Miller vows to stay at club as angry creditors hit out

businessmen question whether Dons legend should be allowed to remain in Pittodrie post

 

By Ryan Crighton

 

Published: 05/02/2010

 

ABERDEEN Football Club’s under-fire director of football has vowed to stay at Pittodrie despite the growing anger over his business dealings.

 

The Press and Journal revealed on Saturday that the Dons legend’s latest failed restaurant venture, Skippers, ran up debts of more than £350,000 before closing last month. Almost 20 local firms, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen College are among the creditors left counting the cost of his third restaurant shutdown in five years.

 

Angry businessmen and some fans are now questioning if the former Scotland international should remain in such a high-profile role at Aberdeen FC.

 

Since 2004, Mr Miller has been overseeing the football operation at the club, from youth level to the first team, and has a seat on the board. Speaking about Skippers for the first time since the business closed, Mr Miller said it had not left his position at the club under threat.

 

He insisted he had “nothing to hide†over the failed venture, and that all the paperwork had been handed to the liquidators.

 

The 54-year-old urged angry creditors not to take their anger out on him or the club.

 

He said: “I understand their frustration, but making it personal is not the way to go. I will answer any questions they want to put to me.

 

“There is no doubt over my future (at the club). I am totally committed to the work I have done at the club over the last five years.

 

“I have put time and effort into the youth set-up and I want to see the fruits of that.

 

“There is absolutely no way I will be going.â€

 

Potterton-based potato supplier WM Fraser is among the creditors hit by the collapse of the Queens Links Leisure Park restaurant business.

 

Last night, company boss Tim Halliwell said questions must be asked over Mr Miller’s role with the Dons.

 

“I think that (Mr Miller’s future) it is up to the Aberdeen board, but I have drawn my own conclusions,†he said.

 

“If he has failed running a fish and chip shop, that perhaps questions whether he is fit to be on the board of Aberdeen Football Club.â€

 

Banff baker George Moir, who has followed the Dons for 40 years, said he was Mr Miller’s biggest fan until doing business with him.

 

He said: “Everyday working folk have been hit by this and I am disappointed that it is being mentioned in the same breath as Aberdeen FC.

 

“I held him in such high esteem as a player and a club representative, so it is disappointing that this has blotted his image.â€

 

Another among the unpaid businesses is Grampian Electrical Services (GES), of Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen.

 

It carried out electrical work worth thousands of pounds at the Skippers site, which was previously occupied by bar-and-grill venture Fandangos.

 

GES director Scott Findlay does not believe the Dons legend should be forced out of Pittodrie, however.

 

He said: “What he does in business and what he does at Pittodrie are different things, so it is up to (Aberdeen FC chairman) Stewart Milne to judge.

 

“I don’t want to see a witch-hunt. I am disappointed at what has happened, but that is with Willie Miller the businessman.

 

“I just want what is fair and right. It is nothing personal.â€

 

Fans posting messages on internet forums were split on Mr Miller’s future last night.

 

One said his business dealings making front-page news was a “disgrace to the football club and the cityâ€.

 

Another however said: “Willie Miller's business activities have nothing to do with Aberdeen FC. He's doing a great job as director of football, as the blooding of so many decent youngsters displays.â€

 

Last night, a spokesman for the Dons said: “His restaurant business and his job at the club are two totally different things. As far as we are concerned, Willie will be continuing as normal in his role as director of football.â€

 

Mr Miller is understood to have been confronted by city businessman John King at Union Street’s Soul Bar after Aberdeen’s 3-0 defeat against Motherwell at the weekend.

 

Mr King, who supplied Skippers with fish, declined to comment last night.

 

Mr Miller said he had been out with a friend, Lex Hall, who was celebrating overcoming cancer.

 

The club spokesman added: “The guy who caused the problem was thrown out of the bar because of his behaviour. Willie was not.â€

Willie's going to struggle to dig himself out of this one but It's a clear case of going after the peson who is least at fault for our current issues, fucking pointless.

 

When hunting for witches go for the leader. 

Willie's going to struggle to dig himself out of this one but It's a clear case of going after the peson who is least at fault for our current issues, fucking pointless.

 

When hunting for witches go for the leader.

I disagree. It think he will survive this for one simple reason. His boss.

 

But I don't understand your post? What are our current issues? Who is at fault?

It's his boss that's the problem.

 

Have we won anything under Stewart Milne's leadership.

 

I have no love for a man who has the means to make us a force but chooses not to.

It's his boss that's the problem.

 

Have we won anything under Stewart Milne's leadership.

 

I have no love for a man who has the means to make us a force but chooses not to.

Which is exactly why "Willie won't struggle to get himself out of this one".

It's his boss that's the problem.

 

Have we won anything under Stewart Milne's leadership.

 

I have no love for a man who has the means to make us a force but chooses not to.

 

I thought that was what you were alluding too, and I agree. But then we get into the territory of not being able to attract a buyer. To be honest, if WM survives this, it merely emphasises the problems at the club.

If Milne needs another deflector shield that has less baggage he'll do it.

 

 

If Milne needs another deflector shield that has less baggage he'll do it.

The baggage that WM has is of no interest to SM. He would only act if he felt the fans were demanding it and we don't know enough behind the scenes to demand his removal. All we see are same old same old shite on the pitch, a couple of promising younsters coming through and a tragic figure cutting about town. Miller's failed chippers are of no consequence to SM as he pursues what he pursues. There are not problems plural at the club, there is a problem singular and until this is recognised we are powerless to influence him.

The baggage that WM has is of no interest to SM. He would only act if he felt the fans were demanding it and we don't know enough behind the scenes to demand his removal. All we see are same old same old shite on the pitch, a couple of promising younsters coming through and a tragic figure cutting about town. Miller's failed chippers are of no consequence to SM as he pursues what he pursues. There are not problems plural at the club, there is a problem singular and until this is recognised we are powerless to influence him.

 

Problem singular?

 

What are our current issues? Who is at fault?

 

 

Multiple problems caused by one man.

 

Sadly that person is also the only solution.

Multiple problems caused by one man.

 

Sadly that person is also the only solution.

 

Well, that pretty much sums up the daftness of the situation.

Multiple problems caused by one man.

 

Sadly that person is also the only solution.

I agree. Milne has the power to influence everything. We have the power to influence him. This is only now becoming apparent to the masses.

I agree with Rocket, Miller is exactly like the bold highlight.... whether you live in Glasgow or New Zealand - you miss the sorry case that he has become - forget 1983 - see 2010 and him chasing after young tail like a sorry auld man

 

Who gives a fuck who he's shagging, as long as its legal?