Tributes pour in for 'voice of Kidderminster Harriers' Steve Miller
Tributes have poured in following the death of much-loved football commentator Steve Miller, the man nicknamed the “voice of Kidderminster Harriers”.
Miller was familiar to thousands of supporters after commentating on more than 1,000 matches for BBC radio over a period of more than 30 years. He was also the club’s long-time Express & Star correspondent for away matches.
Writing on the Harriers website, head of media and Miller’s co-commentator Matty Paddock described his colleague and friend as “one of a kind”.
He wrote: "He was – he is – my very dear friend.
"We spent so many hours discussing the beautiful game and its ugly side. He was so proud of his family. He is simply one-of-a-kind, a colossus, an epic human and a triumph of a character."
Paddock continued: “When I first sat next to ‘The Millerman’ for a commentary at Cambridge in 2008, he coached me in my role as summariser in a way I’ve never forgotten.
“He told me: ‘It’s my job to tell people what has happened, and your job to tell them why it has happened.’
“Well, partner, 17 years later, I can just about understand what has happened. But it feels as though you’ve been taken so quickly and it’s not at all fair, so just why it has happened, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to say.
“I just know I’ll miss you, and that without ‘the Voice of The Harriers’, Aggborough will never be the same.”
Miller began his broadcasting career on Radio Wyvern and also covered his hometown club, Worcester City.
But it is Harriers with whom he will always be most closely associated. having commentated on promotions, relegations, the 2007 FA Trophy final and FA Cup giant-killings over Peterborough and Reading.
Outside of football, he worked as a sale manager for Apollo Tyres and was also heavily involved in the company’s truck racing team.
Current and former Harriers players and managers also paid tribute to Miller, who was diagnosed with cancer in December and died on Saturday. The club will hold a minute's applause before Tuesday night's National League North fixture with King's Lynn Town.
Striker Amari Morgan-Smith wrote on social media: “Your voice alone will live long in so many iconic moments for the football club. Thoughts with your family and loved ones.”
Long-serving winger Ashley Hemmings, posted: “Such a sad day for us all at Kidderminster hearing of the passing on the legend Steve!
“You’ll be a massive miss here at Aggborough but you’ll never be forgotten. My strength and prayers go out to the family in this difficult time and we’re all here for you.”
Midfielder Shane Byrne, who had a brief spell as Miller’s co-commentator, posted: “Very sad to read the news of the passing of Steve Miller. Had the real pleasure of sitting next to him and commentating on the last few Harriers games that I was there for.
“An iconic voice, brilliant, passionate commentator and all round lovely man. RIP Steve.”
Former Harriers boss Russ Penn told the BBC: "Steve knew the inside stories that didn't always go out to the press, it's things like that, that you always remember, he was very very supportive, it's just so sad."
