ENGLAND international Danny Mills has come out in defence of football's tarnished reputation, insisting players are generally better behaved than they were when he first came into the game.

Right-back Mills, on loan to Middlesbrough from Leeds for the season with a view to a permanent deal, is a fierce competitor on the pitch.

But it is the conduct of some players off the field, highlighted again by the serious sex charges levelled at Leicester's Paul Dickov, Keith Gillespie and Frank Sinclair in Spain, that has reopened the debate about football's image.

Mills, 26, is doing much to redress the balance by fronting a campaign by national charity ASBAH (Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus) in a bid to raise £300,000.

He lost son Archie due to the condition in November 2002, five months into wife Lisa's pregnancy.

Mills said: "The way football has changed over the last five or ten years, we are now under the media spotlight more than ever.

"Every part of our lives is scrutinised and criticised to a certain degree. We now have to be whiter than white. I read where footballers had been out drinking and were absolutely slaughtered for it.

"Five years ago this was the norm and it wasn't a problem. I think standards of behaviour are probably better now. In the overall picture, I think players are more disciplined and better behaved.

"Unfortunately, you get one or two cases that are blown out of all proportion and spoil that.

"It was a culture when I first got involved as an apprentice. Lads would be out on a Wednesday, straight in the bar after a game, and straight in the bar again after a match on a Saturday, and out until the early hours of Sunday morning. That was week-in, week-out, but because everyone was doing it, it was accepted.

"But you can't get away with that anymore and money has had an influence. People expect us to be in prime condition all the time.''

Mills added: "Of course, there are things players do that they shouldn't do. You have to take it upon yourself to be responsible.

"From time to time you let your hair down and maybe do something you shouldn't.

"But I think, in general, as long as it stays like that, it's not a problem. Some people overstep the mark and they have to be dealt with. You know your responsibilities to your club and the fans.

"We're only human and we're young lads enjoying life, and sometimes we're going to make mistakes.''