Micky Mellon

Michael Joseph Mellon (born 18 March 1972) is a Scottish former professional footballer and current manager of Scottish Premiership club Dundee United. As a player, he was a midfielder for clubs including Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion, Blackpool, Tranmere Rovers and Burnley.

Micky Mellon
Mellon with Shrewsbury Town in 2015
Personal information
Full name Michael Joseph Mellon[1]
Date of birth (1972-03-18) 18 March 1972[1]
Place of birth Paisley, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Dundee United (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1993 Bristol City 35 (1)
1991–1992 → Cork City (loan) 11 (3)
1993–1994 West Bromwich Albion 45 (6)
1994–1997 Blackpool 125 (14)
1997–1999 Tranmere Rovers 57 (3)
1999–2001 Burnley 85 (5)
2001 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 1 (0)
2001–2004 Tranmere Rovers 115 (3)
2004–2005 Kidderminster Harriers 7 (0)
2005 Witton Albion 7 (0)
2005–2006 Lancaster City 2 (0)
Total 490 (35)
Teams managed
2008–2012 Fleetwood Town
2013 Barnsley (caretaker)
2014–2016 Shrewsbury Town
2016–2020 Tranmere Rovers
2020– Dundee United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Mellon began his managerial career with Fleetwood Town, where he took the club into the Football League for the first time in their history by winning the 2011–12 Football Conference title. He has overseen five promotions in total as a manager with Fleetwood, Shrewsbury Town and Tranmere.

Early life

Micky Mellon was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire. His family moved to Glasgow when he was nine months old, and he grew up in the South Nitshill area.[2]

Playing career

Mellon began his career in 1989 as a 17-year-old with Bristol City gaining promotion to the old Second Division, then managed by Joe Jordan. In 1991, he was loaned out for two months to League of Ireland club Cork City, making his League of Ireland debut on 20 October 1991. He made eleven league appearances for Cork, scoring three goals.

He spent four years at Ashton Gate, before joining Midlanders West Bromwich Albion in 1993 for a fee of £75,000. He played 45 league games for West Brom, scoring six goals in their promotion season ending in a play off victory over Port Vale at Wembley . It was his move to Blackpool for a fee of £50,000 in 1994, however, that saw Mellon establish himself as a regular on the team and scoresheet. Under Sam Allardyce's guidance, Mellon made 138 appearances and scored 17 goals in all competitions. He was voted the club's Player of the year in the 1995–96 season as the club just missed out on promotion from Division Two.[3]

The season following Allardyce's sacking in 1997, Mellon moved up a division to join Tranmere Rovers, who were then playing in Division One, for a fee of £300,000. He spent two seasons at Prenton Park, followed by another two with Burnley, whom he joined for £350,000 gaining promotion finishing second to Preston North End. He returned to Tranmere Rovers in March 2001 initially on loan, and then on a free transfer. He was released in May 2004.[4]

Mellon joined Kidderminster Harriers in August 2004, signing a two-year contract.[5]

After leaving Harriers,[5] Mellon spent a short spell at Witton Albion in 2005 before joining Lancaster City.

Management and coaching

Lancaster City and Burnley

Mellon was appointed as assistant manager of Lancaster City in June 2006.[6] However, on 10 October after an FA Cup defeat to Scarborough he left the club along with four players for financial reasons.[7] He moved to his former club Burnley as a youth team coach,[8] coaching the Under-15 and Under-16 teams.

Fleetwood Town

Chairman Andy Pilley appointed the Burnley youth team coach and former Blackpool midfielder Micky Mellon as manager on 23 September, succeeding Tony Greenwood.[9] Mellon initially divided his time between coaching the Under-15 and Under-16 teams at Burnley and managing Fleetwood.[8][10] However, on 12 January 2009, his position was made full-time, a first in the history of the club.[11] Mellon led Fleetwood to a successful FA Cup run, reaching the Second Round for the first time in their history. He introduced a number of new faces to the playing staff, and over the course of the season produced a settled team with increasingly improving league results. Fleetwood finished the season in a creditable eighth place, having been bottom of the league when he was appointed.

From the beginning of the 2009–10 season, Fleetwood were seen as serious promotion contenders. By the end of 2009, Southport and Fleetwood had established themselves as the two strongest teams in the league. A 5–0 defeat to Southport on Boxing Day at Haig Avenue appeared to have tipped the balance Southport's way,[12] but this was followed by a 4–0 Fleetwood victory in the return fixture at Highbury on New Year's Day.[13]

The demise of Farsley Celtic late in the season led their entire 2009–10 playing record being expunged, thereby costing Fleetwood three points relative to Southport.[14] Fleetwood appealed against the decision but the appeal was rejected the day before the last match of the season, leaving Southport one point ahead. A final day 2–0 victory over Stalybridge Celtic proved ultimately inadequate in securing the championship as Southport defeated Eastwood Town 3–0 away from home to win the championship, and the automatic promotion place, by one point. A two-legged playoff semi-final against Droylsden away was decided on penalties, as a 2–0 defeat, countered by a 3–1 victory at Highbury.[15] Goalkeeper Danny Hurst saved the last penalty to put Fleetwood through 4–3. The final was played against Alfreton Town at Highbury on 9 May, in front of a new record capacity crowd of 3,592.

Fleetwood defeated Alfreton 2–1 in Play-off final.[16] The team's second-place finish and ultimate promotion to the Conference, the fifth tier of English football, secured the highest position in the club's history since the 1997 re-establishment.

In season 2010–2011 Fleetwood finished fifth in the Conference National, losing the Play-Off semi final 8–1 on aggregate to Wimbledon.[17][18]

Fleetwood won the 2011–2012 Conference National attaining 103 points in the process.[19] Fleetwood progressed to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history; beating Wycombe and Yeovil before finally succumbing 5–1 to neighbours Blackpool in front of a sell-out crowd.[20]

After three defeats in a row including a 2nd Round FA Cup exit to Aldershot Town, Mellon was sacked on 1 December 2012 with Fleetwood in 4th place.[21]

Barnsley

In December 2012 Mellon was asked to assist David Flitcroft who was caretaker manager at Barnsley following the sacking of Keith Hill.[22] In January 2013 Flitcroft was appointed permanent manager with Mellon as his assistant. Mellon helped to keep Barnsley in the Championship by securing a point at Huddersfield on 4 May 2013.[23] On 10 May 2013 he agreed a new deal to stay at Oakwell.[24]

In October 2013 Barnsley turned down two approaches for Mellon from Conference Premier side Forest Green to take over as their Manager. Mellon said "Barnsley had two approaches, but the club turned them down twice because they want to keep me. "So I am happy to stay at Barnsley as long as they want me because the Championship is where I want to be. "(But) I am delighted that there are people who think I can do a job and saw what I achieved at Fleetwood."[25]

On 19 March 2014 Barnsley sacked Micky Mellon. A club statement read: "Barnsley Football Club has (on Wednesday) terminated the employment of assistant manager Micky Mellon and goalkeeping coach Ian Willcock with immediate effect. "The club would like to place on record its thanks to both Micky and Ian for their service and wish them all the best for the future."[26]

Shrewsbury Town

Mellon was appointed as the new manager of Shrewsbury Town on 12 May 2014, with former caretaker manager Michael Jackson and Danny Coyne remaining as his assistants following the club's relegation back to League Two.[27] Inheriting only a handful of players from the previous regime, Mellon made 16 signings over the close season, reuniting with former Fleetwood Town striker Andrew Mangan,[28] and ex-Barnsley players Liam Lawrence[29] and Jordan Clark.[30]

Shrewsbury went unbeaten in their first month of the 2014–15 season, including League Cup upsets over Blackpool[31] and away at Premier League newcomers Leicester City.[32] Despite hitting a difficult run of form in September, they also beat Championship leaders Norwich City to set up a fourth round home tie with Chelsea.[33][34]

Despite exiting the 2014–15 FA Cup in the second round, a narrow 1–0 away defeat at Preston North End,[35] Shrewsbury enjoyed a highly consistent season in the league, culminating in winning promotion back to the third tier of English football at the first attempt, following a 1–0 away victory at Cheltenham Town on 25 April 2015.[36]

The following season, Mellon led Shrewsbury to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1991,[37] notably knocking out Championship opponents Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday in the third and fourth rounds respectively.[38][39] The fifth round saw Shrewsbury draw Manchester United at home for the first ever competitive fixture between the two clubs which subsequently ended Shrewsbury's FA cup run after a 3–0 defeat.[40] Shrewsbury spent much of the league season battling relegation. Despite losing 3–4 at home to Peterborough United in the penultimate game of the season, same day defeats for Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool ensured another season of League One football, with one game to spare.[41]

Tranmere Rovers

Micky Mellon left Shrewsbury Town on 6 October 2016, after winning only two of the opening eleven games of the 2016–17 season, and was appointed manager of Tranmere Rovers in the National League.[42] On 12 May 2018 Mellon led Tranmere back into the English Football League with victory over Boreham Wood in the National League play-off final.[43] On 25 May 2019, Tranmere made it back-to-back promotions, winning the League Two playoff at Wembley, 1–0, over Newport County, thus securing their spot in League One for the 2019–20 season.[44]

By March 2020, the team were within the relegation zone, but with a game in hand on their nearest rivals and on a run of three successive victories. The cancellation of fixtures due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the season could not be completed, and a vote was taken by League One clubs on 9 June to resolve promotion and relegation issues on a points per game (PPG) basis. This meant that Tranmere would be relegated to League Two for the 2020/21 season.[45]

Dundee United

Mellon was appointed as manager of Scottish Premiership club Dundee United on 6 July 2020.[46] It is his first time working in his homeland as either a player or a manager.

Managerial statistics
As of match played 6 February 2021[47]
Team From To Record
GWDLWin %
Fleetwood Town 27 September 2008 1 December 2012 225 116 58 51 051.56
Barnsley (caretaker) 30 November 2013 17 December 2013 3 1 1 1 033.33
Shrewsbury Town 12 May 2014 6 October 2016 125 53 25 47 042.40
Tranmere Rovers 6 October 2016 6 July 2020 199 92 45 62 046.23
Dundee United 6 July 2020 Present 32 9 11 12 028.13
Total 582 269 140 173 046.22

Personal life

Mellon has lived in Blackpool since 1994.[10] He is married to Jane.[48]

Mellon opened the very first franchised energie Shokk gym aimed at teenagers with his wife in Blackpool in February 2009.[49][50] The gym later went out of business in October 2009.[48]

Honours

Manager
Fleetwood Town
Shrewsbury Town
Tranmere Rovers

References
  1. "Micky Mellon". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  2. McDermott, Scott (12 July 2020). "Mickey Mellon vows not to wield Dundee United wrecking ball". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  3. "Vote or the 2002–2003 Player of the Year". Blackpool F.C. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 1 September 2008.
  4. "Tranmere release quintet". BBC Sport. 7 May 2004. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  5. "Mellon set to leave Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 7 December 2004. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  6. "New look for City's new era". Lancaster Guardian. 29 June 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  7. "Mass exodus as Giant Axe falls on Dolly Blues". Lancaster Guardian. 11 October 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  8. "Mellon becomes Fleetwood manager". BBC Sport. 24 September 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  9. "Fleetwood sack manager Greenwood". BBC Sport. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  10. "Mellon can't wait for Fleetwood challenge". Blackpool Gazette. 24 September 2008. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  11. "Micky Mellon goes full-time". Fleetwood Weekly News. 8 January 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  12. "Southport 5–0 Fleetwood". Qlocal Southport. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  13. "Fleetwood 4–0 Southport". Southport Visiter. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  14. "Farsley Celtic removed from Blue Square North". BBC Sport. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  15. "Droylsden 1–3 Fleetwood". Manchester Evening News. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  16. "Fleetwood 2–1 Alfreton". BBC Sport. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  17. "Fleetwood 0–2 Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  18. "Wimbledon 6–1 Fleetwood". BBC Sport. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  19. "Fleetwood Town reach Football League for first time". BBC Sport. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  20. "Fleetwood 1–5 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  21. "Fleetwood Town sack manager Micky Mellon". BBC Sport. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  22. "Keith Hill: Barnsley sack manager after defeat by Blackburn". BBC Sport. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  23. "Huddersfield 2–2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  24. "David Flitcroft extends contract as manager". BBC Sport. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  25. "Barnsley turn down two Forest Green approaches for Micky Mellon". Stroud News. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  26. "Barnsley sack assistant manager Micky Mellon and coach Ian Willcock". Sky Sports. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  27. "Shrewsbury Town: Micky Mellon is appointed as new manager". BBC Sport. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  28. "Andy Mangan: Shrewsbury Town sign Forest Green striker". BBC Sport. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  29. "Liam Lawrence: Shrewsbury Town sign ex-Barnsley and Stoke winger". BBC Sport. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  30. "Shrewsbury Town: Andy Robinson & Jordan Clark 'exciting' – Mellon". BBC Sport. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  31. "Shrewsbury Town 1–0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  32. "Leicester City 0–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  33. "Shrewsbury Town 1–0 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  34. "League Cup draw: Shrewsbury face Chelsea, Liverpool v Swansea". BBC Sport. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  35. "Preston North End 1–0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  36. "Cheltenham Town 0–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  37. "Soup and butties fuel Shrewsbury's FA Cup drive against Manchester United". The Observer. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  38. "Cardiff City 0–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  39. "Shrewsbury Town 3–2 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  40. "Manchester United to play Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup fifth round". Manchester Evening News. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  41. "Football League: Five things you may have missed". BBC Sport. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  42. "Micky Mellon: Shrewsbury Town manager to join Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  43. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44029571
  44. League Two Playoff Final: Newport 0, Tranmere 1, BBC Sport, 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019
  45. Josh Fordham, "Tranmere owner Mark Palios ‘white hot with anger’ as League One season ends in relegation, questions why Charlton can fight for survival but they can’t", TalkSport, 10 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020
  46. "Dundee United: Micky Mellon appointed as manager", BBC News, 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020
  47. "Micky Mellon". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  48. "Disgust at closure of kid's gym". www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk.
  49. "Shokk opening of Jane's gym". www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk.
  50. "Sports Management – energie Group: First énergie SHOKK franchise sold". www.sportsmanagement.co.uk.
  51. "'Micky Mellon must take credit for Shrewsbury promotion". BBC Sport. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
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