A PASSION for football runs through Chris Miller’s blood and luckily for him he has a very understanding wife.

Only 18 months after they emigrated to Australia, Mr Miller is returning to England just to watch a single match.

He has spent more than £1,000 on a round trip of more than 20,000 miles to watch his beloved York City try to secure their return to the Football League.

On Sunday, he will be a very happy – if exhausted – spectator at Wembley as they take on Oxford United in the Blue Square Premier play-off final.

But his wife, Gemma, will still be at their new home in Brisbane, Australia, patiently waiting for her other half to return.

Mr Miller said: “I have a very understanding wife who married two things – myself and my passion for York City.

“She hates football, but always pretends she is interested.

She is not coming because of work commitments, and the fact she hates football, so this 60-hour journey is going to be very lonely.”

Mr Miller, 28, was taken to see his first York City game by his father when he was two.

His grandfather, Jack Miller, was the club’s first commercial manager, while his brother-in-law, Ross Potter, is City’s general manager.

His sister, Mandy Causer, also works for the club.

Four City players – Jimmy Sangare, Chris Caruthers, Luke Graham and Courtney Pitt – also rent rooms from his father.

As he packed his bags ready for the long journey, Mr Miller said he was extremely excited at the prospect of seeing York play at Wembley.

But, like the true football fan he is, he added: “I am also gutted I have missed out on one of the best seasons we have had since 1993, when we went to Wembley to play Crewe.

“I used to go to most away games and all home games and seen some terrible seasons, so this is such a refreshing change.”