Grenville Millington
Encyclopedia
Grenville Rodney Millington (born 10 December 1951, Queensferry, Flintshire
) was a professional footballer who played in The Football League
as a goalkeeper. He enjoyed a long career with Chester City
and was voted the club's BBC
Cult Hero in 2005. Millington is now an established goalkeeping coach. He is the younger brother of Tony Millington
, who played in goal for Wales
.
, in a match which also provided the first Chester appearance for Nigel Edwards
(who would go on to be a long–serving colleague for Millington) and the last for the prolific Gary Talbot
. However, this was to be Millington's only appearance for Chester before being released and he returned to Rhyl
, where he had been as a youngster. While with the Lilywhites he came up against Tony for the only time, when Rhyl met Swansea City
in January 1971 in the FA Cup
. He also had a spell with Witton Albion
and played on trial for Brighton & Hove Albion
, before returning to Chester in November 1973. His first game back ended in an FA Cup win over Telford United
and he replaced John Taylor
as first-choice goalkeeper at the club.
The 1974–75
season was one of Chester's finest, as they reached the Football League Cup
semi–finals and won promotion from Division Four
. Millington was vital to both successes as he played in every game, memorably making an outstanding save from Malcolm MacDonald
in a quarter-finals giant killing win over Newcastle United
. The season also saw him set the club record for the longest run without conceding a goal.
Millington remained first choice goalkeeper ahead of Mike Craven until early in 1977–78
, when fellow Welshman Brian Lloyd
was signed from Wrexham
and Millington was to barely play for the next two years. However, he regained his place early in 1979–80
and helped Chester reach the FA Cup fifth round. He was an ever-present in 1980–81
and the following season retained his club player of the season award despite Chester being relegated. This season saw Millington involved in a bizarre incident when a Football League Cup
tie with Plymouth Argyle
was abandoned after he collided with a goalpost - which snapped in the process.
season saw Millington begin as regular goalkeeper for Chester, but an arm injury in a home defeat by Mansfield Town
in October 1982 marked the beginning of the end of his playing days with the club. Millington was released two months later but rejoined the club on non-contract terms in March 1983, combining being cover for Phil Harrington
with a coaching role at the club. He played in the final game of the season, a 2–1 loss to Scunthorpe United
, before joining non–league side Oswestry Town
in the summer of 1983.
Millington returned to Football League
circles the following season, when he made 13 league appearances for Wrexham
. This brought the curtain down on his league career.
In the late 1990s, Millington became goalkeeping coach with both Wrexham and Chester and worked off and on for the latter until leaving in February 2006. He is now goalkeeping coach at Connah's Quay Nomads
and president of the Chester City Supporters Trust.
Queensferry, Flintshire
Queensferry is a town in Flintshire, North Wales, lying on the River Dee near the border with England.Queensferry lies along the B5441 and B5129 roads, and is bypassed by the A494 dual carriageway. It is contiguous with Deeside...
) was a professional footballer who played in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
as a goalkeeper. He enjoyed a long career with Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
and was voted the club's BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Cult Hero in 2005. Millington is now an established goalkeeping coach. He is the younger brother of Tony Millington
Tony Millington
Anthony Horace "Tony" Millington is a retired Welsh footballer who played as a goalkeeper for West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Peterborough United and Swansea City in the 1960s and 1970s and made 21 international appearances for Wales. His career ended in 1975 following a car accident and he...
, who played in goal for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
.
Chester
Millington made his Chester debut as a 17-year old in April 1969 in the final home game of the season against Lincoln CityLincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, in a match which also provided the first Chester appearance for Nigel Edwards
Nigel Edwards
Nigel Edwards is a Welsh former footballer who played as a full back. He made more than 400 Football League appearances for Chester City and Aldershot.-Playing career:...
(who would go on to be a long–serving colleague for Millington) and the last for the prolific Gary Talbot
Gary Talbot
Gary Talbot was a professional footballer in the 1960s with Chester, where he set a record as the second highest Football League goalscorer, and Crewe Alexandra...
. However, this was to be Millington's only appearance for Chester before being released and he returned to Rhyl
Rhyl F.C.
Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's...
, where he had been as a youngster. While with the Lilywhites he came up against Tony for the only time, when Rhyl met Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
in January 1971 in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. He also had a spell with Witton Albion
Witton Albion F.C.
Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup...
and played on trial for Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, before returning to Chester in November 1973. His first game back ended in an FA Cup win over Telford United
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
and he replaced John Taylor
John Taylor (goalkeeper)
John Taylor is a former English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played in The Football League for three clubs during the 1970s.-Playing career:...
as first-choice goalkeeper at the club.
The 1974–75
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
season was one of Chester's finest, as they reached the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi–finals and won promotion from Division Four
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
. Millington was vital to both successes as he played in every game, memorably making an outstanding save from Malcolm MacDonald
Malcolm MacDonald
Malcolm John MacDonald OM, PC was a British politician and diplomat.-Background:MacDonald was the son of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald and Margaret MacDonald. Like his father he was born in Lossiemouth, Moray...
in a quarter-finals giant killing win over Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. The season also saw him set the club record for the longest run without conceding a goal.
Millington remained first choice goalkeeper ahead of Mike Craven until early in 1977–78
1977-78 in English football
The 1977–1978 season was the 98th season of competitive football in England, from August 1977 to May 1978:-First Division:Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest side took on the First Division by storm, by winning the League Cup on 22 March and confirming themselves as league champions the following month...
, when fellow Welshman Brian Lloyd
Brian Lloyd
Brian William Lloyd is a Welsh former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played 545 times in the Football League for five clubs and was capped three times by the Welsh national team....
was signed from Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
and Millington was to barely play for the next two years. However, he regained his place early in 1979–80
1979-80 in English football
The 1979–80 season was the 100th season of competitive football in England.- FA Cup :Second Division West Ham United, managed by John Lyall, won the FA Cup, beating Arsenal 1–0 with a Trevor Brooking goal...
and helped Chester reach the FA Cup fifth round. He was an ever-present in 1980–81
1980-81 in English football
The 1980–81 season was the 101st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League introduced a three points for a win system in place of the two points for a win system which had operated since the league's formation in 1889...
and the following season retained his club player of the season award despite Chester being relegated. This season saw Millington involved in a bizarre incident when a Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie with Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
was abandoned after he collided with a goalpost - which snapped in the process.
Later career
The 1982–831982-83 in English football
The 1982–83 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Bob Paisley's last season as Liverpool manager ended on a high as they topped the First Division with a comfortable lead. Bob Paisley retired as Liverpool manager with a record 21 prizes in nine years. His...
season saw Millington begin as regular goalkeeper for Chester, but an arm injury in a home defeat by Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in October 1982 marked the beginning of the end of his playing days with the club. Millington was released two months later but rejoined the club on non-contract terms in March 1983, combining being cover for Phil Harrington
Phil Harrington
Philip "Phil" Harrington is a Welsh goalkeeper and current manager of Douglas Hall in the Munster Senior League....
with a coaching role at the club. He played in the final game of the season, a 2–1 loss to Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, before joining non–league side Oswestry Town
Oswestry Town F.C.
Oswestry Town F.C. was a football club, formerly playing in the League of Wales.The club was founded as Oswestry United in 1860, which meant they were one of the world's oldest football clubs. Matches were latterly played at Park Hall stadium, Oswestry, after a spell at Victoria Road...
in the summer of 1983.
Millington returned to Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
circles the following season, when he made 13 league appearances for Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
. This brought the curtain down on his league career.
In the late 1990s, Millington became goalkeeping coach with both Wrexham and Chester and worked off and on for the latter until leaving in February 2006. He is now goalkeeping coach at Connah's Quay Nomads
Connah's Quay Nomads F.C.
Gap Connah's Quay F.C. is a football team, playing in the Cymru Alliance.gap Connah's Quay, formerly known as Connah's Quay Nomads FC, was the subject of a takeover from Welsh independent recruitment firm 'gap personnel' in June 2008....
and president of the Chester City Supporters Trust.
Honours
- Football League Division Four promotion as fourth placed team: 1974–751974-75 in English footballThe 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
, ChesterChester City F.C.Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi-finalists: 1974–751974-75 in English footballThe 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
, ChesterChester City F.C.Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. - Player of the Season: 1974–751974-75 in English footballThe 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
, 1980–811980-81 in English footballThe 1980–81 season was the 101st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League introduced a three points for a win system in place of the two points for a win system which had operated since the league's formation in 1889...
and 1981–821981-82 in English footballThe 1981–82 season was the 102nd season of competitive football in England.It was also the first season that the Three points for a win system was introduced.- First Division :Three points for a win was introduced for the first time in England...
, ChesterChester City F.C.Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. - Voted Chester City cult hero in December 2004 by viewers of the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
show Football FocusFootball FocusFootball Focus is a BBC television show, broadcast on BBC One on Saturday lunchtimes, covering football, presented from the 2009/2010 season by Dan Walker...
. - Became the first ever Hall of Fame inductee for the phoenix club Chester FC, formerly Chester City FC, and their supporter group owners City Fans United.