Mills was given time to rebuild the squad over the summer of 2008, bringing in players like Bradley Pritchard, Alex Rodman, Chris Smith, Tom Shaw and Michael Wylde. He was named the Conference North Manager of the Month for September 2008, in which Tamworth achieved three straight league wins following a draw away to in-form Alfreton. He won the award again for March 2009 after Tamworth were top of the table with five wins and two draws, including a 1–0 victory away to title rivals Southport. Mills led Tamworth to promotion back to the Conference Premier after winning the Conference North title in 2008–09 and this was confirmed with a 1–0 victory over local rivals Hinckley United on 21 April 2009. The final match of the season, a 0–0 draw away to A.F.C. Telford United, saw Mills come out of retirement after he came on as a 90th-minute substitute for Rodman. He was given a standing ovation from the travelling supporters in the process. After the end of the season he was named the Conference North Manager of the Year.