So proud of him!

[h]

Can't post it on the Boston web site as Rik wont let me, but I have to say it somewhere so why not here where everyone was always so good and so supportive to the boy.

Many congratulations to my little lad who walked off with the Conf North player of the year award at Celtic Manor at the weekend. Though he loved winning promotion with us and most certainly loved going back to Boston last season he is now desperate to become a full time footballer and to be voted the leagues best players by the leagues managers certainly wont do him any damage, so chuffed for the lad who himself has changed so much these past two years.

He put his professional intentions and hopes on twitter so the Boston supporters could see them and know exactly what's going on, why, and what his hopes both for himself and the family are, and to be fair like Stamford supporters always were, the Boston faithful totally understand about his pro dreams and appear very supportive. Well bar one absolute knob head called Naughty forties that is, who from day one spread total shit about the lad, and unfortunately still is. Even now he thinks Rik's attitude is simply taking the piss !!! and worse he's telling people he left Boston last time because he kept asking for more and more money when the truth of the matter was the joint managers never even had the courtesy to speak to him, not once. Why do people have to do that?

But hey ho, one pratt wont bother Rik (bothers me more really) he's just so really chuffed to win this award and thanks everyone who has sent him text and FB messages.

As his old man, and no disrespect meant to Boston here at all, they are a great NL club, but am obviously hoping he gets his deserved opportunity somewhere, and as a Stamford supporter just about to move into our new ground am glad to do so having banked so many memories of him knocking in some quite staggering goals for our little club at the old one, especially the play offs last year, the winning goal and ensuing celebrations of all of us took part in which is certainly right up there with the best of them.

Well done son, nearly there. X

[philb]

Well done Ricky

[stillfatoldgit]

Congratulations Rik. I feel almost as chuffed as if you were my lad. No wonder h wanted to shout about it somewhere, and where better than on the Stamford fans' website where we have always cheered him on and look forward to seeing his progress with no little pride for a product of our youth setup. I'm so excited I could crush a grape!

[daves]

We done Rik and keeping our fingers crossed for that pro contract. You will always be looked upon by Daniels fans as an exciting player who could always make something out of nothing - that's class.
Dave and Kath from red hot Las Vegas

[Dean]

Top stuff. Delighted for him. I really hope he makes the grade and gets a pro contract. It would give me more pleasure to see Ricky playing pro football than any other ex Stamford player. I remember meeting him in the Golden Fleece when he was a proper Yoof knocking around with Cooper. Am pleased to see how far he's come since then.

He so obviously loves the game, and that's what's refreshing. His goal against Chasetown (and the 31 others) that season will be remembered fondly. Let's hope he does an Ian Wright / Stuart Pearce / Lallana / Beatty and goes on to make the England grade. It does happen!

Can you give us any hints as to where he'll be next year? Conference Prem or a League 1/2 club?

[h]

You had to go and spoil it all dean by mentioning the pratt of all pratts...Cooper!

But you aren't wrong mate he was most certainly not the person he is now that's for sure and even allowing for the influence of that absolute low life, he was still a bit of a pleb himself. How things have thankfully changed.

Courtesy of his dedication to the gym, courtesy of Lewis Webb at Posh, he's now built like a light middle weight and is even doing gym work on holiday!!

But as for clubs mate who knows. Have to say I'm amazed no-one concrete has come in for him yet. Having got friendly with Bostons Chief Steward I know most of the clubs who came down to watch him, from would you believe Hibernian down to Halifax,who Boston turned down two transfer bids from just before the window closed and there really were loads.

We hear speculative stories and reports Dean from decent sources too, about the interest from many clubs, but interest really doesn't equate to anything more than that.

Personally I think he could easily skip the conference prem and hopefully the award may make that easier to achieve, but hand on heart, no idea whatsoever, I just hope he gets rewarded for his efforts with a full time position somewhere, god willing it will happen soon.

[Marc]

Congratulations to him on his move to Luton. At least it's not too much of a trek for home games H!

[Deleted]

Jun 25, 2014 7:38:12 GMT Marc said:

Congratulations to him on his move to Luton. At least it's not too much of a trek for home games H!

Hmmm, indeed Well done to the lad.

Might go and watch him play when The Hatters play Northampton!!!!

[jeremy]

Well done and good luck to Ricky.

[h]

Not saying a word until medical is finished. Bloody four hours!

[jeremy]

What's that H 15 mins for Ricky, 3 hrs 45 for you??

[vinnie]

"I'm going to work my nuts off," says Ricky Miller

[jb]

I've lost count of the number of times Ricky has been with us but we will all remember his downside. A red card card for kicking a Spalding player (why not I hear some say). Running half the pitch
at Biggleswade to argue with the referee and getting two yellow cards in 30 seconds.

Then Hats rings me and says "I'm thinking of bringing Miller in but all I hear is bad news. What's the background" It was an easy answer "he will score great goals but impossible to manage"

Hats took the risk and Ricky proved me and all the other doubters wrong. Some spectacular goals but barely a wrong word or reaction- even when chopped down at Belper and booked for diving.

Ricky has grown up and a partner and baby focuses the mind. His season at Boston showed what he can do at a higher level. But now he has the opportunity we all thought he is capable of.

I'm delighted Ricky has his chance - just grab it Ricky.

[northern uproar]

I think we all share that sentiment John.

Over the years Luton manager John Still has built an excellent reputation for taking players out of the non league and guiding them into the pro-ranks, most notable perhaps is Dwight Gayle who he signed (whilst at Dagenham and Redbridge) from Bishop's Stortford and sold on to Peterborough United.

[philb]

Have to agree with all that JB has written about Ricky
Yes Hats took a risk when signing him but what a fantastic signing it turned out to be
Before he signed for Boston United, John Blackwell rang me asking about Ricky and his discipline etc as they had heard varying tales and look what happened next, player of the season for conference north!!
Best of luck with Luton Ricky from all at Stamford AFC you deserve it

[jayjay]

Well done Ricky all your hard word have paided off good luck in the pro ranks

[Deleted]

The memory of those goals at Rainworth, Belper and the Play-Off Final will stick in the memory for a LONG time!!!

[h]

Must admit the lad is really buzzing at the moment. Apparently Luton had watched him 6,7 times (don't know how that escaped me?)and could have easily taken more money elsewhere but those who know him well know that whilst important money has never been the determining factor. I remember him living in Fleet yet still coming up to play just for expenses for what for 3,4 months?

Actually their interest was confirmed in a casual conversation John Still had with our own John Drewnicki last Friday who pointed out that Rik was indeed out of contract and half an hour later the manager and Rik had spoken. I owe John a drink for that one!

Luton are a huge club and ideally just down the road from a lot of family and many friends in and around the St Albans area, but he's not daft, he knows with a handful of strikers already there it's going to be a huge challenge just getting in the squad never mind starting eleven, but it hasn't deterred him at all, which speaks volume for his current attitude.

Was speaking to Gresh Tuesday, and he asked if Rik had told the Boston manager, he hadn't. But instead of texting or making a quick phone call, he decided not to only go to tell him personally but would go to training the night before he was due to sign as well. Suggesting whilst his attitude has been transformed his brain cells got left behind. What would have happened if he had picked up an injury for gods sake, but that I am happy to say sums the lad up, he now genuinely lives and breathes football (and family)and he has now 6,7 weeks to prove to the Luton management that he is worthy of a start come August. Have certainly never seen Rik so determined.

Apart from one numpty, the Boston supporters as were those at Stamford before them have really got behind him and the way he went about things and have sent him so many messages of good luck you wouldn't believe.

We shall just have to wait and see obviously but if he manages to get in the team early on in the season, I think I may well sneak into the nearest bookies and enquire about the odds on top goalscorer, because training five days a week fore the first time ever will in my eyes will improve him as much as 15/20% and that will be very interesting.

Made up for the lad and can't wait for the pre-season matches to start, especially against Posh. He starts training next week...in Portugal apparently which I guess is the difference between Luton and even a great NL but semi pro club like Boston and will make sure he knows all about your best wishes.

[daves]

Well done Rik
But if you score 2 hat tricks against Burton Albion next season - I will not be standing with your bloody dad ever again.
Will watch your progress with pride knowing I sponsored you for a couple of seasons at Stamford.
Do I get my money back H.

[h]

if he ends up in the championship then yes Mr S, I will personally return your sponsorship money mate

[Dean]

Great news. Really pleased for him. I have great memories of him at Stamford, and genuinely hope he makes it as a pro footballer. It would give us all great pleasure to see him progress even further.

[h]

Their top goal scorer from last year was sold to Brentford yesterday as well, that wont do his chances any harm either!