Guia ING

Crib of Stars
The State of São Paulo was the birthplace of great soccer stars who represent the
country around the world today. Next, some of them will tell a little of their story and talk
about where and how they used to spend their vacation in their childhood.
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Photo and text courtesy of Soccer Museum
CHARLES WILLIAM MILLER
* São Paulo (State of São Paulo),
November 24, 1874 – June 30, 1953
Charles William Miller was born on Monsenhor
Andrade, Brás neighborhood. He was son of an English
immigrant, John Miller, and Carlota Alexandrina, a
Brazilian, daughter of English people. At 10, Charles
traveled to England, sent by his parents to continue his
education at Banister Court School, located in the city
of Southampton.There he got to know soccer, and soon
the new student made himself noteworthy because of his skills, playing for two clubs, St.
Mary’s (future Southampton) and Corinthians FootballClub (which has inspired, later on, the
foundation of Corinthians Paulista). For playing so fast, Charles got the nickname “Nipper” – a
slang meaning fast, quick young boy.
He came back in 1894, arriving at the Port of Santos. He brought from England a book
of soccer rules, two soccer balls, an air pump to fill them up, a pair of soccer shoes and two
jerseys he had defended. He took part in the first soccer game in the country’s history, playing
for São Paulo Railway, which beat Gaz Team by 4-2 on April 14, 1895, at Várzea do Carmo. For
that reason, he is known as the father of soccer in Brazil.
Associated to SPAC (São Paulo Athletic Club), Charles Miller played between 1896 and
1912. Afterwards, he continued in sports as a referee – besides performing in other modalities,
such as cricket. Among other tributes paid to him, he baptizes the square where Paulo
Machado de Carvalho stadium is, popularly known as Pacaembu, name of the neighborhood
that is home to the stadium. And at Pacaembu Stadium, where the Soccer Museum is, Charles
is again paid tribute in Room of the Origins and Room of the Number and Curiosities.