45
ULSTER
RUGBY
ROBERT HUGH BROWN MILLS
ROBERT HUGH BROWN MILLS:
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
A national daily paper reported: “Mills was
famed for his powerful burst and was more
likely to run through opponents than around
them.” But unfortunately an injury forced
him to retire from playing in 1938.
He then became a referee for a number
of years and at this time became involved
in the club’s administration. He was
treasurer for 20 years, fixtures secretary
for seven years and he spent four years as
President and he has remained a patron of
Dungannon RFC since 1991.
He was appointed club representative
on the IRFU Ulster Branch committee in
1957/58 and subsequently took up the role
as President in 1964/65. Bobby and his late
wife Sadie not only supported Dungannon
and Ulster, they travelled worldwide
Bobby began his rugby career at Dungannon Technicial College
where he played for the school and the town team at the age of 16,
playing his first Towns Cup match in the 1929/30 season.
supporting Ireland, Australia and especially
New Zealand – where he was well received
due to the Dungannon connections with
the Dilworth College Pupil Exchange
Scheme with Royal School Dungannon
and the Ranfurly Shield Competition. This
competition was founded by the Earl of
Ranfurly who was Governor General of New
Zealand. Prior to going to New Zealand the
Earl was President of Dungannon RFC from
1873 to 1897.
Bobby is highly respected and an absolute
gentleman, a true friend to everyone and he
can be summed up in three words from a
well-known song… Simply the Best!
D.A Crawford
//
Past President
IRFU (Ulster Branch) & Dungannon RFC
