Big Jim

One of the greatest rugby league forwards with a ferocious reputation, Jim Mills was the archetypal enforcer for Great Britain, Wales, Widnes, Bradford, Halifax, North Sydney, Workington and Salford. In 'Big Jim', Jim Mills relates his career from his early days in Rugby Union with Cardiff then his move north to join Halifax in 1965 as a rakish 21 year old who impressed on the rugby league scene with his combination of power, pace and skill. After three seasons at Halifax, Jim had a short stint at Salford before joining Bradford Northern where he earned the first of 17 caps for Wales. Impressing at international level, Jim moved 'down under' in 1970, signing for North Sydney in the ARL then returned to the England in 1972 to join the phenomenal Widnes side under legendary coach Vince Karalius. At the peak of his form with Widnes, Jim was selected for the Great Britain team that toured Australia in 1974. In 1975 Jim moved to Workington Town before returning to Widnes in 1977 where he stayed until ending his career in 1980. On the pitch, Jim loved to 'mix it' with the opposition forwards and was often the first in the bath after a dismissal by the referee.
Indeed, his international appearances were limited by his controversial disciplinary record with several bans putting him out of the reckoning for selection. Loved by his own team's fans and hated - and feared - by the opposition, Jim established himself as one of the all time great forwards, and one of the top characters in rugby league ever.