Spennymoor Town are delighted to announce the appointment of Tommy Miller as our new first team manager.

The 42-year-old former Premier League midfielder has been at the club since 2016, and his unveiling as manager follows a short stint as interim boss following the departure of Jason Ainsley in December 2020.

Miller arrived at The Brewery Field as Ainsley’s assistant before Moors’ successful promotion campaign in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, having previously enjoyed a playing career which spanned two decades.

Highly respected and dedicated to Moors’ relentless development in recent years, Miller has played an integral role in a management team that has solidified Spennymoor’s position as an established National League North outfit.

Miller was given the role on an interim basis during the latter stages of the 2020/21 campaign, overseeing an unbeaten three game league sequence which included a stunning 3-1 victory at Gateshead in late December.

The philosophy is simple for me. Winning football. Each game is different and each one brings its own challenges, so we have to be well prepared and be willing to fight for each other in order to reach our targets in what is a very competitive division.

Having begun as a schoolboy at Ipswich Town, he moved back to the North-East and came through the youth system at Hartlepool United where he quickly rose to stardom.

His form eventually attracted the interest of his former employers in 2001, gaining Hartlepool a record £1 million pound fee for his services.

His impact at Portman Road earned him a move to Sunderland in 2005, with Miller making over 30 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats, scoring three goals, before spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and Swindon Town.

Overall, Moors’ new manager made over 600 professional senior appearances and scored over 100 times before retiring from playing in 2016.

Miller sat down with Moors TV to discuss his appointment. He said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to be appointed Spennymoor Town manager on a full time basis.

“I would like to thank the Chief Executive, Brad Groves, and Managing Director, Tony Wilson, for giving me the opportunity, and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“Having been at the club for just under five years now, I know how professionally ran everything is and the plans in place to take Spennymoor Town forward.

“There is a lot to sort and organise in preparation for the new season, but I can’t wait to get started as it’s something I have always wanted to do since finishing my playing career.

“I’m confident that with the players I bring into the football club alongside the group we already have, we can be right up there when it matter next season.

“The philosophy is simple for me. Winning football. Each game is different and each one brings its own challenges, so we have to be well prepared and be willing to fight for each other in order to reach our targets in what is a very competitive division.”

It’s no secret that there was a lot of interest in the position and we were inundated with candidates, but we felt that Tommy had earned his opportunity to take the role.

Wilson, Managing Director, said: “It was a no-brainer giving Tommy the role on a permanent basis.

“Tommy’s professionalism and drive towards planning and building upon the great work he and Jason have done has been clear for all to see.

“It’s no secret that there was a lot of interest in the position and we were inundated with candidates, but we felt that Tommy had earned his opportunity to take the role.

“It was evident to us that Tommy’s ambitions matched the club’s, and his plans for the season ahead are clear.

“We know the National League North is a tough division to get out of, but we will be doing our utmost to compete with the sides at the top of the league and finish as high as we can.

“I think I can speak for everyone when I say that I am hoping for a complete season, with fans, and for Spennymoor Town Football Club to deliver its potential both on and off the pitch.”

Miller will be announcing his back room staff and players in the near future as preparation for the 2021/22 season get underway.

Miller made over 600 professional appearances during a playing career spanning two decades.