Alan Miller (footballer)


Alan John Miller is an English former professional footballer. Playing as a goalkeeper, Miller played for Arsenal, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers.

Career

Miller began as an apprentice at Arsenal in 1984. With them he won the FA Youth Cup in 1988, and won four caps for the England under-21 team. However, with John Lukic and then David Seaman, first-team opportunities were rare. He had loan spells with Plymouth Argyle, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City.
He finally made his Arsenal debut on 21 November 1992 as a substitute, the first ever Arsenal goalkeeper to come on as a sub. He made another seven appearances over the next two seasons. He won FA Cup and League Cup winners' medals in 1992–93 and a European Cup Winners' Cup medal in 1993–94, as an unused substitute each time.
In summer 1994, wanting first team football, Miller moved to Middlesbrough for £500,000, winning a First Division winners' medal in his first season.
In 1997, he signed for West Bromwich Albion in a £400,000 deal, before moving on to Blackburn Rovers in 2000. He played only two games during his time at Ewood Park, against Sheffield United in the league and Portsmouth in the League Cup. While at Blackburn, he went on loan to Bristol City and Coventry City during 2000–01. His only appearance at Coventry was one to forget, as he came on as a substitute against Chelsea after Chris Kirkland was sent off. Coventry lost 6–1. In October 2001, he was loaned out again, this time to St Johnstone. He was recalled from his loan spell at St Johnstone to take his place on the bench as Blackburn won the 2002 Football League Cup Final, providing back-up to Brad Friedel, because of injury to the regular second-choice goalkeeper Alan Kelly. Miller retired in 2003 after failing to overcome a back injury.

Personal life

He now lives in Holkham and plays cricket for the Holkham Estate.

Honours

Club

;Arsenal
;Middlesbrough
;Blackburn Rovers