Michael Millett
Encyclopedia
Michael Millett was an English
footballer who played for Wigan Athletic
. Millett was regarded as a talented youngster who could play in defence or midfield. He had represented England
at U16 and U18 level, and made his first-team debut for Wigan towards the end of the 1994-95
season. He played three league games and one League Cup
match for the Latics.
On 21 September 1995, one day before his 18th birthday, Millett was killed in a car crash near Garswood
, Merseyside
. According to Graham Barrow
, Wigan's manager at the time, "Michael was a real talent and as far as football goes it was not a case of if he'd make it, but when. I could tell from my very early days at the club that he was going to be a very good player."
The starlet’s car was heading south towards Leyland Green at around 13.30 before ploughing into a tree on Winstanley Road at Garswood.
Graham Barrow was the man in charge of the Latics at the time and he said: “It was just devastating. I gave the players the afternoon off and I then got a call at teatime to tell me that Michael had been killed outright.
“Michael was a real talent and as far as football goes it was not a case of if he’d make it, but when. I could tell from my very early days at the club that he was going to be a very good player.”
Former team-mate and fans’ favourite Roberto Martinez was also upset by the tragedy. Matinez commented: “I remember I got into training and Graham Barrow was crying. He said training was cancelled and told everyone of the devastating news of what had happened to Michael and we all broke down in tears.
“As soon as I saw Michael play I could see what a fantastic prospect he was. He was just about to become a regular in our first team. He was someone you would describe as a complete midfield player and he would have gone all the way to the top.
“He was a very quiet lad, but he had the right attitude and a great future ahead of him.”
The Latics observed a minutes silence ahead of a 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at Springfield Park, just two days after Michael’s death.
Tributes to Michael Millett from 1995.
“Michael was someone who had everything going for him.” Brenda Spencer
“Thank you Michael for the privilege of working with you for eight wonderful years. It’s the manner in which he went about his business which is impossible to replace.” David Crompton.
“It goes beyond football and puts everything into perspective.” Neill Rimmer.
“Michael was real quality I everything he did.” Alex Cribley.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who played for Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
. Millett was regarded as a talented youngster who could play in defence or midfield. He had represented England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at U16 and U18 level, and made his first-team debut for Wigan towards the end of the 1994-95
1994-95 in English football
-Premiership:Blackburn Rovers ended their 81-year wait for the league title thanks to the strike partnership of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton which scored a total of more than 50 league goals. Manchester United would have made it three league titles in a row if they had been able to turn a 1-1 draw...
season. He played three league games and one 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...
match for the Latics.
On 21 September 1995, one day before his 18th birthday, Millett was killed in a car crash near Garswood
Garswood
Garswood is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside, England, within a civil parish called Seneley Green.-History:Historically within Lancashire, Garswood is from Old English wudu "wood" with an uncertain first element...
, Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
. According to Graham Barrow
Graham Barrow
Graham Barrow is an English former footballer who has since become a lower division manager. He is currently part of the coaching staff at Premier League side Wigan Athletic, where he has previously been both a player and manager.-Barrow the Player:Barrow first entered the Football League at the...
, Wigan's manager at the time, "Michael was a real talent and as far as football goes it was not a case of if he'd make it, but when. I could tell from my very early days at the club that he was going to be a very good player."
The starlet’s car was heading south towards Leyland Green at around 13.30 before ploughing into a tree on Winstanley Road at Garswood.
Graham Barrow was the man in charge of the Latics at the time and he said: “It was just devastating. I gave the players the afternoon off and I then got a call at teatime to tell me that Michael had been killed outright.
“Michael was a real talent and as far as football goes it was not a case of if he’d make it, but when. I could tell from my very early days at the club that he was going to be a very good player.”
Former team-mate and fans’ favourite Roberto Martinez was also upset by the tragedy. Matinez commented: “I remember I got into training and Graham Barrow was crying. He said training was cancelled and told everyone of the devastating news of what had happened to Michael and we all broke down in tears.
“As soon as I saw Michael play I could see what a fantastic prospect he was. He was just about to become a regular in our first team. He was someone you would describe as a complete midfield player and he would have gone all the way to the top.
“He was a very quiet lad, but he had the right attitude and a great future ahead of him.”
The Latics observed a minutes silence ahead of a 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at Springfield Park, just two days after Michael’s death.
Tributes to Michael Millett from 1995.
“Michael was someone who had everything going for him.” Brenda Spencer
“Thank you Michael for the privilege of working with you for eight wonderful years. It’s the manner in which he went about his business which is impossible to replace.” David Crompton.
“It goes beyond football and puts everything into perspective.” Neill Rimmer.
“Michael was real quality I everything he did.” Alex Cribley.