Remorseful Mills seeks Royal pardon

Anthony Smith • Published 18 Mar 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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MATT Mills has issued an emotional apology to Royals fans and admitted there was "no excuse" for his actions on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old has been fined and disciplined by the club for his behaviour in the closing stages of the 1-0 home victory against QPR.

Frustrated Reading fans booed Mills when a few passes went astray with the game still goalless.

The centre-back snapped and made an obscene gesture towards a section of the east stand crowd where most of the abuse came from.

The defender then refused to join in the goal celebrations when Gylfi Sigurdsson netted a dramatic 86th minute penalty.

He also sprinted straight down the tunnel at the final whistle without shaking anyone's hands or acknowledging the fans.

Mills had his knuckles wrapped by boss brian McDermott and has now apologised unreservedly, saying: "There are no excuses for what I did and I'm sorry for my reaction. I was out of order.

"I didn't sleep, nothing like that has happened to me before, and I was wrong. I've been around the game long enough to know that shouldn't happen.

"The manager spoke to me and told me it was unacceptable - which I agree with and I knew that straight away after the final whistle.

"He was brilliant with me after the game - he said all the right things and he's really clamped down on it. It won't happen again.

"I feel like I've let a lot of people down - Brian especially. He was the person who put me in the team and gave me a run of games.

"He was the one who gave me the captain's armband, which was a massive goal of mine when I joined Reading. Now, the only way I can repay him is to keep performing for him."

And he added: "Around 99.999% of the fans were great last night, but there was one moment in the game when the frustration that was building amongst the fans and in myself came together.

"I've been a fan, watching games like that - when it's 0-0 and a team is down to ten men - and everybody really wants that goal. I was no different.

"And if we want to get to where we want to get, I know we need our fans. They have been great with me since I arrived here and it makes such a huge difference when they are on our side.

"The boys have put a number of good performances in back to back and, although I don't know the figures, it feels like the attendances have grown because the atmosphere certainly has.

"Like any player, I like to be liked. I play with my heart on my sleeve and I always guarantee 110%. I'll always put my body on the line to get the three points - because no-one wants to win more than me.

"But I know now that I have to prove myself all over again with the fans. Hopefully, I'll be able to win them back."

Royals fans, perhaps realising the criticism had upset Mill, responded by chanting his name in support at the end of the game as McDermott's men secured their eighth Championship win in nine matches.

"It was no disrespect to those who were singing my name when I went straight in after the final whistle," Mills explained. "It was just a time when I wanted be by myself.

"The badge on your shirt and the team you play for is what matters. It's a massive honour to represent Reading and to react how I did doesn't put myself nor the club in a good light.

"So I just want to apologise to the fans, the club and everybody here."

McDermott immediately reprimanded Mills but his place in the team is not in jeopardy and he will almost certainly start at Middlesbrough this Saturday (3pm).

McDermott stated: "Everybody at the club understands who pays our wages and gives us the support we so value.

"Matt is deeply disappointed but at the same time, I'm sure the fans appreciate that he is a young guy.

"What he did was unacceptable but it happened in the heat of the moment and was borne out of the frustration of trying to get that winning goal."

And he stressed: "I am sure the fans won't lose track of the fact that Matt has played a massive role in our recent great run.

"Here at Reading we pride ourselves on our professional manner, both on and off the pitch. We have taken disciplinary measures and Matt is fully accepting of mine and the club's position. Now we move forward."

**** ROYALS right-back Julian Kelly, 20, has extended his loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers until the end of the season****

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