Paul Mullin gives his first interview on making the decision to join Rotherham United, who were relegated from League One last season.
After a summer of concern, the wait for a new manager or new signings, this signing is finally something to get the fans excited.
The 31 year old experienced forward signs for the Millers on a two-year deal, subject to EFL and FA ratification as well as international clearance.
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Interviewer: Well, Paul, welcome to Rotherham United. Could you give us a bit of a background as to how you’ve ended up sat here today?
Paul Mullin: Oh, thank you. No, it’s been a long summer for me, just obviously after the last couple of years, it was just about taking me time and making sure something was right for me. My family to the next part of the chapter of of my career and Rotherham was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. spoke to the manager beforehand who obviously highlighted the plans he has for the club and that the people above him have for the club going forward and although it hasn’t been a great time the last couple of years we’ve all seen what can happen at this place once it takes off and hopefully this year we can get back going that way.
Interviewer: You mentioned it had to be right for you what was it that Alex Bruce said to you that ticked the boxes in your eyes
Paul Mullin: Just the way he wants to play the way he wants the team to be where he wants a real togetherness and a team that fight for each other and the fans we represent those people watching so we’ve got to go and do that and work as hard as we can and obviously we got to hopefully have a lot of quality within the squad and we can finish as high up the table and try to get promoted. That’s the aim.
Interviewer: The squad is a relatively young one overall and we’re not retiring you just yet. You’re only 31. But was the the fact that you can bring some experience to this side something the manager mentioned to you?
Paul Mullin: I’m still young. It’s obviously I’ve been around the game now for a number of years. I started quite young as well. So, to bring some experience to the team is obviously something that could be valuable and something I’m going to lean on and try to help the younger lads around me to get the best out of them because ultimately for me to perform to the best I can, I need everybody else to do the same to in order to create chances for me to score the goals that can hopefully stand in good stead.
Interviewer: One thing that stands out to us, and I’m sure will to the young lads in the team as well, the honours that you’ve achieved throughout your career, particularly at this level, is that something you’re really proud of and something you’re looking to build on?
Paul Mullin: Absolutely, every individual on it throughout my career is something I’ve been proud of, but only in the moment. You know, for me now, they’re all gone. It’s about trying to do it again. And this year is going to be like any other. I try to be successful as I can. And the last three times I’ve been in League Two, I’ve managed to get promoted every single one of them. So, this year is obviously going to be no different. That’s going to be the aim from the very start and and hopefully we can we can go and do that.
Interviewer: I was going to say, and I might put words in your mouth, we don’t know you yet, but you you kind of strike us as somebody that doesn’t let that hunger ever fade away. The fact that you’ve been there and done it is just kind of ambition to do a bit more.
Paul Mullin: Yeah, absolutely. I think going through me career, you always have people who doubt. You always have people who obviously want the other things apart from football that happened with myself. You always get the more people who come to the party who don’t want to see you do well and it’s more motivation to me to go and prove everyone wrong. Obviously, it’s been not, I wouldn’t say difficult, but different last couple of years after I had an injury and then just not playing as much as I’d like. So coming here it’s all about going and proving myself right again like I’ve done my whole career and go and prove other people wrong and enjoy it while while doing so and to enjoy it. That means you’re winning. So hopefully we can go and do that.
Interviewer: That desire to prove people wrong is obviously a big factor, but you’ve been nothing short of prolific at this level. What else do you think is the art to being successful at League Two level?
Paul Mullin: It’s consistency. It’s turning up every day and giving you giving you everything, to be all in on something and to not let anything Wayne from that any distractions get in the way of what’s ultimately important which is to get three points on a match day. You’ve all got to pull in the same direction and the gap fair is obviously big on creating togetherness here and and that’s something that is going to stand us in good stead hopefully
Interviewer: Because you’ve been such a staple of the EFL for many years now you someone that’s not too unfamiliar to Rotherham fans even be it from afar but for those that perhaps might not have seen you play how would you kind of describe the key aspects of your game?
Paul Mullin: I don’t really like speaking on it myself to be honest. It’s up for everybody else to form their opinion and see what they think. But somebody who works hard who who loves to score. But the goals don’t matter to me. It’s about winning. I want to win. No matter whether that’s me who scores or the goalkeeper off the last minute corner. It it really doesn’t matter. I just want to win. The winning feel and can’t be replicated anywhere else in life. And yeah, that that’s all I care about is winning football matches.
Interviewer: Because you’ve worked so hard to get where you are. Is kind of driving standards in training something that that’s big for you as well. you try and lift the other lads around you.
Paul Mullin: Yeah. Well, like everybody should be the same. Doesn’t matter how old they are, where I’ve been, or what’s been achieved for anyone in the past. It’s all about driving each other to do better. And that is something that is part of my personality to help, but also to push people and and challenge them to get the best out themselves, but equally, I expect them to do that to me and I want them to raise me and hopefully take me further forward as well.
Interviewer: Speaking to you, it sounds like the sky’s the limit and you perhaps won’t put targets on things, but do you have anything personal in mind that you’d like to achieve this season and whether you want to share that or otherwise?
Paul Mullin: To enjoy football and to enjoy it with me and winning and that’s the only aim I have.
Interviewer: The good thing about signing now is of course you’re thrust straight into action as friendlies coming up and the leagues and league cup fixtures aren’t too far away. How have you kind of kept yourself ticking over the last few weeks and months?
Paul Mullin: Yeah, obviously through the offseason it’s you’d be unprofessional if you didn’t keep fit. So I’m really fit. It’s just obviously not playing with the football in a group team environment for a while, which is something that’s going to take hopefully a couple of days. You know, it’s it’s something I’ve done my whole life. I know how to play football. It’s just getting the body used to it again and hopefully it’s it’s as quick as possible.
Interviewer: You’ve had a whirlwind meeting about 20 people in about seven minutes in the last hour or so. One of those was Ross who’s the head of performance here. Has he outlined kind of the the physical plan as you mentioned the mile run that you might have seen on our socials over the last couple of weeks?
Paul Mullin: No, we didn’t mention any specific runs, but I know he wants to make sure that I can get back into ball work and get back part of the group as quickly as possible to obviously build bonds with them, but also to get ready for the season ahead, which is going to be a tough one. But yeah, it’s whatever the work is I need to do to be ready. I’m willing to do it all.
Interviewer: And finally, a nice really cringy one to finish this one and feel free to ask us to edit it out. But you’ve kind of conquered Hollywood. Is Rotherham’s New York the next logical step?
Paul Mullin: I wouldn’t say conquered, but maybe one day. We’ll see.
Here’s how fans reacted as Paul Mullin gives his first interview on the decision to join Rotherham United…
@kevjohnson77: I’ve been ultra critical BUT this is a very good signing
@Huddy1993: Say what you want about transfer window, but Bruce has significantly improved our team with the signings him/ McLaren have brought in! Yes we need players in but nice to see we’re not just singing anyone! Excited about this signing! UTM!
@CraigyBoyBes: Fantastic business. Finally some optimism going forward. Put the ball in the box & this guy will score bucket loads. Well done Millers (can’t remember the last time I said that) #rufc
@RobRyanRed: All the best to Mulls. Won’t find a Wrexham fan that isn’t hoping he re-finds his groove now he’s got a new club 💪 #WxmAFC
@__IrufcI__: Not having his legs have gone, he’s been a bit part bench player not match fit since Wrexham got to L1, he’s never been L1 level always been L2 and below. At this level he’s never not been lethal, he guarantees goals, give him service he gets 20+ all day. #RUFC
@smith98_josh: Guaranteed goals at this level, if he gets the service. All our signings up to now have been very good, just need to crack on with a few more now. #rufc
@The_RUFC: Following in the footsteps of his dad Johnny and his Uncle John 🙌🏻 #RUFC
@Hannn_95x: Should be a real coup for league 2 #rufc
@rufcmiller89: I’m always happy to criticise those upstairs but whoever was involved in signing Mullin, fair play #rufc
@rufc__cal: i know signings have been slow, and we need about 8 more players, but credit where credit is due, these signings so far seem to be solid. definitely top 6 players we’ve signed, just need to build rest of the squad. weary that none will be gelled when season comes tho. #rufc
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