Millwall midfielder Billy Mitchell bursting with pride at brother Zach’s Charlton breakthrough

Billy Mitchell has spoken of his pride at younger brother Zach breaking into Charlton’s first-team squad earlier this season.

The Addicks defender, 18, has made five appearances this season.

Mitchell’s last game at senior level was the 3-1 defeat to Stockport in the FA Cup in early December.

He has the advantage of being able to gain advice off his older sibling Billy, 21, who is only two games away from clocking up 100 for Millwall.

The Lions midfielder – asked about Zach – told the South London Press: “I’m really, really proud. Sometimes when we go out, your family is proud – you meet strangers and I end up coming up in conversation. You kind of cringe and think ‘ah, mum and dad, don’t talk about me like that’. But when Zach was making his debut, I remember being on the coach and just telling all of the lads after one of our games and whether they were interested or not, I genuinely couldn’t care – I was going to shove it in their face because that’s how proud I was. I wanted everyone to know.

“It was the only way I could begin to understand how other people felt about me, if that makes sense.

“The manager has been really good with him. He pulled him for a chat and said that in their current situation, and having a few players back, the game-time is going to be limited. You’re still going to train with us from time to time but you need to play in the U21s to make sure you get minutes.

“I said to Zach: ‘At least the manager has spoken to you’. A lot of managers maybe wouldn’t and you get bombed off about not knowing where you stand. I said to him: ‘You’ve made some appearances, that’s a good start, and you need to bide your time. You’re still very, very young – only just turned 18. I didn’t make an appearance until 18 and a few months, so you’re ahead of the curve.”

MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD

INSET: BRIAN TONKS