A DEDICATED amateur junior football coach has been recognised for the effort he puts in to help youngsters.
Kevin Miller, from Leigh, started coaching at Eastleigh JFC five years ago at under 7s level.
The 40-year-old now runs two under 12s sides for the club at weekends, in a Warrington league on Saturdays, and a Wigan division on Sundays.
The Sunday league side was in danger of folding a couple of years ago but Kevin stepped in to make sure it stayed afloat.
Always looking to develop the talent of his players, the dad-of-two organised a two-day football camp last summer which former Barcelona midfielder Alberto Manga, who played with Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, led.
The camp is called The Barcelona Experience.
He also arranged for Manchester United player Russell Beardsmore to deliver a month of training sessions last season too.
The team during The Barcelona Experience
The players with former Manchester United playet Russell Beardsmore
He has also been pivotal in arranging matches with Bolton Wanderers' academy to give the players a chance to play at a higher standard and showcase their skills in front of scouts.
Off the pitch, Kevin recently organised a kit collection at the club.
He is now preparing to send the collection of football gear off to two clubs in need of help in Sierra Leone and Uganda.
The football gear that will be sent to Africa
Kevin and his team at the club's presentation evening
Kevin's commitment to Eastleigh JFC was rewarded last month when he was handed the Clubman of the Year award at the club's annual presentation night.
Kevin, who also helps with the maintenance of the club's ground, said: "I love coaching, and at our age group, kids start getting an interest about really wanting to be footballers.
"With The Barcelona Experience and playing teams at Bolton, it gives them an awareness of the fitness levels they need to have and also a chance to get scouted which has happened.
"It was a nice surprise to get the award and not something I was expecting."
It has also been a big year in Kevin's career deciding to call an end to his driveway cleaning business.
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Former Westleigh High School pupil Kevin, who previously worked in banking, started a role at Leigh St John's CE Primary School in February in which he organised activity sessions for children during breaks.
His success in the job led to him being offered a teaching assistant apprenticeship at the Kirkhall Lane school which he will start in September.
"I enjoy inspiring kids to be the best that they can be," Kevin added.
Kevin lives with his wife Stacey, 35, son Jack, 11, who plays for the under 12s team, and younger son Charlie, two.
Phil Hatton, whose son Oliver plays in the team, said: "Kevin is a great person and is doing good things, not only for people in our town, but for children with very little in Africa."
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