Charlie Miller

The history of Brazilian football began in 1894, when in his native Sao Paulo returned 20-year-old Charles Miller, who spent ten years in England. Over the years spent on foggy Albion he certainly became a fan of football. And therefore, to discover that in his homeland, this game is absolutely unknown was surprised and immediately "rolled up his sleeves."

10 years later in a letter to friends in England, he wrote "You'll be surprised to learn how popular now enjoys football. Only in one of Sao Paulo is not less than 50-60 clubs, . and comes to the games by 2-3 thousand people, . each village has its own team ... "When in 1953 the well-known businessman and philanthropist Charles Miller died - all of Brazil called him" the father of Brazilian football. ",

. Born in Brazil in the family of British subjects who returned after studying in England, began working in the railway company, Sao Paulo
. There, and founded the first football team, becoming a captain. In December 1901 organized the first championship in Brazil - Campeonato Paulista de Football. He was captain of the team - the champion of the first season of 1901/02 years and with ten balls was the best scorer.

It was not the first of its achievements on the football field. In Banister Korte (his school in England) was the strongest team in the district. The newspapers wrote about the left insajde: "our best striker ... excellent dribler ... outstanding scores goals ... made a breakthrough in polpolya ended a powerful blow ". By the way in England, he spent a few games for the professional club Southampton at St Mary's, "now simply" Southampton ".

. The newspaper The Village Voice "Sao Paulo in 1990 conducted a study which revealed that the heel of the gate used to be called" Charlie "in honor of Miller, and then transformed into the Portuguese" shaleyra "as called to this day.

. Apparently the fact that Miller not only helped the Brazilians to play football, but his talent influenced the development of this game - not a mere coincidence.

. Later in life, Miller has lived in Sao Paulo, where he married pianist Helene Raj
. During several years he worked as vice-consul at the British Embassy. Unfortunately, he died five years before Brazil won the World Cup. But his name was not forgotten, and after the triumph in Sweden, his fame is not less than those who won this victory.