Jimmy Miller (1953-2025)

Greenock Morton Football Club has learned of the passing of former player Jimmy Miller, who was part of Benny Rooney’s fine Morton team between 1978 and 1980.

A local man, Jimmy played for Port Glasgow YC and won 2 Scottish Amateur Youth caps in 1969 as a 16-year old; he subsequently joined the youth set-up at Leicester City, before signing for Aberdeen in November 1971; with limited opportunities for first-team football at Pittodrie, Jimmy moved to Queen of the South in 1974, making over 100 appearances for the Palmerston Park club in three seasons. The last two were under the guidance of new Manager Mike Jackson, with whom he was to become re-acquainted later at Cappielow.

A £12,000 move to Premier League Motherwell followed in March 1977, where Jimmy played for almost two seasons before signing for Morton in February 1978, for a reported £10,000 transfer fee. He was brought in to help get the club’s promotion push over the line, and played in the final 14 League matches of the season, including the brilliant 3-1 victory over Airdrieonians at Cappielow. 9,000 supporters celebrated as Morton clinched a memorable victory, going up to the Premier Division as Champions.

An energetic and intelligent midfielder, Jimmy was virtually an ever-present in Morton’s debut season in the top flight, making 45 appearances in all competitions. Deployed mainly as Morton’s No.8, he also played a number of games at right-back, covering for an injured Davie Hayes. He made a further 30 appearances for Morton in the memorable 1979/80 season, when Morton briefly sat at the top of the League. His versatility shone through, Jimmy wearing the No.2,3,4,6 & 8 jerseys that season.

Moving into 1980/81 season, he moved to Craig Brown’s Clyde in September 1980, before returning to Queen of the South in December 1981. He finished his playing career at Albion Rovers in 1983/84, having made over 330 appearances overall, including 92 for Morton. Jimmy was not renowned for his goalscoring exploits, netting just 7 throughout his career, and none for Morton. At Cappielow, he was a very important player in Benny Rooney’s excellent team.

Our thoughts go out to Jimmy’s family and friends at this very sad time