Stratford Dolphins legend remembered as a fun loving larrikin

A Queensland soccer community has been rocked by the death of a club legend after he was killed in a freak accident while walking along a street.

THE Cairns soccer community has been rocked by the death of a Stratford Dolphins Football Club legend after a freak accident at Lower Freshwater Road on Friday.

Dennis Mills (Millsy) was walking along the Kamerunga street on Friday afternoon when he was hit by a passing car.

He was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

Mr Mills was 49-years-old.

Stratford Dolphins Football Club member Dennis Mills (Millsy) in action on the field. Picture: Facebook

Nqpetro boilermaker Dennis Mills (Millsy) died in an accident on lower Freshwater Road on Friday.

MORE NEWS

Forgotten power plant hidden under Barron Falls

In memory: Far Northerners we farewelled in 2020

‘An aircraft just crashed’: 45 years on from tragedy

Shocked by news of the accident Dolphin’s club president Fred Fabris said Mr Mills was his first coach when he came to the club 20 years ago.

A key manager and coach at the club for more than two decades Mr Mills would be impossible to replace.

“He was someone always involved with the club. People come and go but it’s a big thing for clubs to have someone you can rely on,” he said.

“(The club) will be looking to do a bit of a tribute and we will discuss what’s appropriate but at this point in time we are still taking it in.”

Stratford Dolphins Football Club member Dennis Mills (Millsy) is being remembered as a fun loving larrikin.

Described as a good hearted person the Nqpetro boilermaker and truck technician was a trusted and loved club member.

“He was definitely a bit of larrikin he was always having a good laugh,” he said.

“He was always fun to be around and definitely committed to the game.

“ (Mr Mills) dedicated so much of his life to football and our great club that we will forever be in his debt and he simply cannot be replaced.”

The 35-year-old male driver of the Nissan Navara involved in the incident was not injured.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

Mr Fabris said his thoughts go out to Mr Mills’ partner and two children.

“I have never heard him raise his voice in my 20 years at the club. He was definitely approachable and was always lighthearted and he was a person that was fun to be around,” he said.

Originally published as Stratford Dolphins legend remembered as a fun loving larrikin