The Newcastle United 'best mates' – and their special bond
Jamie and Lewis Miley are making names for themselves at Newcastle United – but there are two more brothers, one at Sunderland, in the academy system.
Footballing talent runs deep in one County Durham family.
We all know about Lewis Miley, who starred for Newcastle United at home and abroad in midfield last season after being given an unexpected first-team call-up by Eddie Howe.
Stanley-born Miley is sidelined with a foot injury suffered earlier this summer, but one family member still caught the eye in Japan last week.
Jamie Miley, also a midfielder, set up a goal in the club’s 4-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama seconds after coming off the bench.
And there’s more.
Two younger siblings – Mason and Layton – are also coming up through the ranks at Newcastle and Sunderland respectively.
Jamie is keen to follow in Lewis’ footsteps and make his mark alongside his brother at first-team level.
Asked about playing alongside his brother at Premier League level, the 20-year-old said: “Definitely. Hopefully one day, but obviously everything’s different, and things happen at different times.”
Injury update
Lewis – who signed a new long-term contract in January after establishing himself as a first-team player – suffered a metatarsal injury while running with his brother.
“I was running near him, and I saw him, and was like ‘oh my god, what’s happened?’,” said Jamie, who is likely to be involved in the Sela Weekender friendlies against Girona and Stade Brestois.
“I didn’t expect it to be as bad as it was, but it’s one of those things. You’ve just got to pick each other up.
“He’s getting there, getting over it, but it’s just one of those things in football, and we give each other the support we need.”
Jamie knew Lewis’ ability and potential better than anyone, yet the speed and ease of his adaptation to Premier League football even “surprised” him.
“I knew he was very, very good,” said Jamie, who had a spell out with a knee injury last season.
“But I think it took us all by surprise just how well he adapted to all of it, because he’d just come back from a bad illness where he was out for quite a while. He’s adapted straight away.”
Brothers in arms
The pair, “best mates” as well as brothers, support each other on their footballing journeys.
“We’re brothers, but we’re best mates as well, so we’re there to give each other support and tell each other when you need a little kick up the backside,” said Jamie.
“Everything happens at different times in football. We’re there to support each other, and in the bad times, we pick each other up – and keep going with it.”
Jamie is hoping for more opportunities after putting a frustrating season behind him.
“Obviously, I was in America last year, but I was unfortunate to get the knee injury,” he said. “I’m hoping to stay fit, and I’ve been playing centre-midfield like I have most of my career, but obviously dropping in at right-back as well, (which) I’m quite enjoying.
“Wherever the manager wants to play me, I’ll play there.”
United head coach Eddie Howe isn’t afraid to give youth a chance, as underlined by the unexpected opportunity he handed to Lewis.
“You’ve got to earn that trust from him, and when you do, you’ve got to perform,” said Jamie. “As long as you keep doing that, and showing the manager that he can trust you, then hopefully you can go in the right direction.”
Loan option
A loan is a possibility this season, as Jamie is desperate for more first-team football.
Asked what the plan was for the coming season, he said: “I don’t know at the minute, to be honest. We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks, and whether I can maybe go out on loan, but I’m not sure yet.
“Hopefully, the bigger idea is to stay here long-term, and do what my brother did. That’s the picture, but we’ll see what happens.
“I just want to play as many minutes as I can on a regular first-team basis, so hopefully I can do that this season.”
As for the talent in the family, Jamie said: “I’ve got Mason with the Under-16s, and Layton at Sunderland as well.
“I don’t know where (the football talent comes from), but it’s great!”