NEW-SIGNING Tom Miller had no qualms after taking over the captaincy at Stalybridge Celtic.
“I enjoy leadership and the extra responsibility it brings,” explained the 32-year-old who took a wealth of experience to Bower Fold.
Miller, who has played more than 300 professional games, has previously been vice-captain at EFL clubs Lincoln City and Carlisle United and skipper for half a season at Irish club Dundalk.
He continued: “I have a lot of experience which the manager values as we have a young squad.
“I put myself forward to help and it is working well as the manager (Chris Willcock) is easy to talk to.”
Willock approached Miller, who was at Radcliffe last season, shortly before the start of the season.
Miller had been offered a contract to stay at Radcliffe but had been considering his future as he is establishing business interests outside football now he is no longer a full-time pro.
“Chris said he had seen me play at Radcliffe several times and, as he had an athletic, energetic, young team, he needed one or two older heads.
“I spoke to my wife who told me to carry on. The fact I live in Manchester helps as I am close to home which is important with two young children.”
Miller’s business interests involve property, trading online and the imminent launch of a plant- based food business for athletes.
It is a new chapter in the life of Miller who had been in full-time football until joining Radliffe post-Covid.
The versatile Miller, who is happy to play either in defence or midfield, admitted it has been a turbulent time as he was at Bury when the club went bust.
He said: “I had two years left of my contract and my wife was expecting our first child.
“I was out with a broken foot and couldn’t sign for anybody for four months which is when I started looking at making the transition and stepping away from football.
“Jim Bentley, then AFC Fylde manager, called and I played for them until Covid.
“I had contract offers from full-time clubs but they were not enough to cover the bills so I went part time with the focus on making the transition of a life away from football.”
After playing at Radcliffe and for Celtic, Miller admitted the level has surprised him.
He said: “I don’t think a lot of professionals realise how good a level and how difficult and different it is in non-league.
“There are a lot of excellent players and at this level they close you down quicker and they are also liable to do more spontaneous things. You have to buy into part-time football which I have done.”
When Miller looks back on his career, he admitted it has been a rollercoaster and one on which he has suffered injury problems.
Miller came through the academy set up at Norwich City where he did a two-year scholarship.
He was training with the first team and had high hopes of a professional deal when manager Peter Grant was sacked, and he was subsequently released.
Grant had links with Ally McCoist at Glasgow Rangers and Miller ended up joining them, playing for the Under-19s and reserves in his first year and training with the first team under Walter Smith and McCoist.
Life at Rangers could not have been better until Miller suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury (ACL) which kept him out for 14 months.
Miller’s career took him for one season to Dundalk where he competed in Europa League qualifiers which was a great experience.
He then had a two-year spell at Newport County before joining Lincoln City where he made more than 100 appearances across three seasons. Both clubs were in the National League
After the 2014-15 season, Miller made the step up to League Two side Carlisle United where, in three years, he helped them reach the play-offs before his ill-fated move to Bury who were also in League Two.