Irish midfielder Mike Milligan was signed from Oldham in June 1994 for £850,000 by John Deehan. He is a strong, competitive player who has had his fair share of disciplinary problems but his commitment won him second place in the club's 1996/97 Player of the Year award. Mike began his career with Manchester City but made his debut with Oldham for whom 162 league games were played. He had a brief stint with Everton (17 games) before returning to Oldham for a second spell. Made a further 117 league appearances for the Latics before his transfer to Norwich.

Injured at the beginning of the 1998/99 season, Mike has been unable to break back into the first team and agreed with Bruce Rioch to go onto the transfer list. Mike was linked to a player-coach position at Shrewsbury in the summer of 1999 but did not except it. He was also expected to sign for Carlisle United on a free transfer. His move to Carlisle didn't materialise but a trip north seemed on the cards when Dundee manager Jocky Scott was observed watching Mike in a Norwich Reserves match. Jocky admitted his interest but claimed that after watching Milligan he was not the player they were looking for. Injuries in the Norwich midfield led to Mike returning to first team action even though he was still on the transfer list.

Mike was released by Norwich on Tuesday 25th April 2000. A return to his native North West occurred on 16th May 2000 when Mike joined Steve McMahon's Blackpool. Mike came on as substitute in Blackpool's 4-2 victory over Orient in the Division 3 Play Off finals on 26th May 2001. In July 2001, Mike was linked with a move to Shrewsbury. Blackpool announced in March 2002 that Mike was to be released.

At the end of November 2003, Mike signed for Ridgeons League side Fakenham as he had business commitments in the area. Fakenham manager Stuart Woodhouse said "He's kept himself fit so that shouldn't be a problem and it gives the younger lads someone to look up to". After two games, Mike decided that it was more taxing than he realised and so decided to abandon thoughts of a comeback.

Mike, according to an article in the Pink Un on 8th April 2006, was working for corporate events firm Moco Travel. In July 2009, hjoined Yeovil Town as a scout.