently in 2008. After a season, he transferred to Reading for an estimated fee of around £2 million, where he notably captained the team in the Championship play-off final in 2011, scoring a goal in the match. Later that year, Mills declined an offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers and signed for Leicester City, where he was appointed club captain. In 2012, he moved to Bolton Wanderers, finishing third in the club's Player of the Season voting for 2014–15. Mills later played for Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, Pune City, and Forest Green Rovers before retiring from professional football in 2020. He was capped eight times at the youth level for England, and his younger brother Joseph Mills has also played professionally. Known as an old-fashioned centre-half with a strong physical presence, Mills' career reflects notable leadership qualities developed through his playing experiences.