Sporting Legend Episode: Paul Miller

This is a very special edition of my Clarendon Chronicles Podcast – one of my “Sporting Legend” Episodes.

My Guest on this Podcast is Paul Miller, a Tottenham Hotspur FC footballing legend.

Having been brought up in East London, Paul joined Spurs as a schoolboy, signing as an apprentice in 1976, and progressing to professional terms a year later. Making his debut in 1979 against local rivals Arsenal, Paul went on to play over 280 first eleven games for Tottenham as a tough tackling centre back.

Paul won the FA Cup twice, in 1981, and 1982, both after replays, and also went on to lift the 1984 UEFA Cup, scoring the crucial away goal in the first leg away at Anderlecht as you see in the intro, before winning the tie on penalties back at White Hart Lane.

Paul was inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame in 2015, recognising his enormous contribution to that trophy winning team of the 80s, which included, in his words, ‘world class players’ such as Glenn Hoddle, Ray Clemence and World Cup-winning Ossie Ardiles, but also other amazing Tottenham legends such as Alan Brazil, Ricky Villa, Graham Roberts, Chris Hughton, Mark Falco, Gary Mabbutt plus many others, with the team being Captained throughout by skipper Steve Perryman.

Following successful stints to close his playing career at Charlton, Watford, Bournemouth, Brentford & Swansea, after playing Paul entered the financial world by forging a new and thriving career in the Investment Banking sector in the City of London.

Paul and I have managed to become acquainted with each other by our shared passion for Sport, and in fact I actually saw Paul play twice in action whilst being a boyhood season ticket holder at Bolton Wanderers, with Paul making the line up for Spurs in both May 1979 and in March 1980 in what at that time was a short 2 year stay in the top division for Bolton.

Paul very generously joined my Podcast to share some thoughts about what underpins Leadership & Team Building, recognising that over 40 years later, Paul is still very close indeed to his Cup-winning teammates from the 80s.

In addition, Paul reflected on some of skills, characteristics and experiences that are equally valuable in, and transferable to, the world of Corporate and Finance as they are in the arena of elite Sport.

This is a fantastic listen, and for ANYONE interested in Football, do invest 60 minutes of your time hearing what it was really like being a Footballer for Tottenham and winning Trophies.