THE local football world has been rocked by the news that former Premier League and Football League goalkeeper Kevin Miller has died at the age of 57.

It is understood that Falmouth-born Miller, who has been working for Wigan Athletic this season, died in his sleep on Tuesday night.

Miller was appointed by the Lancashire club in June as first team goalkeeper coach, teaming up again with former Exeter manager Gary Caldwell.

He had spent four years in a similar role with the Grecians, a club he made most appearances for (209) during an illustrious professional career.

He also played for Birmingham City (24 appearances), Watford (128), Crystal Palace (66), Barnsley (115), Bristol Rovers (72), Southampton (7) and Torquay United on loan (7).

When he retired from professional football, he was snapped up by South Western League side Bodmin Town in 2007 and as manager Darren Gilbert’s number one the club won multiple trophies over his nine-year stay at Priory Park.

AFC St Austell joint manager Olly Brokenshire, who was in the same Bodmin team, said: “Kevin was one of a kind and the best goalkeeper I have ever played with. He was a fantastic senior player and role model to have in your dressing room. RIP big man.”

Miller was the product of the Falmouth Town youth scheme in 1985, starting at 15 as a midfield player before manager Keith Rashleigh persuaded him to take up goalkeeping in the Cornwall Combination League team.

He joined Newquay in 1988 and enjoyed great success with the Peppermints, breaking the SWL goals conceded record under manager Trevor Mewton.

Miller was then signed by former Leeds and England left back Terry Cooper for Exeter, where he was a key figure in the Grecians’ fourth division title-winning team.

He later followed Cooper to Birmingham, Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Bristol Rovers. He also spent three seasons at Watford.

His move to Premiership side Palace from Watford in June 1997 saw the most expensive fee of his career being paid – £1.5million. He had been poised to sign for Nottingham Forest, even playing in a friendly for them, but they failed to agree a fee.

He initially retired from football in August 2005, but in February 2006 he was signed by Southampton manager George Burley, whose side was short on goalkeepers.

Miller displaced Paul Smith in the first team and played the final seven games of the 2005/06 season, helping the team to five wins and a draw. This form was appreciated and the club offered him a one-year extension tin his contract, which he accepted.

In January 2007, he signed a one-month loan deal with League Two strugglers Torquay, making his debut on January 26 in a 4–1 win at home to Grimsby Town, the Gulls’ first win in 20 league games.

Miller returned to Southampton at the end of the loan spell and was released in May 2007.

Returning to non-league football, Miller joined Bodmin in October 2007. He retired from playing at the end of the 2014/15 season, aged 46, but was then persuaded to do another season at the club.