South London’s Mitchell Brothers – Charlton’s Zach and Millwall’s Billy – have dream of playing in same team

There are new Mitchell Brothers in town – but Zach and Billy are very unlikely to ever be feuding like their Albert Square counterparts despite being at rival South London clubs.

Zach, 17, is an emerging talent at Charlton Athletic who has made his first-team breakthrough this season.

The centre-back signed a three-year professional deal in July and has made five senior appearances, including back-to-back starts in the Addicks’ most recent matches.

Big brother Billy, 21, is further along his football pathway. Firmly established as a fixture in Millwall’s midfield, he is seven games away from racking up a century.

“We’re very close,” said Zach. “A lot of people say ‘wouldn’t it be great to play against each other?’ But we’ve always talked about the best thing being if we could play together at some stage in our careers – it’s quite hard considering we’re at Charlton and Millwall.

“I definitely owe a lot of my success to him. He’s always been that figure to look up to and I can always go to him for advice. He understands the journey because he has experienced every step.

“My parents always joked about him never being easy on me, he’d have the ball and make me go and get it off him. Stuff like that helps build that competitiveness. I’m not saying I would shy away from playing against him – I’d definitely love that as well.

“He has given me tips and they are not all on the pitch. It is also about professionalism – being punctual and being kind to all the staff so that they get to know you.

“He’s told me to go out and give my all every day when I train.”

Both siblings have the support of dad Paul, who played non-league for Thamesmead Town, and mum Emma.

“If we did play against each other they wouldn’t know what to do,” said Zach. “They’d be supporting Billy at one point and then shouting at me to do well.

“I’m really grateful for their support. My dad was a semi-professional and he’ll give me the right information after a game – quite critical but in a positive sense to try and get the best out of me.

“My mum is always there for emotional support. They are both at a lot of the games – they travel.”

Mitchell earned the admiration of then Charlton boss Ben Garner for how he reacted to making a mistake that led to a goal in the 3-2 EFL Trophy loss at Plymouth in late November.

“In the opening of that game I thought I was doing quite well,” said Mitchell, who was signed by the Addicks at U7 level. “So when that happens it does knock you back a bit. But then you try and recompose.

“I just said to myself that no-one is going to remember you if you just shy away from the challenge and that nobody is going to be impressed if you just pass it side to side all the time.

“I kept trying to get on the ball and do something different, whether that is driving in or playing a longer ball, as well as really focusing on the defending side.

“It is almost a blessing in disguise that it happened because you sort of test yourself, in terms of how you react. It definitely was a good challenge and I came out of it stronger. I’d love to keep staying around the first team. We’ve got a few injured players close to coming back and I’m trying to make my mark while I’m here.”

Mitchell flitted between midfield and defence until his scholarship years. But last season the club’s U21s would play a back five and he would join the midfield when the team were in possession.

His displays for Hamza Serrar’s title-winning side helped earn a long-term professional contract.

“Being here so long made it mean that little bit more,” said Mitchell, who played for Junior Reds and Phoenix. “Getting that deal is probably the first proper starting point in your career.

“It was a bit of a no-brainer to sign it. I’ve enjoyed every minute at this club. All the coaches over the years have added something a bit different.

“But in that scholarship phase Hamza was pivotal in teaching me certain tactics and developing me in that centre-back role, nailing down on those defensive qualities along with Steve Avory.

“At the start of last season it was about my body shape when I was marking in the box. When I first got put in the role I was perhaps focusing on the ball too much.

“Steve Avory is really keen on the one-v-one defending and heading, all the finer aspects.

“Jason Pearce has come into the coaching now, watching players who are in your own first-team is definitely helpful.”