 He was appointed as manager of Conference North club Alfreton Town on 25 May 2005 on a three-year contract, becoming the first full-time manager in the club's history.Alfreton went into 2005–06 with a reduced playing budget and Mills was able to keep the club on an even keel.His first match as Alfreton manager was a 2–1 home defeat to Vauxhall Motors on 13 August 2005, and having flirted with relegation the team finished the season in 17th place in the Conference North.