Football Victoria is saddened to learn of the passing of state team representative and Preston Lions great George McMillan.
Born in Scotland in 1952, George McMillan arrived in Perth in 1974, and quickly made his mark as a prolific striker for Perth Azzurri, winning the First Division’s Golden Boot in 1975 and 1976. He represented Western Australia on 19 occasions over a three-year period, scoring in a famous win over Glasgow Rangers and helping WA to back-to-back Marah Halim Cups in Indonesia.
His goalscoring form was noticed across the Nullarbor and a mid-season loan move to Essendon Lions in 1977 saw no end to his exploits, as he netted six times in 14 appearances for the newly promoted club. Sensing an opportunity to secure an accomplished striker soon to enter his prime, Preston Makedonia signed McMillan from Azzurri the following season for $5,000.
In McMillan’s first three seasons with Preston, he scored 39 goals in 64 appearances in the Victorian State League, better than a goal every two games, reaffirming his reputation as a deadly finisher. He was instrumental in the club’s first top-flight Championship in 1980, earning them promotion to the National Soccer League the following year.
In five NSL seasons, McMillan became a pillar in defence, an ever-present in 124 league matches culminating in appearances in the 1985 NSL Cup and Dockerty Cup finals.
McMillan’s one and only cap for Victoria came during this period, appearing as a 72nd minute substitute for George Cross’ Ken Reed as Victoria stunned Dundee 2-1 in May 1978.
Preston Lions’ club president David Cvetkovski, who announced the news of McMillan’s passing on The Lions Den podcast, recalls first-hand the impact he had on the club during his NSL years, “everyone will remember his efforts as a central defender, (he) would never lose a ball in the air, (he was) a defensive machine.”
He returned to the Victorian State League with Thomastown in 1986, firstly as player-coach, before he was relieved of his coaching duties by Mike Lynn in July of the same year. However, he continued as a player at Partridge Reserve until the age of 36, making 81 appearances in total. Lynn’s sentiments reflect that of the Victorian football community at large, “I replaced George as coach and he stayed on as player captain. There was no ego or interference and as always, he gave 100% in training and games. I had nothing but the utmost respect for George as a player and a person."
In all, George McMillan played over 400 matches at league, cup and representative level in Western Australia and Victoria over a period of fifteen years.
George McMillan passed away earlier this week, aged 70.
The FV Board of Directors, Executive and staff send our sincere condolences to the McMillan family.