Brian 'Dusty' Miller

[ClaretTony]

7th April 2007 - we beat Birmingham 1-0 with a goal from John Spicer but that morning we lost the very first member of our championship winning team with the sad passing of Brian Miller at the age of 70.

He was the one member of that team I knew really well. I'd have always thought he'd be the last to go he always looked the fittest of the lot.

A sad day but today a day when we can remember Brian and his wonderful contribution to Burnley Football Club.


I wrote this on what would have been his 80th birthday
https://www.uptheclarets.com/remembering-dusty-miller

[Suratclaret]

It's often a misused description but Brian was a true legend. Burnley FC through and through and I was lucky enough, and privileged to see him play many times.

[elwaclaret]

A lovely man I was lucky enough to speak to many times for various reasons. I witnessed his progression through the back room but was too young to watch play live. I remember too well my shock at his passing one last time.

Never forgotten Dusty. Thoughts are with the Miller dynasty RIP Brian x

[Cirrus_Minor]

Very strong player and incredible servant to the club. Always thought that one the stands, probably cricket field, should have been named after him.

[jdrobbo]

Remember where I was when I heard the news. RIP to a true Burnley man.

[Herts Clarets]

Remember where I was when I heard the news. RIP to a true Burnley man.

Me too - departure lounge at Sanford Airport in Orlando when i used a free computer. First thing I did was log on to the old Clarets Mad site to be met with the saddest of news. RIP Brian Miller, our greatest servant.

[ClaretTony]

It's often a misused description but Brian was a true legend. Burnley FC through and through and I was lucky enough, and privileged to see him play many times.

For me, the word legend, should be used very sparingly. I’d suggest just two of that title winning teams were ever legends, Jimmy Mac & undoubtedly Brian.

I got to know him & his wife Mary really well and you couldn’t help but like them. Dusty was a Claret in every way and continued to go in the Turf until his illness prevented it.

[martin_p]

It was such a shame he never got to see us get back to the top tier given his association with both the glory days and the Orient match.

[BenWickes]

Wow! Has it been that long since he passed?! My Dad got to know him quite well in the 80's due to business connections. Didn't he own a Newsagents or a shop of some sort?

[The Enclosure]

A lovely man,I knew Brian very well.Had many a pint with him in the Crooked Billet in Worsthorne chatting about football.
He also lived in the village with his lovely family for many years until his death.
Brian also ran the village newsagents when he retired .

[MT03ALG]

I cannot believe that it is so long ago since Brian died. He was a great man and certainly a Clarets legend. I knew him quite well through Lancashire Schools' F.A. His son David played for Lancashire Schoolboys as did Derek's sons. For some reason I happened to be in the Crooked Billet by chance on Brian's 60th. birthday (as far as I remember). He invited me to have pie and peas with his friends and family !!

[ClaretTony]

Wow! Has it been that long since he passed?! My Dad got to know him quite well in the 80's due to business connections. Didn't he own a Newsagents or a shop of some sort?

Has been posted that he owned the newsagents in Worsthorne but before that he owned the sweet shop literally next door to the Turf.

[Wokingclaret]

"Brian also ran the village newsagents when he retired"

After he was sacked the 1st time. "The phone is off the hook he told us", but of course he did return, you could say (Two Jobs)!

[gsyclaret]

Has been posted that he owned the newsagents in Worsthorne but before that he owned the sweet shop literally next door to the Turf.

remember going in before a game and there he was behind the counter, bought some midget gems.

[BenWickes]

Has been posted that he owned the newsagents in Worsthorne but before that he owned the sweet shop literally next door to the Turf.

Ahh. My father used to work for Barrs (Irn Bru/Tizer fame) so that's how he got to know him. It was pre 86 so I assume my Dad used to canvass at the shop by t'Turf and Worsthorne.
I never met Brian myself but remember my Dad having a conversation on the phone with him when he was appointed manager in 1986 was it?
Didn't know he had the sweet shop by the ground.

[Volvoclaret]

Really top man
Always had a chat about football when I called on for my newspaper.

[ClaretTony]

Ahh. My father used to work for Barrs (Irn Bru/Tizer fame) so that's how he got to know him. It was pre 86 so I assume my Dad used to canvass at the shop by t'Turf and Worsthorne.
I never met Brian myself but remember my Dad having a conversation on the phone with him when he was appointed manager in 1986 was it?
Didn't know he had the sweet shop by the ground.

He had the shop on Brunshaw Road for some time. Moved in either late 60s or very early 70s. That’s how I got to know him & Mary so well. Two really nice people and I wish I had a pound for the number of times I went in and spent a hour talking football with him.

[djemba-djemba]

For me, the word legend, should be used very sparingly. I’d suggest just two of that title winning teams were ever legends, Jimmy Mac & undoubtedly Brian.

And Jimmy Adamson.

[ClaretTony]

And Jimmy Adamson.

I know a lot of former players who would disagree with that

[tiger76]

Brian's playing career was way before my time following the Clarets, but he'll always be remembered by me for his vital role in the Orient match.

And it's staggering just how quickly we went from the top team in the country, to battling to survive in the football league itself, and Brian was a major part of both those era's in our club's history.

[ClaretTony]

Brian's playing career was way before my time following the Clarets, but he'll always be remembered by me for his vital role in the Orient match.

And it's staggering just how quickly we went from the top team in the country, to battling to survive in the football league itself, and Brian was a major part of both those era's in our club's history.

Many more now will remember the manager but not the player but he was a very good player in a very good team. He wasn’t a play to hog the limelight but he was big, strong and a very reliable player who should have had more England caps. And he was claret & blue through and through.

[Burnley Ace]

Has been posted that he owned the newsagents in Worsthorne but before that he owned the sweet shop literally next door to the Turf.

In my memory, as a kid, I always used to get my pre match sweets from there!

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Ridiculous to think of it happening now, but he’d come and watch us at Park Hill Convent on a Saturday morning because David was playing when the first team had a match a few hours later. John McNabb reffing presumably.