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sTaMp of sHaME forGivEn,
BUT noT forGoTTEn
Big Jim Mills was Wales went on to win that It seemed the incident my life. To this day, I still cannot
caught up in a huge Rugby League international in had been consigned to its understand why I did it.
controversy when 1975 by just one point - 23-22 unsavoury history until one
he stamped on - but the result slipped from day, out of the blue, the former “But to have him come over
new Zealander Jim the radar once the injury to Welsh international prop here and offer me the hand of
Greengrass’ head in Greengrass was uncovered. received a call on a fuzzy line. friendship after all this time
swansea – and three He thought he heard someone meant a lot to me. I didn’t just
decades on he still does As Greengrass, now 60 years laughing on the other end - and upset John and New Zealand, I
not know why he did it. old, went over for a try, Mills put the phone down. upset a lot of people.”
landed the blow with his right
Unsurprisingly the famous foot to the player’s head. Unknown to him, though, it Those included his own team-
incident started 33 years of was Greengrass who was in mates who could not believe
silence between the two men - After a blood-soaked towel Britain visiting his son - and he what he had done after the
until this summer. was removed from his skull, wanted to bury the hatchet, match.
there was a gaping wound having got Mills’ number from
But now, Mills and Greengrass which needed 15 stitches to fellow Aussie and former There has been a lot of water
have become the best of friends correct. Widnes coach Frank Endacott. under the bridge since then
even though the Kiwi still has and Mills now splits his time
the scar of that day ingrained on Cwmbach-born hard man Mills They met in Cheshire for the between living in the north of
his head. was no stranger to the early first time since the stamping, England and a house he has next
bath but all of his sendings- and, when they parted after a to Valderrama golf course in
Like some of the sporting out- off during the 1970s were for couple of days together, both Spain.
takes that crop up from time to punching or fighting. these men of rugby league had
time on TV, the grainy black and tears in their eyes. “John is a really nice lad and we
white shots of that moment of This was different and he got on really well together when
madness is still played around was banned for six months Mills, 63, said, “I’ve always he was here. We like the same
New Zealand when their rugby by Rugby League’s authorities wanted to apologise and shake sort of humour. He wanted to
league presenters look at their and also banned for life from hands with him. I’m happy now see Wales before he left so he
worst incidents in the sport. playing in New Zealand. that he’s forgiven me. It has stayed at my mate’s guest house
settled my mind. in Conwy,” added Mills.
“He has even invited me over “When he left, the wives said:
to New Zealand to visit and I ‘Look at the big softies - they
probably will go there in a few both have got tears in their
years.” eyes’.”
Greengrass, who never played The Mills tradition still remains
for the Kiwis again after that within rugby league as his son,
international, admitted he was David, is a prop forward for
very bitter towards Mills in the Super League side Hull Kingston
years that followed. Rovers.
However, he said, “Life’s too Now, though, Big Jim can put the
short to bear grudges. I’d have past 30 years behind him, having
been very disappointed to have buried the hatchet, and look
come all this way to Britain and forward to a global friendship in
not met Jim.” his later years.
Jim Mills (right) puts his arm around New Mills admitted, “I know I was He said, “John rang me before
Zealander Jim Greengrass, whom he sent off a few times during he left in July and I said I’d ring
Jim Mills
stamped on in Swansea in 1975 my career but I had never him from Spain. I think I have a
kicked anyone in the head in friend for life now.”
SW
rugby league
words Gary Baker
35
sportingwales
issue3twothousand&eight
SW_Issue3.indd 35 30/7/08 11:13:49
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