Former striker publishes science textbook
Former Port Vale striker Brian Mills has become possibly the only former professional footballer to publish a physics textbook.
Mills’ book “Physics calculations for GCSE & IGCSE” has just been published on Amazon and is available to buy through this link
I have always had a passion for Physics and Mathematical problems and became a teacher because I wanted to pass this passion onto others…
Mills, whose Vale career was sadly ended at the age of 21, is now Head of Physics at John Taylor High school. The 43 year-old told OVF: “The book is intended to improve Physics education and is set apart from others because of the depth and detail that goes into explaining each formula and the underlying Physics relevant to each one.
It also takes the time to actually explain the mathematics. It is brimming with thorough and clear explanations, practice questions, and answers to all questions are at the back of the book. The book is not just about helping students to be successful in their Physics examinations it is also about making them better Physicists and improving their skill set.”
He added: “I have always had a passion for Physics and Mathematical problems and became a teacher because I wanted to pass this passion onto others. I have always wanted to write a book and I felt the time was right and also that there was a gap in the market for what I wanted to do.”
Buy the book online
To purchase Brian Mills’ book “Physics calculations for GCSE & IGCSE” through Amazon please click on this link
Brian Mills bio
Striker Mills progressed through the youth ranks and made his debut aged 19 against Swindon Town, scoring two goals. His promise was such that he appeared for the England U19 team in the World Championships playing alongside the likes of Andy Cole, Lee Clark, Ian Walker and Alan Wright.
But Mills’ potential was sadly never to be fulfilled. Mills tells us that in 1992 “I woke up one morning and was not feeling well (they thought it was initially heat stroke). By the fourth day I could not get out of bed and could not move my toes. I was eventually diagnosed with transverse myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). They said that it was caused by a virus that got into the central nervous system.
“I initially recovered quickly and was walking about again and the specialist thought that I would be back playing after three months, but on the day that I got home I had a relapse which affected the power in my left leg (I was told that I may get worse before getting better due to the virus not having reached its peak).
I ended up back in hospital and was in a wheelchair for about six weeks and then had to learn to walk again. Port Vale kept me on for a further 15 months in the hope that I would get fit, but this did not happen. I was released by them in August 1993 and started at Stafford College in the September.”
He had made 23 appearances for Vale, scoring four goals.
Footage of Mills scoring for Vale against Notts County, 1991
Mills swapped sports and became the British and West Midlands bench press champion. He also progressed with his studying, qualifying as a teacher in 1998 and he is now Head of Physics at John Taylor High School.