FOOTBALLER, teacher and Military Medal recipient Sidney Miles, known as ‘Sid’, died on Friday, January 31, aged 79.

Born and brought up in Bournemouth, Mr Miles returned to the town after serving in the army during the Malayan Emergency, and he played for Bournemouth and Boscombe AFC for three years.

Born on May 16, 1934, to William and Elsie Miles, Mr Miles attended St Luke’s and Portchester schools. He and siblings Joyce, Noreen and Ron were brought up in Green Road, Winton.

He joined the army aged 18 and in 1952 was sent out to Malaya with the Royal Army Service Corps 55 Air Despatch Company, a posting he considered as an opportunity to see the world.

He flew some 325 operational sorties as a crew commander dropping supplies from Valetta aircraft to jungle patrols below, and lost many friends to enemy fire.

In 1956, after Corporal Miles had left the army, he received the Military Medal for bravery from the Queen.

The citation noted an incident in March 1954 in which his aircraft got into difficulties, and said: “The courage and bearing of this NCO and his cheerful disregard to the dangerous situation was a most steadying influence on his crew, and was a major factor in the subsequent recovery of the aircraft.”

While in Malaya, Mr Miles, also a keen cricketer and tennis player, represented his detachment, the RASC and the combined services at football.

On his return to Bournemouth in 1955 he joined Bournemouth & Boscombe AFC for 3 years under managers Jack Burton, Freddie Cox and Don Walsh.

In 1958 he was signed for Peterborough United, and two years later he switched to play semi-professional football with Salisbury City FC.

Keen to pass on his skills to young footballers, much as he had inspired others during his military service, Mr Miles dedicated his time to building up Winton and Bournemouth FC and Winton AFC, and spent several years as trainer, coach and eventually manager of Poole Town FC. He also coached sport at Hailey School in Westbourne and Homefield School near Christchurch, teaching at the latter for nearly 23 years.

As well as teaching, Mr Miles organised trips for the youngsters, including skiing holidays, football tours and visits to Disney World in Florida.

He retired in 1996 and soon moved into Eventide Homes in Castle Lane. There he set to work organising events and filling in as bingo caller, quiz master or anything else required.

On December 30 he was treated for a stroke at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where he praised the care he received, but his health deteriorated over the following weeks.

Janet Edgecombe, chairman of trustees at Eventide, paid tribute to him as “irreplaceable” and “a completely unassuming gentleman”.

Mr Miles leaves his sisters and his beloved nieces and nephew – Jean, Val and Jimmy. His funeral will take place at Bournemouth Crematorium on Friday, February 14, at 3pm.