Bradford City top scorer Lee Mills has branded former club Port Vale's programme 'a disgrace' after an article slammed his style of play and accused him of a "a lack of brains".
The 28-year-old striker was also booed mercilessly by Vale fans last night but answered the taunts by scoring City's goal in a 1-1 draw which saw the Bantams move back into second position.
The Vale programme accused Mills of being a player who preferred "a gentle jog around the pitch while not getting involved in the nitty, gritty of the game".
It then added: "His passing was poor and his touch frequently awful....he was the butt of many donkey jokes in his time at the club."
Vale's Stewart Talbot also joked about Mills' "lack of brains" and added: "When it comes to conversation, you'd best leave him alone."
Mills said after the game: "I think it is an absolute disgrace. I gave my all for three years for Port Vale and that is the thanks I get.
"The fans booed me and I was disappointed with that. I suppose everyone has their own point of view. Port Vale have slaughtered me in their programme but I have got 24 goals and a £1 million price tag on my head this season so haven't done that badly.
"I would like to think our manager has been pleased with me and I think I have justified the fee. The manager saw it before the game and pointed it out to me."
City boss Paul Jewell added: "If he needed any more winding up then that was it."
Vale boss Brian Horton said he had not seen the article but admitted that it might have been an error of judgement.
However Horton was delighted with his side's battling display to bring City's three-game winning run to an end.
He said: "It was a cracking game which could have gone either way. I'm happy with a point against a very good side."
Asked who he thought would accompany Sunderland into the Premiership via automatic promotion, he said: "They both use very different systems. Bradford play with two wingers, which I like. Ipswich play with a sweeper and Jim Magilton sat just in front. I don't think I can call it but I know it will be close."
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article