FORMER colleagues of Kevin Miller at Falmouth Town have described him as “brilliant” - remembering how he swapped midfield life to become a top flight goalkeeper.

The 46-year-old who was born and bred in Falmouth recently announced his retirement from the game after enjoying an illustrious professional football career spanning an 18 year period from 1989.

During this time, he represented Exeter City, Birmingham City, Watford, Crystal Palace, Barnsley, Bristol Rovers, Derby County, Southampton and Torquay United across the Football League and Premier League.

He made an impressive 628 appearances as a professional before returning to the South Western League at Bodmin Town where he is about to complete 381 games for the club he has been a major influence at over the last eight seasons.

A proud product of Falmouth Town's youth scheme organised by school teacher Colin Burgess, Miller started off mainly as a midfielder but was drafted into goal when the regular stopper failed to turn up.

Watching on the sidelines was Town's Combination League side manager Keith Rashleigh who was so impressed he convinced the 16-year-old to take up the position full time.

Rashleigh said: “I have never seen anything like him before or since. As young as he was he knew the game and was a brilliant shot stopper and inspired the players in front of him.

“He had the lot and all I had to do was encourage him. He just loved sport which is clearly demonstrated by his playing at 46 years old to a very high standard.”

Falmouth Packet:

Miller in goal for Newquay against Falmouth saves a Phil Shapcott shot in the 1988 Cornwall Senior Cup semi final at Truro City.

Miller, who also had strong links to Mawnan FC, Falmouth Cricket Club and Falmouth Rugby Club, decided to leave Town in order to play Sunday football with his mates, which led to Rashleigh forming a plan.

“I was disgusted,” he said.

“So I resigned and fixed him up with Trevor Mewton, the manager at Newquay, who I knew wanted him.

“I used to drive him to the games as he wasn't old enough to drive a car.”

Mewton was on his way to eventually win a record thirteen South Western League championships and Miller won a lot of trophies in his comparatively short spell at Newquay.

At the same time he created a new South Western League record by conceding just 18 goals in 38 games including just one defeat as Newquay pipped Falmouth to the championship by three points.

He was soon to be used in an emergency by Exeter City who had a goalkeeping crisis through suspension and injury.

Miller was literally thrown in at the deep end and kept a clean sheet against Hartlepool in a 1-0 dream debut win. Exeter's Manager Terry Cooper, of Leeds and England fame, instantly recognised his quality and immediately offered him a full-time contract.

When Cooper moved to manage Birmingham City, he even purchased Kevin for the Midlands club soon after they had won the Fourth Division championship together at Exeter City.

While at Watford he was voted player of the year two seasons running and was then transferred to Premiership side Crystal Palace for £1.5million.

Once when asked who his most difficult opponent was he said it was Tottenham Hotspurs and Germany star striker Jurgen Klinsmann.