Wigan goalkeeping coach and ex-Crystal Palace keeper Kevin Miller dies aged 57
Kevin Miller, the former Crystal Palace, Watford and Exeter City goalkeeper, has died unexpectedly at the age of 57. Miller had joined Wigan Athletic as first-team goalkeeping coach during the summer and died on Tuesday night, prompting tributes from across the English game.
A short but valued spell at Wigan
Wigan said Miller had rapidly established himself within the first-team staff at the Brick Community Stadium despite his brief time at the League One club. The club highlighted his experience, professional standards and enthusiasm for coaching goalkeepers, while also recognising the positive influence he had on those around him.
His move to Wigan followed a coaching period at Exeter City under Gary Caldwell. Miller left the Devon club in June to join Caldwell’s staff with the Latics.
Exeter connection defined a long career
Although Miller played throughout the Football League, Exeter was the club most closely associated with his career. He began in non-league football in Cornwall with Newquay and Falmouth Town before making his breakthrough at St James Park in 1989.
He had two spells as an Exeter player, making 252 appearances for the Grecians. During an initial stint of around 200 matches, he helped the club win the fourth-tier title and became a popular figure with supporters. He later returned to the club as a coach.
Exeter remembered Miller as a commanding goalkeeper with a strong competitive edge, and sent condolences to his family and friends. The club also extended its thoughts to Caldwell and former Exeter staff now working at Wigan.
Premier League ever-present at Crystal Palace
Miller’s form at Birmingham City and Watford earned him a £1.5 million transfer to Crystal Palace in 1997. He played all 38 of Palace’s Premier League matches in the 1997-98 season.
Palace were relegated that year, but Miller remained the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in the Championship before joining Barnsley in 1999. His Selhurst Park spell was the peak of a career in which he built a reputation as a dependable senior goalkeeper.
- Miller started out with Newquay and Falmouth Town in Cornwall.
- He joined Exeter City in 1989 and helped the club to the fourth-tier championship.
- A £1.5 million move took him from Watford to Crystal Palace in 1997.
- He completed Palace’s full 38-match Premier League programme in 1997-98.
- After coaching at Exeter, he joined Wigan Athletic’s first-team staff this summer.
A career spanning 738 professional matches
In addition to Exeter, Birmingham, Watford, Crystal Palace and Barnsley, Miller represented Bristol Rovers, Southampton and Torquay United. His professional playing career amounted to 738 appearances.
- Miller was 57 at the time of his death.
- He was Wigan Athletic’s first-team goalkeeping coach.
- He made 252 appearances across two spells with Exeter City.
- He played every Premier League fixture for Crystal Palace in 1997-98.
- His £1.5 million Palace transfer came in 1997.
