The Clan have their Man!

Former Derby County FC and Canadian Men's National team coach Colin Miller of Abbotsford BC was introduced by GM Drew Finerty as the first Head Coach for the Victoria Highlanders FC franchise of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) at a reception at Bear Mountain Resort Wednesday. Miller then went on to introduce his impressive staff of assistant coaches that will lead the Highlanders into their first season in the Premier Development division of the USL next spring. The staff have a distinct Victoria flavor along with tremendous resumes in the coaching fraternity (regionally, nationally and internationally) from the world of soccer.

Dante Zanatta, the current Head Coach of the Lower Island's District Development Center and former bench boss of the Victoria United (PCL) will be joined by Victoria raised Shel Brodsgaard and a relatively new resident to the island, Steve Simonson to work with Miller in building out the club that is owned by former Thrifty Foods executive, Alex Campbell Jr. "We are tremendously excited to have a Head Coach with Colin's credentials" stated Finerty. "He was the person I wanted once I learned he may be available following a coaching stint with the English Premier League club Derby. The fact he has played in Scotland, coached in England and with our Canadian National Men's team illustrates the quality of Coach we are getting. Fans will be excited to see the attractive style of play that will be presented by our club with this outstanding staff of coaches".

Miller, 43 was the youngest player in the North American Soccer League (NASL) when he was drafted by the Toronto Blizzard at age 18 in 1982. He went on to play his first game for Canada at 19 and was signed by Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premiership at age 20. He went on to play 61 games (38 as Captain) for Canada before serving as an assistant and interim coach with the Nats. Miller also played with Doncaster Rovers, Hamilton Steelers, St. Johnstone, Hearts (of Midlothaian), Dumfermline and Ayr United in a professional playing career that spanned 18 years. However, his 7 years as Head Coach for Abbotsford youth soccer and three with their PDL club also known as the Rangers. "I am thrilled with the opportunity to coach the Highlanders in a league with a tremendous standard Milller told a crowd gathered to learn who will take the helm for the first season starting in April ' 09. I really like the vision Alex and Drew have laid out for the club over the next ten years, so we are going to put a quality team on the park and with the support of my staff, develop young footballers on the Island that can be supported to achieve their athletic goals, especially those young players 15-19. Sadly, we are a third-world country in the football world and if we are going to help Dale Mitchell prepare a national team that can get back to the World Cup, it is our responsibility to develop elite players to move the sport along. We can start here and at the same time provide an entertainment package that regional soccer fans obviously are passionate to support."

Coach Miller and his staff will start immediately to identify and evaluate potential players hosting camps in late May and early June. Selections from those camps will then train on the Island and play a friendly and/or tournament in July. Watch for more news in the coming weeks on evaluation camp locations and details.