Steve Mills was born near Southampton, played football for Southampton and left his proud legacy for the people of Southampton, Hampshire and beyond.
A naturally tenacious and speedy full-back, his promising career was cruelly cut short when he was injured in a car accident. Further bad news came later when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia.
During his brave fight against the disease, Steve involved himself and encouraged others to create a fundraising charity dedicated to the research and understanding of Leukaemia.
Perhaps the highest-profile fundraising effort 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, who were just some of the players who came from all over the globe to play the current Saints side on 28th March 1988 in front of a crowd of over 29,000 at The Dell – a truly great gesture from those players and a show of the great respect Steve commanded from his fellow professionals.
The charity and fundraising in Steve’s name continues with The Steve Mills Stem Cell Laboratory at Southampton General Hospital, and many others continue to benefit from the work of this wonderful charity.
Today on Steve’s behalf his family will proudly receive his Forever Saint award in recognition of his achievements which continue to benefit many people
Much more than a talented footballer, Steve Mills brought a community together and created a legacy that will be remembered and appreciated for a very long time.
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