Miller looking to shine at Accrington Stanley (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Miller looking to shine at Accrington Stanley

2:20pm Saturday 7th July 2012 in Sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

GEORGE Miller believes a taste of first team football last season has made him ready to shine at Accrington Stanley after being one of 21 players allowed to leave Preston by controversial boss Graham Westley.

Miller suffered disappointment at the end of last term when he was released by the club he joined as a boy, spending 12 years at Deepdale in total.

The 20-year-old had hoped to earn a new contract after making seven appearances for Preston’s first team last term but is determined now to make a success of his move to Stanley on a one-year deal.

The Reds have also brought in another released Preston midfielder, 18-year-old Luke Clark as well as fellow teenagers Bohan Dixon and Lewis Hatch this summer.

But Miller is regarded as the most experienced of the quartet and the most prepared for League Two football.

“I had a little taste of first team football last year and I want a bit more now,” Miller said.

“I think I’ve got something to prove to myself, having played a lot of reserve team football.”

Former Blackburn Rovers player Mick Rathbone, who knew Miller from a spell working as Preston’s physio, helped facilitate the player’s move to Stanley.

And Miller says he has now put behind him the disappointment of being released by Westley.

“At the end of last season we all had individual meetings and then I was told,” he said.

“I definitely couldn’t have given any more last season so in that respect I was a little bit surprised, but he’s got his own players there now and he’s creating a team so I hope Preston do well this year.

“There was no real looking back, I had a couple of days to get over it and I was excited for the new challenge.

“Mick Rathbone is a really nice man and he did help me, when I came to meet Paul Cook he came with me and it didn’t take long to sign.”