 Mills took over as player-manager at King's Lynn in September 1998 and was sent off on his playing debut, a 3–2 away defeat to Worcester City in the Southern League Premier Division on 26 September.His first goal for the club came after shooting into the bottom corner from a Lee Wilson back-heel in a 3–3 home draw with Salisbury City on 6 March 1999.He made 30 appearances and scored 1 goal in 1998–99, as his team finished 10th in the Southern League Premier Division.