Barry Mills, 1947-2025 - The Hockey Museum

The Hockey Museum » Obituaries » Barry Mills, 1947-2025

Barry Mills, 1947-2025

June 11, 2025

An elderly man, balding with grey tufts of hair above his ears, sits on a bench in the sunshine with a large brown dog. The man is smiling, wearing a yellow polo shirt and grey shorts.

17.08.1947-25.05.2025

The Hockey Museum (THM) is saddened to report the passing of Barry Mills following a long battle with cancer.

Barry represented England at indoor hockey between 1975-1983, earning 56 international caps and scoring an impressive 40 goals. He later coached the England Under 21s indoor team.

He played for the South (outdoor) and also won two Hockey Association County Championship titles with Kent in 1975 and 1979. He played for Beckenham Hockey Club, featuring in their first team for over 20 years, including two years as captain, before joining their veterans’ side (later Bromley & Beckenham HC) for a further 38 years.

Black and white photograph of a group of young men in white tops and dark shorts and socks. They sit in a row, diagonally from bottom left of the photograph to top right, looking up to a standing man who is giving a team talk.

Two rows of men pose for a team photograph on a grass hockey pitch in front of the goal. They are wearing dark shirts and holding either hockey sticks or hockey stick bags with the logo of manufacturer Mercian Sports and their team Kent.

Barry was a keen social hockey player. He played for many prestigious touring and occasional sides including Ladykillers (for more than 50 years), Puritans, Chimps and Members hockey clubs with whom he travelled globally. He also played Masters hockey for England, travelling extensively and last featuring for the Over 75s age group.

Bromley & Beckenham HC remember Barry’s talent and generous personality:

“Apart from his outstanding play he was the most friendly and sociable member of the club, very welcoming to new members and always ready with advice. He was undoubtedly one of the best players to ever play for the club.”

THM President & Hon. Curator Mike Smith recalls Barry as a legend of his era.

THM Trustee Tochi Panesar said:

“Barry was a good hockey friend and a fine hockey player, in my view one of the best who transferred indoor hockey tackling skills to his outdoor game – a solid tackler! He was always fun to have a drink with after a match.

We always enjoyed his games against [my club] Spencer and the post-match socials afterwards. He will be missed by the hockey family – rest in peace, friend. God Bless.”

With thanks to Bromley & Beckenham Hockey Club for their support with this obituary. Their tribute to Barry Mills can found on the club website.

Sad news on the passing of long standing member – Barry Norman Frederick Mills