Colin Miller Named New Men's Team Assistant Coach
Published on February 11, 2010 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Colin Miller has been named the new assistant coach of the men's team. Born in Allanton, Scotland, the former Canadian men's national team captain will join head coach Teitur Thordarson and the Whitecaps players and staff for their pre-season training camp in Casa Grande, Arizona, on Friday.
"Having grown up in East Vancouver since the age of 10, I remember fondly watching the NASL Whitecaps at old Empire Stadium," said Miller. "Leaving the Abbotsford Soccer Association and the University of the Fraser Valley was not an easy decision, and I am extremely thankful for the time I enjoyed with both first-class organizations. I now look forward to joining one of the top professional clubs in North America and I am thrilled to be a member of my hometown club."
Miller, 45, joins the Whitecaps with an extensive resume as a player and coach. This included the role of first-team coach at Derby County FC during the 2007-08 English Premier League season. In 2009, Miller was head coach of the expansion Victoria Highlanders FC during their inaugural season in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL). He led the Vancouver Island outfit to a fifth-place finish in the PDL's Western Conference, Northwest Division standings with a record of 6W-6L-4D. Most recently, Miller served as head coach of the Abbotsford Soccer Association, as well as head coach of the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women's team.
In 2000, Miller began his first tenure as head coach of the Abbotsford Soccer Association, and went to play a key role in the development of the club's elite players over the past decade. Considered one of the best player development programs in Canada, Miller's efforts with Abbotsford Soccer's School of Excellence has seen more than 40 players earn university scholarships across North America. He also led five of the club's youth teams to Canadian Club Championship tournaments, with two of those sides winning their respective age-group titles.
A midfielder who enjoyed a long and distinguished playing career in Canada, England, and Scotland, Miller was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum in 2005 after making 61 senior international appearances for Canada between 1983 and 1997. Not only did Miller serve as national team captain, he was also a member of the Canadian team that appeared at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. As a coach, Miller has served as an assistant to both the Canadian men's and women's national teams, while he also served as interim head coach of the Canadian men's team in 2003.
In a playing career that spanned two decades, Miller began life as a professional when he joined Toronto Blizzard of the old North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1982. Two years later, the midfielder moved back to Scotland and joined Old Firm giants Rangers FC before heading south to England for a spell with Doncaster Rovers. In 1988 and 1990, Miller spent some time in the old Canadian Soccer League with Hamilton Steelers before appearing with several clubs in Scotland. This included two spells with Hamilton Academical, as well as further stints with St. Johnstone, Heart of Midlothian, Dumfermline Athletic, and Ayr United. His first coaching role came at Hamilton Academical, where he served as player-manager during 1998-99 Scottish First Division season.
Miller resides in Abbotsford, BC, with his wife Maria and their two teenage children Ryan and Sarah.
Whitecaps 2010 season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets include all men's and women's team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, as well as priority listing for Vancouver MLS 2011 in BC Place. For more information on the 2010 season ticket packages, visit whitecapsfc.com or call 604.669.WAVE (9283).
North American Soccer League Stories from February 11, 2010
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