‘Wizz’ missing his football fix

Bonnyrigg White Eagles’ long serving skipper Ray Miller desperately needs his football fix back!

Known to many as a Painter by trade in the day but a razzler on the football pitch at night, Miller is counting the days of returning back to what he loves most and that’s the round ball game.

“I am missing football greatly I won’t lie.

“I am missing my teammates, the club and the amazing White Eagles fans as well.

“What I’m missing most though is the ninety minutes of pure football passion and the competitiveness that has been with me my entire life, that’s something you cannot buy or replace anywhere with anything on this earth.”

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on Miller’s plans in guiding the White Eagles to hopeful promotion back to the higher echelon’s of top tier Men’s football for now, but since the disruption, the 30-year-old has continued on with his work as a painter as well as staying fit training alongside his fiancé Georgia on top of perfecting his golf game.

“I run my own business as a painter and have definitely been one of the lucky people that has been able to keep working full-time with no real hiccup, for now it’s been business as usual.

“Along with work, I have been playing my normal amount of golf and staying fit and healthy by training and running with my Fiancé.

“I have also been keeping myself busy in the afternoons and weekends by working around the house and doing a lot of things that I have always told Georgia I’d do once the season finishes (laughs).

“I’m missing friends and family like everyone else, though, at this unbelievable time, you have to do the right thing and put everyone’s safety first.”

Miller actually played his memorable 100th match and cracked a huge milestone for his beloved White Eagles in round 1 of the NPL 2 NSW Men’s competition.

The crafty attacker promoted that coach Wayne O’Sullivan and his coaching staff have put together a productive self-isolation program ensuring he and his teammates are on the buzzer ready for action once the hopeful green light is given to play once more.

“Sully and the club were very proactive with the COVID-19 situation from the start of the shutdown and provided us all with home programs designed to keep us fit, strong as well as keeping our touches on point.

“Fortunately for me, Georgia is a fit and active person so we’ve been doing a fair bit of running and she too has put me through my paces with her exercise routines which have helped.”

Having seen how perfect Bonnyrigg Sports Ground is at present with photos emerging on social media on how lush the surface is thanks to passionate club board member and advocate Nikola Pozder keeping it trim, Miller hopes that he can again enjoy it as long as the football family continues to follow the safety protocols set out by the Federal and State Governments.

“The safety measures that were put in place by the government have been in the best interest for the country and for everyone’s wellbeing.

“That was the government’s number one priority and as you can see, results are speaking for themselves as things are getting better.

“There is nothing I and every other football fan want more than seeing our game up and running.

“For now, we all need to stick together, keep supporting one another and work on the best possible solution to getting us playing NPL football once more.

“I can’t wait to play on our home turf sooner rather than later.”