Rotherham United captain Paul Mullin reveals his inspiration in 2026-27 - and message to any critics

Rotherham United’s recent signing and newly-confirmed captain has heard the above comment more times than he cares to mention.

And he raises a little smile to himself in the process.

Unquestionably, the striker’s reputation at fourth-tier level precedes him.

The Merseysider has been promoted three times from League Two with three different clubs in Tranmere Rovers (2018-19), Cambridge United (2020-21) and Wrexham (2023-24).

In that aforesaid campaign at Cambridge, Mullin claimed the divisional golden boot with 32 goals and the League Two player of the season award, while also being named in the team of the season.

He struck 24 times in Wrexham’s elevation to League One three seasons later and was again named in the division’s yearly line-up. His numbers in the Conference with the Red Dragons aren’t too shabby either.

Despite his outstanding feats - he struck 110 times in 172 appearances at Wrexham - there remains a disparaging perception that League One is not Mullin’s level, given his numbers there.

It’s a tainted one in fairness.

Mullin’s starts at Wrexham in 2024-25 followed spinal surgery in the close season.

His loan spell in the opening half of last term at Wigan Athletic saw him make just seven starts.

Three of his four goals came when he started, while he was afforded just two outings from the off at Bradford City after joining them on loan in late January.

Nevertheless, the dismissive talk about Mullin’s prowess in League One provides a bit of fuel to his fire ahead of his latest mission with the Millers, who kick off their first campaign in League Two circles since 2012-13 at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Mullin told The Yorkshire Post: "Everyone in life likes to move the goalposts, but I've been promoted to League One three times, so it wasn't a coincidence…

"Through times in League One, I think I could have done better. But there's also a lot of circumstances involved.

"I was fresh off a surgery when we went there with Wrexham and then I think I only started nine games.

"It was hard to get back to the level when I hadn't played for probably five months after the op.

"It's just the way it is and I understand people's views or whatever, but to be honest, I couldn't really care less about them.

"I want to do well and play for Rotherham. I want to get them promoted if possible and then go and enjoy a season in League One with a new home and a new team and it'd be brilliant."

Dealing with noise is nothing new to Mullin. Given his statistics at this level, he has a bit of a target on his back.

Should the goals not flow, he is sure to hear plenty about it from opposing fans.

He might just hear it in any case, because rival club followers are entitled to be a bit wary of him in terms of his League Two record.

Anything to try and put him off and get in his head a bit.

Again, any such talk is dismissed with a wry smile.

Mullin continued: "It makes me laugh. I don't know what they’d gain from it, to be honest because it never affects anybody.

"I don't know one player who it's ever affected, to be honest. But I see it as fun.

"I go to football matches and I've been a Liverpool fan for my whole life and I'm pretty sure when I was younger, I was probably guilty of doing the same thing.

"It's part and parcel of football and I see it as fun and as long as they give it, but they can take it back, it's all fun and games."

On the Rotherham side, Mullin’s signing has generated some discernible - and much-needed - optimism among a fanbase desperate for something positive to hang their hats onto after an awful past three seasons, in truth.

A senior professional who has seen a fair bit, the 31-year-old may have only been at the club for a short time, but he senses that yearning for better times as he strives to write another storied chapter in his eventful career.

Mullin added: "The desperation all around is going to be within the changing rooms and the whole club too. It's not just the fans who feel it.

"Obviously you've got players here who've been here for a while and have been through the journey, but they're equally determined to get back there (to League One).

"Nobody feels it more than the players. I know it's easy to say once you're a player, but it's so true, we have to live it 24/7 every single day of our lives.

"We've got to live and breathe football the whole season to try to make it a successful one."