Tom Miller (footballer)

Tom Miller (30 June 1890 – 3 September 1958) was a Scottish footballer who played for Liverpool during the early part of the 20th century.

Life and playing career

Born in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, Miller played for Larkhall Hearts, Third Lanark, Lanark United and Hamilton Academical before manager Tom Watson brought him to Anfield in February 1912 for £400. Miller made his debut in a home Football League First Division match against The Wednesday on the 17 February 1912, a game that finished 1-1, his first goal came a fortnight later on the 2 March, a division 1 match, again, at home, and again, in a 1-1 draw, this time with Middlesbrough, a game that saw the debut of a Liverpool great, winger Bill Lacey.

The inside forward was a main stay of the Reds line-up and helped the club reach their first FA Cup on the 25 April 1914, unfortunately the game ended in a 1-0 defeat to Burnley. Despite the result the day will always be remembered as it was to be the last time the show-piece final was to be played at the Crystal Palace ground but, more significantly, it was also the first time the final was played in front of a reigning monarch, George V.

Tom's career was curtailed by 4 years due to World War I but he did return to the Merseyside club in 1919 after the wars conclusion, he found the going good too, banging in a very respectable 13 goals in 25 matches, better than a goal every other game. Tom's brother John was also at the club by this time but they only appeared in 3 games together, John only made the first team 8 times in all, the first time the Miller's appeared together was in a league game at Boundary Park against Oldham on the 2 April 1920, a game that finished 1-1.

This 1919/20 season was to be Miller's last for the Reds as he was transferred to bitter rivals Man Utd on the 23 September 1920, although this wasn't before he managed to earn himself a descent goals per game ratio at Anfield scoring 56 times in 146 appearances averaging a goal every 2.6 games. Miller also played for Hearts, Torquay, Hamilton for a second spell and Raith before he drew a curtain on his career.

Tom was selected at international level, by Scotland, 3 times, is debut came whilst he was still at Liverpool in an amazing British Championship fixture at Hillsborough on the 10 April 1920, the game saw Tom score twice (13th & 40th minutes) but still finish on the losing side as England won 5-4 after being 2-4 down at half-time. Two of Liverpool's all-time greats were also playing in the match, keeper Sam Hardy and club captain Ephraim Longworth were in the England line-up.

Career details

* Liverpool F.C. (1912 - 1920) 146 appearances, 56 goals - FA Cup runners up medal, this included 4 years lost to the Great War
*flagicon|Scotland Scotland 3 appearances (1 whilst with Liverpool), 2 goals (Both whilst with Liverpool)

External links

* [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=768 Player profile at LFChistory.net]