Tributes to 'one-of-a-kind' football commentator

Tributes have poured in following the death of Steve Miller, a BBC radio commentator described as a "local legend".

Miller covered football matches for BBC Hereford & Worcester for more than 30 years becoming known as the voice of Kidderminster Harriers coverage.

He commentated on nearly 1,100 matches during his career, which included games by Rushden & Diamonds, Bromsgrove Rovers and Worcester City.

The broadcaster, who lived in Worcester with his family, was diagnosed with cancer in December and died on Saturday.

"He was – he is – my very dear friend," said Matty Paddock, Harriers' head of mediaand Miller's co-commentator for 17 seasons.

"We spent so many hours discussing the beautiful game and its ugly side. He was so proud of his family.

"Of his work (he could sell bottled water to fish, he was that charming salesman!) "And of his truck racing in recent years which took him around around the world and gave him so much fun.

"He is simply one-of-a-kind, a colossus, an epic human and a triumph of a character."

Former Kidderminster Harriers manager Russ Penn said: "He knew the inside stories that didn't always go out to the press, it's things like that, that you always remember, he was very very supportive, it's just so sad."

Mark Yates, another former Kidderminster Harriers manager, added: "He was just a lovely man, he always supported me as the manager and I've seen and heard of him supporting managers before."

Long time colleague Chris Williams wrote: "He was so professional and for doing it the number of years that he did and the games that he did, it's incredible."

BBC H&W sports editor Trevor Owen described Miller as, "a force of nature".

"Steve did what all good commentators do - he called it as he saw it. This didn't always go down that well with some, but Steve wore his heart on his sleeve.

"When Harriers were good, they were very good and when they weren't, he wasn't backwards in saying so. The same went for his legendary observations on referees."

Rhidian Jones, executive editor of BBC Hereford & Worcester added: "Steve was a valued member of our team and will be missed by all of us. As a colleague, friend and commentator he was loyal, dedicated and passionate.

"Steve was with BBC Hereford & Worcester right from the very start in 1989, and his record of nearly 1,100 Kidderminster Harriers matches covered will surely never be beaten. We send our love and condolences to Steve's family and friends."

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