Lee Miller (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Lee John Miller is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Football League One
club Carlisle United
.
Miller was born in Lanark
, Scotland
and began his career at before moving to in 2003. After a poor first season at Bristol City, he joined on loan in 2005. That same year, he joined in a £225,000 transfer. In August 2006, he signed for on a free transfer. After four years at Aberdeen, Miller joined in 2010, but failed to score a league goal for the Football League Championship
club and was loaned out to and later . In August 2011, he joined for a undisclosed fee.
Miller has won three caps for Scotland
since making his international debut in 2006.
, who were playing in the Scottish First Division
at the time.
, who paid £300,000 to secure his services in July 2003. However, he failed to make a major impact and scored only eight goals in 42 games during the 2003-04 season
. After playing in seven games with no goals during the 2004-05 season
, Miller was transfer listed with an asking price of £50,000.
side Hearts
in January 2005 and stayed with the Edinburgh
club until the end of the season. He proved to be worth the £50,000 asking price, putting in several eye-catching performances for Hearts and scoring eight goals in 18 league appearances, including the opener in a memorable 2-0 away win over Celtic
at Celtic Park
. Hearts then attempted to secure Miller on a permanent deal, but his good form while on loan caused to up their initial asking price.
for £225,000.
, after refusing to play in a reserve match, United allowed him to join Aberdeen
on a free transfer in August 2006. Miller scored 13 goals in the 2007-08 season
finishing as Aberdeen's top scorer and in May 2008, signed a two-year contract extension with the Pittodrie
side. He scored his first goal of the season against Hearts at Pittodrie
, and went on to score the only goal in Aberdeen's 1-0 home triumph over Rangers
.
on 1 February 2010, the January transfer window deadline day, by Gordon Strachan
for a fee of around £500,000.
on loan until 4 January 2011.
, the first during his time at Dundee United against Japan in the 2006 Kirin Cup
and the second with Aberdeen against Argentina in a friendly in November 2008. In September 2009, he was due to join up with the Scotland squad for the World Cup Qualifier against Holland, but a hamstring injury ruled him out. He started the friendly match on 10 October against Japan in Yokohama
.
before being allowed to regain his licence.
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
.
Miller was born in Lanark
Lanark
Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....
, Scotland
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...
and began his career at before moving to in 2003. After a poor first season at Bristol City, he joined on loan in 2005. That same year, he joined in a £225,000 transfer. In August 2006, he signed for on a free transfer. After four years at Aberdeen, Miller joined in 2010, but failed to score a league goal for the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club and was loaned out to and later . In August 2011, he joined for a undisclosed fee.
Miller has won three caps for Scotland
Scotland 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...
since making his international debut in 2006.
Falkirk
Miller began his professional career with FalkirkFalkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
, who were playing in the Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
at the time.
Bristol City
His form with Falkirk attracted the attention of English side Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, who paid £300,000 to secure his services in July 2003. However, he failed to make a major impact and scored only eight goals in 42 games during the 2003-04 season
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
. After playing in seven games with no goals during the 2004-05 season
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
, Miller was transfer listed with an asking price of £50,000.
Hearts (loan)
Miller went on loan to Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in January 2005 and stayed with the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
club until the end of the season. He proved to be worth the £50,000 asking price, putting in several eye-catching performances for Hearts and scoring eight goals in 18 league appearances, including the opener in a memorable 2-0 away win over Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
at Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
. Hearts then attempted to secure Miller on a permanent deal, but his good form while on loan caused to up their initial asking price.
Dundee United
In June, Aberdeen and Hearts both had offers accepted by City, but Miller decided to join Dundee UnitedDundee 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...
for £225,000.
Aberdeen
At the start of the 2006-07 season2006-07 in Scottish football
The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and...
, after refusing to play in a reserve match, United allowed him to join Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
on a free transfer in August 2006. Miller scored 13 goals in the 2007-08 season
2007-08 in Scottish football
The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
finishing as Aberdeen's top scorer and in May 2008, signed a two-year contract extension with the Pittodrie
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
side. He scored his first goal of the season against Hearts at Pittodrie
Pittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
, and went on to score the only goal in Aberdeen's 1-0 home triumph over 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...
.
Middlesbrough
Miller was signed for MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
on 1 February 2010, the January transfer window deadline day, by Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
for a fee of around £500,000.
Notts County (loan)
On 19 November 2010, Miller signed for Notts CountyNotts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
on loan until 4 January 2011.
Scunthorpe United (loan)
On 28 January 2011, Miller joined Championship rivals Scunthorpe United in a loan deal until the end of the 2010/11 season.Carlisle United
On 23 August 2011, Miller signed a two year contract with Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee. He scored two goals on his debut against Leyton Orient to guide United to a comeback 2-1 victory. This was followed up with another goal in his first game at Brunton Park, a header against MK Dons.International
Miller has three caps 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...
, the first during his time at Dundee United against Japan in the 2006 Kirin Cup
Kirin Cup
The Kirin Cup is an annual association football tournament sponsored in Japan by the Kirin Brewery Company. The host, Japan, is a participant in every edition. The tournament was founded in 1978 as an international club competition. From 1992 onwards the format was changed to a round robin national...
and the second with Aberdeen against Argentina in a friendly in November 2008. In September 2009, he was due to join up with the Scotland squad for the World Cup Qualifier against Holland, but a hamstring injury ruled him out. He started the friendly match on 10 October against Japan in Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
.
Personal life
Miller was the subject of a police report in April 2007 after baring his backside in front of Dundee United supporters during a 4-2 defeat. Less than a year later, in March 2008, Miller was charged with driving dangerously at speeds of up to 120 mph, appearing in court in September and due to be on trial on 29 April. In September 2009, Miller was stripped of his licence, banned from driving for a year and fined £600. He was also ordered to sit an extended driving testDriving test
A driving test is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is often a requirement to pass the exam to obtain a driver's license...
before being allowed to regain his licence.