Charlie Miller
Encyclopedia
Charles "Charlie" Miller (born 18 March 1976 in Glasgow
) is a Scottish
football
player who is currently without a club following his release from Clyde
. Miller was voted the SPFA Young Player of the Year in 1995, during his time with Rangers
.
and showed he was talented enough to make an impression in the nine-in-a-row team under Walter Smith
. Indeed, when David Beckham
scored his famous goal from the midfield against Wimbledon
on 17 August 1996, he did so in boots custom-made for Miller ("CHARLIE" was embroidered on the boots), which had been given to Beckham by mistake.
A lifestyle of parties and an unhealthy diet followed, and Miller's career appeared to be on the wane. In 1996 he had engaged in a pub brawl after allegedly singing sectarian songs. Miller's accomplice, Jimmy 'Five Bellies' Gardner, was convicted of assault in relation to the incident, while a verdict of not proven
was recorded against Miller. He was loaned to Leicester City
towards the end of the 1998-99
season before joining Watford
for £450,000 in October 1999. Watford were relegated in their first FA Premier League
season with Miller unable to make an impact, making only 15 league appearances. He played one more League Cup
game for the Hornets in the 2000-01
before moving to Dundee United
on a free transfer. Miller enjoyed a successful spell at United, becoming a firm favourite with the fans. However, in May 2004, a contract dispute saw Miller leave the club to join ex-Dundee United player Robbie Winters
at Norwegian
club SK Brann.
In Brann, Miller became one of the supporters' favourite players, due to his technique and passes. Despite this, he was in and out of the team, according to manager Mons Ivar Mjelde
because of defensive considerations. In 2006, he started off as one of the league's top players, but gradually received some attention off the pitch, apparently provoked by lack of confidence from the manager. He made it clear that he was unhappy as a right midfielder, the position he had played in most of the season, and eventually that he wanted to leave the club. Miller also criticised Mjelde's unusually close ties to his rival for the attacking central midfield spot, Martin Andresen
. Miller refused to participate in the silver medal ceremony after the game against Ham-Kam on 29 October. Since then, he was ignored by the coach, and only played the last minute of Brann's Royal League
match against Rosenborg
on 7 December 2006, in which he contributed to a winning goal.
During his time at Brann he went on trial at English Championship
club Cardiff City
, but was not offered a full deal. In early January 2007, Miller began training with Scottish First Division club St. Johnstone
to top up his fitness during the Norwegian league's winter break. His contract with SK Brann was terminated after an agreement on 31 January. On 9 February, he signed a contract at the Belgian
team Lierse S.K.
On 20 April 2007, he scored his first goals for Lierse against Germinal Beerschot in their fight to stay in the first division. On 27 June he signed a three-year contract with Lierse SK but was released less than a year later.
club, Brisbane Roar. On 14 September, against Perth Glory, Miller broke the A-League
scoring record for the best start to a season by scoring four goals in the Roar's
opening four fixtures of the 2008-09 season
.
He was diagnosed with a hernia
and underwent surgery. Miller returned to the first team on 17 January 2009 as a substitute against Sydney FC
coming on late in the game, and made the pass that set up Sergio van Dijk
's third goal of the match. On 5 December 2009, Miller's contract with the Roar was terminated by mutual consent in the middle of the 2009-10 season as the club could not guarantee Miller a contract for the 2010-11 season.
rivals, North Queensland Fury FC
and Gold Coast United. On December 5, 2009 he was a guest at a Gold Coast United fixture sparking rumors of a potential move. Miller signed with Gold Coast on a short-term injury replacement contract.
club Ayr United
. In February 2011, he signed for Clyde
until the end of the season. He was released at the end of the season, after only making 5 appearances.
in a one all draw with Poland
in 2001. Barry Nicholson
, Gavin Rae
and John O'Neil
made their Scotland debuts in the same game. Then Scotland boss Craig Brown stated that 'Charlie Miller has always been a talented player and now I think his club manager Alex Smith has got the best out of him and this is a new challenge for him'.
Brown resigned as Scotland boss later in 2001 after failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. Miller was overlooked by Brown's successor Berti Vogts
. Scotland captain Barry Ferguson
stated that Miller 'should be in the Scotland team' but Vogts failed to heed this advice.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
) is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who is currently without a club following his release from Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
. Miller was voted the SPFA Young Player of the Year in 1995, during his time with Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
Club career
Miller started his career with RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and showed he was talented enough to make an impression in the nine-in-a-row team under Walter Smith
Walter Smith
Walter Smith, OBE is a Scottish football manager. His most recent job was at Scottish Premier League club Rangers.Smith had a relatively modest playing career, consisting of two spells with Dundee United which was split by a short time at Dumbarton.A pelvic injury meant he moved in to coaching at...
. Indeed, when David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
scored his famous goal from the midfield against Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
on 17 August 1996, he did so in boots custom-made for Miller ("CHARLIE" was embroidered on the boots), which had been given to Beckham by mistake.
A lifestyle of parties and an unhealthy diet followed, and Miller's career appeared to be on the wane. In 1996 he had engaged in a pub brawl after allegedly singing sectarian songs. Miller's accomplice, Jimmy 'Five Bellies' Gardner, was convicted of assault in relation to the incident, while a verdict of not proven
Not proven
Not proven is a verdict available to a court in Scotland.Under Scots law, a criminal trial may end in one of three verdicts: one of conviction and two of acquittal ....
was recorded against Miller. He was loaned to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
towards the end of the 1998-99
1998-99 in Scottish football
The 1998–99 season was the 102nd season of Scottish league football.-Summary:The 1998–99 SPL season was one that ended in success for Rangers. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was brought in to replace Walter Smith at Rangers and made major changes, bringing in many players.Rangers were...
season before joining Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
for £450,000 in October 1999. Watford were relegated in their first FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
season with Miller unable to make an impact, making only 15 league appearances. He played one more League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
game for the Hornets in the 2000-01
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
before moving to Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
on a free transfer. Miller enjoyed a successful spell at United, becoming a firm favourite with the fans. However, in May 2004, a contract dispute saw Miller leave the club to join ex-Dundee United player Robbie Winters
Robbie Winters
Robbie Winters is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for Alloa Athletic.-Career:Winters began his career at Dundee United in 1992 and played 99 league games for the Terrors, scoring 19 times. A move to Aberdeen beckoned, which saw Billy Dodds and cash come to Tannadice in exchange for Winters...
at Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
club SK Brann.
In Brann, Miller became one of the supporters' favourite players, due to his technique and passes. Despite this, he was in and out of the team, according to manager Mons Ivar Mjelde
Mons Ivar Mjelde
Mons Ivar Mjelde is a former footballer and is currently head coach for the Norwegian Tippeliga club Start.- Player :...
because of defensive considerations. In 2006, he started off as one of the league's top players, but gradually received some attention off the pitch, apparently provoked by lack of confidence from the manager. He made it clear that he was unhappy as a right midfielder, the position he had played in most of the season, and eventually that he wanted to leave the club. Miller also criticised Mjelde's unusually close ties to his rival for the attacking central midfield spot, Martin Andresen
Martin Andresen
Martin Andresen is a Norwegian football manager.-Club career:Martin Andresen was a regular on many Norwegian national youth teams while playing for Moss, Viking and Stabæk Fotball from 1995-1999. After the 1999 season, Andresen was sold to Premier League club Wimbledon in a deal worth £1,8 million...
. Miller refused to participate in the silver medal ceremony after the game against Ham-Kam on 29 October. Since then, he was ignored by the coach, and only played the last minute of Brann's Royal League
Royal League
The Royal League was an annual Scandinavian football tournament held three times between teams from the three Scandinavian monarchies , starting after the end of the regular domestic seasons of Norway and Sweden. Denmark, however, are in mid-season when the tournament starts...
match against Rosenborg
Rosenborg B.K.
Rosenborg Ballklub is a Norwegian football club from the city of Trondheim, currently playing in the Norwegian Premier League. With 22 league titles and nine Norwegian Cup titles, the club is the most successful in Norway and has dominated Norwegian football since the start of the 1990s...
on 7 December 2006, in which he contributed to a winning goal.
During his time at Brann he went on trial at English Championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
club Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, but was not offered a full deal. In early January 2007, Miller began training with Scottish First Division club St. Johnstone
St Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
to top up his fitness during the Norwegian league's winter break. His contract with SK Brann was terminated after an agreement on 31 January. On 9 February, he signed a contract at the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
team Lierse S.K.
Lierse S.K.
Koninklijke Lierse Sportkring is a Belgian professional football club, from the city of Lier in the Antwerp province. Lierse has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2010-11 season and they have already won the competition 4 times. They also have won 2 Belgian Cups...
On 20 April 2007, he scored his first goals for Lierse against Germinal Beerschot in their fight to stay in the first division. On 27 June he signed a three-year contract with Lierse SK but was released less than a year later.
Brisbane Roar
On 31 July 2008, Miller officially signed a two year deal with Australian A-LeagueA-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
club, Brisbane Roar. On 14 September, against Perth Glory, Miller broke the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
scoring record for the best start to a season by scoring four goals in the Roar's
Queensland Roar FC
Brisbane Roar Football Club is a professional football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia competing in the Hyundai A-League national competition, playing their home games at Suncorp Stadium...
opening four fixtures of the 2008-09 season
A-League 2008-09
The 2008–09 A-League season was the fourth season of the Australasian A-League association football competition. Two new clubs, North Queensland Thunder and Gold Coast Galaxy had received tentative licences from the FFA but these were revoked for the 2008–09 season on 12 March 2008. Expansion...
.
He was diagnosed with a hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
and underwent surgery. Miller returned to the first team on 17 January 2009 as a substitute against Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
coming on late in the game, and made the pass that set up Sergio van Dijk
Sergio van Dijk
Serginho "Sergio" van Dijk is a Dutch-born Indonesian footballer player, who currently plays for Adelaide United in the A-League...
's third goal of the match. On 5 December 2009, Miller's contract with the Roar was terminated by mutual consent in the middle of the 2009-10 season as the club could not guarantee Miller a contract for the 2010-11 season.
Gold Coast United
Since leaving the Roar, Miller was linked with a move to QueenslandQueensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
rivals, North Queensland Fury FC
North Queensland Fury FC
North Queensland Fury FC were a professional football club based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, which competed in the A-League. North Queensland played its home fixtures at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The club was closed on 1 March 2011, due to financial instability.-History:A Townsville bid was...
and Gold Coast United. On December 5, 2009 he was a guest at a Gold Coast United fixture sparking rumors of a potential move. Miller signed with Gold Coast on a short-term injury replacement contract.
Return to Scotland
It was reported on 12 November 2010 that Miller would spend the week training with Scottish Second DivisionScottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
club Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
. In February 2011, he signed for Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
until the end of the season. He was released at the end of the season, after only making 5 appearances.
International career
Miller won his first and only cap for ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
in a one all draw with Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in 2001. Barry Nicholson
Barry Nicholson
Barry Nicholson is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Preston North End.-Early years:...
, Gavin Rae
Gavin Rae
Gavin Paul Rae is a Scottish international footballer, who currently plays for Scottish First Division club Dundee. Rae started his career with Dundee, making over 200 league appearances for the club. He moved to Rangers in January 2004, but struggled to hold down a regular place in their team due...
and John O'Neil
John O'Neil (footballer)
John Thomas O'Neil is a Scottish former professional association football player. He represented Scotland once, and played for Dundee United, St. Johnstone, Hibernian and Falkirk in the top division.-Career:...
made their Scotland debuts in the same game. Then Scotland boss Craig Brown stated that 'Charlie Miller has always been a talented player and now I think his club manager Alex Smith has got the best out of him and this is a new challenge for him'.
Brown resigned as Scotland boss later in 2001 after failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. Miller was overlooked by Brown's successor Berti Vogts
Berti Vogts
Hans-Hubert "Berti" Vogts is a German former footballer. He played for Borussia Mönchengladbach and won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974. He later managed Germany , Scotland and Nigeria...
. Scotland captain Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson MBE is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Blackpool.Ferguson has made 82 appearances in European competitions, all for Rangers, which makes him the record European appearance holder at the club. He was also inducted into the Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame...
stated that Miller 'should be in the Scotland team' but Vogts failed to heed this advice.
Rangers
- Scottish Premier Division: 5
-
- 1992–931992-93 in Scottish footballThe 1992–93 season was the 96th season of competitive football in Scotland.- Notable events:* Rangers completing a domestic treble of the Premier Division title, FA Cup and League Cup....
, 1993–941993-94 in Scottish footballThe 1993–94 season was the 97th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season saw several teams relegated from the 1st and 2nd divisions in preparation for the introduction of a 3rd division the following season.-Notable events:...
, 1994–951994-95 in Scottish footballThe 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
, 1995–961995-96 in Scottish footballThe 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points ....
, 1996–971996-97 in Scottish footballThe 1996–97 season was the 100th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen a playoff system introduced between the 2nd bottom club in the Premier Division and the 2nd top club in Division One.-Scottish Premier Division:...
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
: 2
- Scottish Cup
- 1992–931992-93 in Scottish footballThe 1992–93 season was the 96th season of competitive football in Scotland.- Notable events:* Rangers completing a domestic treble of the Premier Division title, FA Cup and League Cup....
, 1995–961995-96 in Scottish footballThe 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points ....
- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
: 2
- Scottish League Cup
- 1992–931992-93 in Scottish footballThe 1992–93 season was the 96th season of competitive football in Scotland.- Notable events:* Rangers completing a domestic treble of the Premier Division title, FA Cup and League Cup....
, 1995–961995-96 in Scottish footballThe 1995–96 season was the 99th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Summary:Rangers won the Premier Division with a record 87 points, finishing four ahead of rivals Celtic. Aberdeen were third with 55 points ....
- 1992–93
Individual
- Scottish PFA Young Player of the YearScottish PFA Young Player of the YearThe Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year is named at the end of every Scottish football season. The members of the Professional Footballers' Association vote on which of its young members played the best football in the previous year. The award was first given in 1978.- List of winners :-Winners...
: 1
-
- 19951994-95 in Scottish footballThe 1994–95 season was the 98th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen the re-introduction of the Scottish 3rd division, after an absence of 26 years, and also the introduction of three points for a win being awarded instead of just two.-Notable events:*Raith Rovers...
- A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
Foreign Player of the Year: 2008-2009A-League 2008-09The 2008–09 A-League season was the fourth season of the Australasian A-League association football competition. Two new clubs, North Queensland Thunder and Gold Coast Galaxy had received tentative licences from the FFA but these were revoked for the 2008–09 season on 12 March 2008. Expansion...
- A-League
- 1995