Former Blue Johnny Miller Dies
Friday, 19th Feb 2016 00:05

Former Blue Johnny Miller died on Thursday, aged 65.

His family announced the news in a message on his Facebook page yesterday afternoon.

Born in Ipswich, Miller came through the Town youth system and made his senior debut in a 0-0 home draw with Coventry City in March 1969, becoming the second black player to represent the club, Steve Stacey having been the first earlier that season.

Shortly after he made his debut Reg Drury, chief football writer at the News of the World, wrote: "This boy will surely be the first black player to play for England."

Right winger Miller went on to make 43 senior starts and 17 sub appearances, scoring four goals - in addition to 150 games and 31 goals for the reserves - before moving on to Norwich City in October 1974 for a fee of £47,500.

Less than two months later - with that fee not yet paid - Miller famously scored twice for the Canaries as they beat the Blues 2-1 at Portman Road in a League Cup fifth round replay to progress to the semi-finals.

They went on to finish third in the Second Division during that campaign and were promoted to the top flight.

RIP Johnny Miller... Always a Gentleman at our Ex Players Dinner #itfcfamily https://t.co/9dQr3PpU5i– Simon Milton (@Milts25) February 19, 2016

In 1976 his former Town and Norwich team-mate Peter Morris took him to Mansfield and he helped the Stags to the Third Division title in 1976/77.

Miller later played for Port Vale, Oakham United and Selston and was assistant manager at Blidworth Welfare. Latterly he had been working as a taxi driver in Mansfield and was a regular at Town's annual ex-players' dinner.

Blues legend Kevin Beattie paid tribute to his one-time Town team-mate.

“He was such a jovial chap and a good footballer," the former England defender told TWTD. "He was very good. He just wasn’t in the boss’s thoughts.

“We had so many wingers. Clive Woods was on the left and Mick Lambert could play either left or right.

“We sold him to Norwich and they knocked us out of the League Cup and he scored two bloody goals!”

He added: “He was a lovely fella, you used to look forward to seeing him in the morning because he was always cheerful.

“My condolences to all his family, he’ll be sadly missed because he was such a cheerful guy.”

The Stags held an evening with Miller last March and have posted some clips from it on YouTube.

Photo: Action Images

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yorkshire added 13:31 - Feb 19 Grew up with his two lads and met him a couple of times - really nice guy. Always thought it was really cool that they had a Dad that played for Town (even he had played for Norwich as well) RIP
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Carrotblue added 13:50 - Feb 19 Remember kicking a ball around with him on gyp park, he asked us a school boys could he join in. Now those were the days
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silkcutblue added 14:19 - Feb 19 R I P looks like the lot down the road were spending big in 1974 imagine what mm would get with 47grand
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paddypowell added 15:07 - Feb 19 i beleive johny used to play for whitton untd before turning pro he had a thunderous rightfoot and i think he once broke the bar at whitton in one game being a whitton lad iremember him well will be sadly missed
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Seasider added 16:30 - Feb 19 Naturally like everybody else am sorry to hear of Johnny Millers passing,and condolences to family. Amusing anecdote on above i/v at Mansfield about when he signed for Town Makes you think when players you remember well die at a younger age than you are! RIP
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david_d added 16:30 - Feb 19 Sad news....Johnny used to live on wherstead road, near my aunt....he took my autograph book into work and filled it up for me with autographs from all the players at the time....Mick mills, Kevin Beatrice, Alan Hunter, ..etc Tec ..he was a kind and true gentleman RIP...
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blueboy1981 added 17:39 - Feb 19 R.i.P Johnny Miller .......... those of us who remember you, will have fond memories. Condolences to Family & Friends - too young to pass on, for sure.
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EatonBlue added 20:14 - Feb 19 RIP Johnny. I saw his debut. I would like to think that Sir Bobby is up there with him and still handing out fatherly advice.
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