Had the 1982 World Cup started a couple of weeks later, it would have been Kevin Keegan leading England out for their opening match against France.

Alas, injury meant King Kev wasn't ready in time - leaving 33-year-old Mick Mills to step into his shoes and proudly wear the captain's armband.

After failures to qualify in 1974 and 1978, Mills came from the generation who feared they would never play in a World Cup for England.

Instead he ended up the skipper, picked by Ron Greenwood ahead of some very strong candidates.

"When it became clear Kevin wouldn't be fit in time, I thought I might have a chance of being captain but there were a number of people in the running," recalls Mills.

"Phil Thompson was captain of Liverpool at the time, Ray Wilkins and Bryan Robson were both younger but very experienced and Peter Shilton had the respect of everyone.

"I had been stand-in captain for Ron in three previous games and had an excellent relationship with the manager but it was still a tremendous thrill to be asked to be captain for a World Cup campaign."

Mills, who was capped 42 times by England and was equally at home playing right-back or left-back, was a quiet and dignified captain.

He led by example which made him a rarity in an England line-up full of 'shouters!'

"It was very much a verbal team," says Mills with a smile. "I think players generally were more vocal in those days than they are now.

"You had Phil Thompson and Bryan Robson leading the way and our centre-forward Paul Mariner was a very big voice in the dressing-room as well.

"Paul was a team-mate of mine at Ipswich and used to wind up the opposition by hammering on their changing-room door shouting 'we are going to get you' as he walked past down the tunnel.

"It has to be said in that company, I used to struggle to get a word in!"

The anticipation for England's first match in 1982 reached fever pitch as the public hadn't seen us in a World Cup for 12 years.

But the tension evaporated when Bryan Robson scored the quickest goal in World Cup history after 27 seconds against the French.

"The amazing thing about that goal is that it came from a move we had rehearsed on the training ground - but from the other side of the field.

"The way we planned it Kenny Sansom would fire in his famed long throw from the left, Terry Butcher would flick on and Robbo would steam in and shoot.

"But our first throw came on the other side. Steve Coppell played the Kenny Sansom role and his throw was played onto Robbo who shot home."

England qualified from their group with maximum points but in those days the second phase was played in groups of three. After a goalless draw against Germany, England needed to beat Spain by two clear goals - and were bitterly disappointed to bow out after another 0-0 draw, with the returning Keegan coming on as sub and missing a late header.

"We felt Brazil were the one outstanding team in the tournament and we couldn't believe it when they went out in the afternoon against Italy just before we were due to play Spain," says Mills.

"That gave us a real boost - we felt with Brazil eliminated, we could get to the final. Our defence was really tight, we conceded one goal in five matches, but the way the tournament was organised counted against us.

"If it had been straight knock out like it is now, I think we would have got to the final because we didn't feel any team other than Brazil would be favourites to beat us."

Mills, whose management career included spells at Stoke City and Birmingham City, is still a regular visitor to Portman Road and is now a partner in Galaxy Sports, a players' management company.

He still keeps fit which means his waistline is only slightly broader than 1982. "I suppose the one who has changed most is Kenny Sansom," he remarks.

"He used to be such a fit lad but I'm sure he won't mind me saying, he has put a bit of weight on since then!"

England's 1982 World Cup Squad

Ray Clemence, Peter Shilton, Joe Corrigan, Mick Mills, Viv Anderson, Phil Neal, Terry Butcher, Phil Thomson, Steve Foster, Kenny Sansom, Graham Rix, Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins, Terry McDermott, Glenn Hoddle, Steve Coppell, Trevor Brooking, Trevor Francis, Paul Mariner, Tony Woodcock, Peter Withe, Kevin Keegan

England's 1982 World Cup Results

First Phase - Group 4
England 3 (Robson 2, Mariner) France 1
England 2 (Francis, Barmos og) Czechoslovakia 0
England 1 (Francis) Kuwait 0
England qualified as group winners

Second Phase - Group B

England 0 West Germany 0
England 0 Spain 0
England eliminated, West Germany progress to the semi-finals