16/11/2004 - Miller bids fond farewell to Shots
ADAM Miller has spoken exclusively of his fond memories as an Aldershot Town player as he embarks on a dream move to his beloved Queens Park Rangers,
DEPARTED Aldershot Town midfielder Adam Miller spoke of his delight at signing for Championship side Queens Park Rangers, despite his sadness at leaving the Recreation Ground, writes ALEX NAREY.
Talented Miller made the switch to west London in a deal that surpasses any previous transfers in the club’s 12-year history, though the fee has remained undisclosed.
The 22-year old passed a routine medical on Monday as the Mail went to press, and he claimed it has always been his dream to move on with his career. However, the playmaker – who has been a revelation since Terry Brown signed him in October 2003 —will be leaving behind some very happy memories.
Speaking on Friday — the day the news of the move broke and before his former club Canvey Island were due at the Rec with Brown’s men running away with a 4-0 drubbing – Miller paid his respects to the club he believes has “made him a better player.”
He said: “I will be leaving behind some great friends and people that I have become very close to. With the greatest respect to Aldershot, I hope there are no problems with the deal as I want to go as far as I can in the game. It’s beyond thinking really and it is a deal that I am delighted with but I have a medical on Monday so I’m trying to keep it down until then.
“If chances like this come up, you have to take them. Every player should want to go as far as they can in the game and I am no different.”
The deal is nothing short of a dream come true for Miller. A lifelong QPR fan, he has made no secret of his aims and hopes in the game. But he was quick to heap praise on his manager at Aldershot, Terry Brown.
He added: “I never wanted to put anyone in a false situation and, like I said, it is my dream to move on in the game. Terry has been great for me in the last year. Not only has he helped me with my game, as Martin Kuhl has, but he has helped me off the pitch as well. They have both talked to me regularly, which has helped.
“People may laugh, but I would want to move on from QPR at some stage as that is only natural.”
About his friends at Aldershot and the team he leaves behind, Miller simply said: “They are all very genuine people. Myself and Aaron (McLean) are very tight, but I have become very close to Hugh (McAuley) as well.
“The squad that Terry has built is top-class. You look at how we have been playing this year, and we haven’t been firing at all and yet we are still third in the league. That’s frightening!
The teams around us have been in top form but we are still there with them. There is no doubt that, when everyone is fit and the boys are on form, nobody in the Conference can touch us.”
With the departure so sudden — especially after Miller netted for the reserves at Loftus Road last week — the midfielder hasn’t had time to say his goodbyes to the fans, who he also thanked, saying: “I’ll be down the Rec again soon to thank them all and say goodbye to everyone. I won’t forget how good they have all been to me.”
Meanwhile, Brown said about the move: “Adam is a quality player at this level and I’m sure he will go on to be a quality player at Championship level.
“Ian Holloway has taken a gamble on him and it’s a shrewd gamble. Everyone at the club wishes Adam well. As long as he works hard, I’m sure he will carve out a fabulous career for himself.”