The local football world has been shaken by the death of former Premier League and Football League goalkeeper Kevin Miller at the age of 57.
Falmouth-born Miller, who had been working for Wigan Athletic this season, died in his sleep on Tuesday night, it is understood.
He was appointed by the Lancashire club in June as first team goalkeeper coach, reuniting with former Exeter manager Gary Caldwell. Miller had spent four years in a similar role with Exeter, the club he made the most appearances for during his professional career, with 209 games.
His career also included spells at Birmingham City (24 appearances), Watford (128), Crystal Palace (66), Barnsley (115), Bristol Rovers (72), Southampton (7) and Torquay United on loan (7).
After retiring from professional football, he joined South Western League side Bodmin Town in 2007. As manager Darren Gilbert’s number one, the club won multiple trophies during Miller’s nine-year stay at Priory Park.
AFC St Austell joint manager Olly Brokenshire, who played alongside Miller at Bodmin, said: “Kevin was one of a kind and the best goalkeeper I have ever played with. He was a fantastic senior player and role model to have in your dressing room. RIP big man.”
Miller came through the Falmouth Town youth scheme in 1985, starting at 15 as a midfield player before manager Keith Rashleigh persuaded him to take up goalkeeping in the Cornwall Combination League team.
He joined Newquay in 1988 and enjoyed great success with the Peppermints, breaking the SWL goals conceded record under manager Trevor Mewton.
Miller was then signed by former Leeds and England left back Terry Cooper for Exeter, where he became a key figure in the Grecians’ fourth division title-winning team. He later followed Cooper to Birmingham, Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Bristol Rovers, and also spent three seasons at Watford.
His move to Premiership side Palace from Watford in June 1997 brought the most expensive fee of his career, £1.5 million. He had been poised to sign for Nottingham Forest, even playing in a friendly for them, but they failed to agree a fee.
He initially retired from football in August 2005, but in February 2006 he was signed by Southampton manager George Burley, whose side was short on goalkeepers. Miller displaced Paul Smith in the first team and played the final seven games of the 2005/06 season, helping the team to five wins and a draw. The club offered him a one-year extension to his contract, which he accepted.
In January 2007, he signed a one-month loan deal with League Two strugglers Torquay, making his debut on January 26 in a 4–1 win at home to Grimsby Town, the Gulls’ first win in 20 league games. Miller returned to Southampton at the end of the loan spell and was released in May 2007.
Returning to non-league football, Miller joined Bodmin in October 2007. He retired from playing at the end of the 2014/15 season, aged 46, but was then persuaded to do another season at the club.
Cornwall Mourns Former Premier League Goalkeeper Kevin Miller