UP
FRED Miller Mountain Ash Specimen of the Welsh collier.
Fred Miller a Welsh Rugby Union International player signed for Hull FC on the 2 Feb 1901, his debut game was against Runcorn at the Boulevard on the 07 Sep 1901, he found it difficult to get a regular spot in the forwards as there were big changes in the forward line up with new player being tested.
Miller got on well with the players and the management he was instrumental in assisting the Hull board in signing Ivor Morgan in 1902 and W T Osbourne, however Osbourne stayed in Wales but signed for Hull FC for the 1906 season.
Millers playing record for Hull FC is 43 matches, below is the only report I am able to find and it is whilst playing for the Mountain Ash Club. He is 26 years of age, stands 6 and weighing close to 16 stone and a native to Talybont, in Breconshire. At 13 years of age he moved to Derbyshire, where he was engaged in a coach builder yard.
It was here he took to football and soccer
being the only game in the neighbourhood he joined the Derby junction club.
His stay in Derbyshire was, however short and he, returned the following year to his native place and eleven years ago he moved to Mountain Ash and commenced working underground as a collier and is still employed in Messrs Nixons collieries.
Starting an Association club in his new home he captained the team for six years, during which time the club was very successful, one year playing all the league matches without loosing a single one. He was during that time repeatedly, selected to play for the Glamorganshire County Association against Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire.
On the, Association Club being broken up some three years go he joined the Mountain Ash Rugby Club, and has played as a forward in that club for the past three seasons.
He has represented Glamorganshire against Lancashire and Yorkshire, and it is mainly the strength of a brilliant performance against the County Palatine that he won his way to gaining the highest honours in being selected one of the only representatives of his county.
He will be the only collier in the Welsh team and as a Rugby player Miller is very fast on the ball and dangerous near the line, he is married, but no family.
Below is a Hull FC team photograph1901-02 and featuring Fred Miller second row standing second from left.
Source: South Wales Daily News 16 March 1896
