ARTICLE: Brian Miller – July 1986 to January 1989

[ClaretTony]

Back on the managers and the return of Brian Miller

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/brian-mill ... nuary-1989

[Uwe Noble]

Brian saved the club.

[mdd2]

Nice one that Tony and how true. Was really shocked at his passing in 2007 when so relatively young at 70-were he alive today, that would not be unusual. As you say probably the only man who would have taken on that task in 1986 and succeed. I remember the mass clear out after the Orient game, especially Neenan's departure.

[keith1879]

Felt quite emotional reading that. He really was a legend .....I did see him play but don't really remember because like all kids I was watching the forwards. I must have attended most of the games when he was manager....a draining experience at times!

[Silkyskills1]

Mr. Burnley. A Claret through and through. Did everything asked of him from a young player in the 50's to that game in '87. Thank you Brian Miller.

[ClaretTony]

I had the privilege, and a privilege it was, of knowing Brian really well. I hate the liberal use of the word legend. It is there for people like Brian. How he dealt with the build up to the Orient game in the way he did was astonishing because he was a Claret and was hurting every bit as much as any of us.

Lovely man. I knew how ill he was but was still absolutely shocked that morning when I received the news of his passing.

[Silkyskills1]

Powerful player,too, CT in that early 60's team. Good left foot and scored some vital goals.

[Blackrod]

Club legend no doubt about that. Don’t think we could have had anyone better to manage that team in that Orient game and everything that went with it. I’m sure he’d have been delighted to see some of the climb back.

[Cirrus_Minor]

I have long thought that Brian should have had one of the stands named after him. One club man who was involved at the very best of times and at their very worst.

[tiger76]

He definitely played his part in the climb back, after the Orient game what we needed was stability, and he gave us that for a few seasons, and of course a Wembley trip in the process.

A one club man that's for sure, and he played a pivotal role in those dire days of the 1980's, you do wonder where we'd have ended up without his steady hand at the helm.

[claretblue]

obituary from The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/m ... s.football

thank you Brian...player, manager, Claret!

[ClaretTony]

I know we've had these links a month ago for the Orient game but worth seeing them again, particularly the second when Brian says it would mean everything to him if the worst came to the worst.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I3i_jhY6us

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieWObXpjhyQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_64dUfFGE

And he was celebrating as much as any of them five years later when this happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=012jt20U-YY

[ClaretTony]

And I've just found this piece that I wrote about him on what would have been his 80th birthday.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/remembering-dusty-miller

[joey13]

Mr. Burnley. A Claret through and through. Did everything asked of him from a young player in the 50's to that game in '87. Thank you Brian Miller.

Not forgetting Mr Hapton

[ashtonlongsider]

Excellent article and whether he was 'embarrassed' or not, he will always be Mr Burnley to me. Strangely enough I was only watching the Orient pre match interview on Youtube the other day. BM came across as very calm and dignified. I'm sure his manner and personality was a major factor in helping us to victory. As someone above stated, I'd like a stand named after him. Possibly the CFS if and when. It would be a fitting tribute to someone who gave his life to the club.

[ClaretTony]

As someone above stated, I'd like a stand named after him. Possibly the CFS if and when. It would be a fitting tribute to someone who gave his life to the club.

His wife Mary, who sadly passed away herself almost four years ago, said after his death that Brian wouldn't have liked a stand named after him. She always thought a Brian Miller Scholarship for a younger player would be better. All the club did was give a room upstairs his name.

When we put the pics round the ground, those who paid for them were put into a draw meaning they could get anyone. I was absolutely thrilled when Up the Clarets drew Brian.

[bfcjg]

Never saw him play but his quiet calm and determined manner got us through some dreadful times. If he had of managed in a period when we had money make no mistake he would have been Dychelike with success.

[Wokingclaret]

My memories will always be
The wonderful 81/82 3rd Division Championship team.
The Orient game.
The really special Sherpa Fan Trophy final.

Sad that both spells ended when they did, perhaps in both cases if finances had been better then he could have achieved more.

[Suratclaret]

"but he did it with real dignity alongside his amazing passion for the club."

Excellent write up (again) and I think the comments about dignity sum up Brian Miller perfectly.