The Charlie Miller Final – 1992

With Rangers scheduled to take on Manchester United today in the Super Cup NI Junior Section Final at Ballymena Showgrounds,  I thought it would be interesting to look back at the 1992 final. It has become known as the “Charlie Miller Final”, with Charlie scoring both goals in Rangers 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Brief highlights of Charlie’s goals are shown in a video at the link below

The Charlie Millar Final – 1992

So what happened to the starting XI’s of both teams.

Charlie Miller

Starting with the main man himself, and despite winning four league medals and a league cup medal Charlie’s career is still looked upon by many as a what might have been. He was only 23 when he left Rangers for Watford in 1999, and then played a significant number of games for Dundee United before spells in Norway, Belgium and Australia, finishing up with a handful of games for Clyde.

Its a damning stat to find that Charlie only played one game for Scotland, against Poland in 2001 in a 1-1 draw.

Andrew Caldwell

Northern Irish goalkeeper Andrew was at Rangers for a couple of seasons but never really established himself as first choice at youth level. He was understudy to Neil Inglis then Michael Rae in his time at the club.

Neil Caldwell

Full-Back Neil made one top team appearance, in the final league game of the 1994/95 season against Partick Thistle at Ibrox. He moved to Dundee United at the start of the following season where he made five appearances. His one goal for the Tannadice side came in a 4-0 League Cup win against Cowdenbeath. On leaving Dundee United he spent some time in Junior football.

Scott Wilson

An academy success Scott made seventy five first team appearances for the club scoring one goal in a game against Dundee United. After a loan spell at Portsmouth he joined Dunfermline Athletic where he became a mainstay, totting up well over 200 appearances.

Scott McCulloch

Scott never made a first team appearance for Rangers but went on to have an extensive career making over 300 appearances for ten clubs. The highlight being a six figure move from Dundee United to Cardiff City in September 2000.

Robert Skillen

Another recruit from Northern Ireland midfielder Robert was highly rated but soon moved back across the Irish Sea homesick. It would appear he didn’t continue his football career.

Kevin Fotheringham

Kevin hit the headlines at Rangers when he scored four goals in the 5-3 win over Airdrie in the 1994 Youth Cup Final. A first team break through never came but a career total of well over 300 games for a variety of clubs followed. He is still involved in football as manager of East of Scotland Premier League side Dundonald Bluebell.

Iain Nicolson

Never made a breakthrough at Ibrox but played over 250 senior games at Partick Thistle, St.Mirren, Ayr United and Alloa Athletic. He then dropped in the Juniors playing for Bathgate Thistle and Renfrew. Iain suffered a stroke in April 2015 but returned to the pitch eight months later in a friendly for Renfrew FC against Cumnock.

Roddy Kerr

Roddy was at Rangers with his brother Ross, I think they were twins but neither progressed after leaving Rangers. Although East Stirling and Stirling Albion come to mind both left senior football early.

Donnie Chisholm

Never progressed at Rangers but if memory serves me right I think Bishopbriggs boy Donnie played junior locally maybe with Petershill or Rossvale.

J Kirovski

I don’t remember a player of that name playing for any Rangers side so I am speculating a bit here. If anyone knows for sure please let me know.

The age, position and uncommon name all fit, so could it have been Jovan Kirovski ?

Signed for Man Utd as a youth player that summer, went on to play for Broussia Dortmund where he scored in the Champions League and was part of the Champions League Winning squad. Played 60+ times for USA and is currently Technical Director with LA Galaxy.

Could be an entirely different J. Kirovski of course.

It was a bit of a challenge trying to trace the Notts Forest players but here goes.

Mark Statham

Keeper Mark never made the first team but did make one appearance for Wigan Athletic. It appears he also had a few seasons at Stalybridge Celtic.

John Finnigan

Had an extended career in the Football League mainly with Cheltenham Town and Lincoln City. Never quite made the breakthrough at Forest.

Justin Walker

Another who had a 400+ career in The Football League, the longest spell with Scunthorpe United. He is currently a coach with Derby County.

Danny Hinshelwood

Defender Danny made a handful of appearances for Portsmouth, Torquay and Brighton after failing to make the Forest first team. Apparently one of his duties as an apprentice at Forest was to walk Brian Clough’s dog !!

Steve Guinan

It would appear that Steve was the only player from the group that made Forest’s first team. He appeared a total of seven times including four in the EPL. In his time at Forest he was loaned out on seven occasions, varying from Greensboro Dynamo to Burnley. On leaving the club he reached close to 500 senior appearances with his main stays being at Hereford United and Cheltenham Town.

I was unable to find any information on R. Smith, M. Whalley, L. Hughes, C. Rookyard, N Drury and P. Haywood