JERSEY BOY’S SO GLAD FOR CHANCE!
More talent in Channel Islands, insists Miley
THIS TIME last year Cav Miley was an electrician in Jersey. He captained a Jersey FA side against England C in St Helier and went back to his day job hoping his professional football chance would eventually come.
Former Aston Villa manager Brian Little had been working with the Jersey side and had spotted something in the midfielder.
Little recommended Miley to Richard Hill at Eastleigh and, a three-month contract later, the 23year-old was living in Southampton trying to prove his ability to the Spitfires.
He soon did that, becoming one of the shining lights in a difficult season for the club that has led to a new deal with Andy Hessenthaler’s side.
And the England C call-up topped a perfect season on the mainland.
Tempo
“I was playing for St Paul’s in Jersey,” Miley says. “Brian Little came over to Jersey for a couple of months and he said he thought I could play football in the UK, whether it was here or a lower division.
“Richard Hill at Eastleigh gave me the opportunity and I got game time. It took time to settle in. Richard gave me a three-month contract at the time and it gave me time to settle.
“I didn’t play for the first two months and training every day and living away from home was completely new. But I’m extremely appreciative for the opportunity I was given and over the moon it is working out.
“The tempo of training was completely different to anything I’d experienced. It’s so easy to sit on the side and say whether you can play or not but I never really did know until I was given that opportunity. Luckily enough I was.
“I did OK in my first game and felt I could push on from there. The game is more physical, quicker, completely different to in Jersey.
“I’ve enjoyed it. I’m still trying to find my feet, I think, playing football over here and I want to
learn and push on every day. Hopefully that happens.” Miley is thankful for the support Little and Hill gave him and acknowledges that he got the breaks he needed.
But he feels that there’s plenty more talent on Jersey, perhaps shown by the fact his former St Paul’s team-mate Euan Van der Vliet was also part of England C’s squad in Ireland.
“It’s not easy,” Miley says. “Brian Little has been massive for me in every way, on and off the pitch, and Richard Hill for giving me the opportunity.
“It’s a Saturday league in Jersey,
“IT’S NOT BEEN EASY. BRIAN LITTLE HAS BEEN MASSIVE FOR ME IN EVERY WAY, ON AND OFF THE PITCH, AND RICHARD HILL FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY”
no one earns money and everyone works. I was a qualified electrician. You train once or twice a week and play on Saturdays with your mates. It’s enjoyable.
“St Paul’s are probably the best club in Jersey and the Channel Islands. I wouldn’t have been as prepared as I was if it wasn’t for them and coming up through their system.
Privilege
“There’s a lot of talented players there I think could come over here and play full-time football. There’s lads who, given the opportunity, could take that. I’ve been extremely lucky, I always say it. Luck is massive in this game, you need a bit of it and hopefully get the chance.”
Miley is already looking forward to building on an encouraging first season on the south coast and forging a long career.
“I want to learn every day and keep pushing on,” he says. “Eastleigh have given me the opportunity to do that. I’ve signed a new deal which I’m over the moon with.
“I can’t wait for next year – hopefully I can push on and be more consistent. No matter what level it is, to play full-time football as your job is a privilege.”
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