A great prop
forward but he had a very short temper on the pitch
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Story by
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Club supported by author
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Year of story
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Date of Submission
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Geoff / Elaine
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Widnes
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Early 1970's
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13/01/2004
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Jim was sent off 22 times in his career I think. A great prop
forward but he had a very short temper on the pitch and the
oposition often riled him on purpose. He went to Working ton
at one point where he was out of the limelight and less high
profile games before returning to Widnes.
Two clashes stand out in my memory. First against Wigan at home in
a league game in the 1970's. Bill Ashurst, no small man himself
riled Jim until Jim just took matters in his own hands. He was
dispatched with a punch or two, at a play the ball I think.
Mills walked Ashurst was carried off on a stretcher out cold.
It is alleged on his return to the living he said" Vinty
can get someone else to rile him next time!" Karalius was
coaching Wigan at the time.
The most memorable assault I can recall was in a test match
at Bradford. O'Neill an Australian forward must have miffed
Jim. It ws right infront of me. Again at a play the ball I think.
Jim head butted and threw a left and a right before his adversary
hit the ground. (See Memorable
Matches No 4 - 1970 World Cup Final)
Not sport at all but it was accepted as part of the game in
those days. Like him or loathe him Jim was one of many characters
and there are none around today, and he was a tremendous forward
and was an automatic choice for Wales and Great Britain .
Appears in the following pages ....P60_Jim MILLS
Date of posting ... 13-Jan-2004
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