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Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Micky Mellon getting Oldham 'monster' back on it's feet as ninth promotion still owes thanks to Joe Jordan lessons
The former Dundee Utd boss made it a family affair at Wembley nearly three decades on from wide eye train journey to Bristol It's a little square of north London normally reserved for aristocracy, global heads of state and worldwide celebrities to enjoy the fruits of their labour. For a few hours last Sunday the Royal Box at Wembley was packed with Mellons. Of the Scottish variety. Micky Mellon did that. The VIPs in his life - mum Margaret, wife Jane, sister Lisa, his kids Jordan, Jacob, Evie and Michael, even his Uncle Martin and cousin Junior - were all down from Scotland and in the posh seats at the home of English football. There to get the best view in the house of Mellon securing a NINTH promotion in a career spent for all but one year south of the border. The 53-year-old has guided Oldham Athletic back into the EFL thanks to that dramatic 3-2 play-off final victory over Southend United. He'd have loved for his late dad Michael to have joined the celebrations. But he knows he'd have been watching down as another season ended on a high. This is nothing new to Mellon. Far from it. He's now steered every club he's managed to promotion at least once, other than Dundee United who were already in the top flight for his one year at Tannadice. He cut his managerial teeth guiding Fleetwood Town into the big time off the back of two promotions from the Conference North and Conference Premier in 2010 and 2012. Three years later he took Shrewsbury Town into League One via automatic promotion. He led Tranmere from the Conference Premier to League One following back-to-back promotions in 2018 and 2019- both via Wembley play off finals. It's becoming a bit of a habit. And a good one at that. As a player he won three promotions too, with Bristol City, West Brom and Burnley. And yes, the second of those was secured thanks to the play-offs. There's been a couple of blows, relegation with Tranmere and the sack from Prenton Park two years ago before he took over Oldham. But the highs have far outweighed the lows. No wonder the 'wee boy from Glasgow', as he puts it, felt like he was on cloud nine as he took time out from partying at Boundary Park and a civic reception with the mayor to reflect on it all with Mail Sport this week. He said: 'Nine promotions. I'm blessed. To come to England and achieve that, nobody can take it away from me. I'm really proud. 'The effort required, they're all tough, they're all really special. But the play-off final is the best way to go up. There were 53,000 at Wembley. 'My mum and my sister were down from Scotland and in the Royal Box. 'For a wee boy from Glasgow to put his mum and his sister, his wife and his kids, into the Royal Box at Wembley and win.. surely is what we all dream of? 'Mum went back to Elderslie happy and proud. That's the best feeling of all. "But I'm not done yet. I still have a real love for football. I want to help young players improve and get the moments like they got at the weekend. 'To see young people put that effort in and get moments in their life that they'll never forget - it's an unbelievable satisfaction. 'As my old dad used to say, 'Michael, football was good to you. You've got to put what you've learned back in'. I try and stick to that approach. Dad was a huge influence on me. A good man, good west of Scotland standards. 'I still have a lot of those morals and values that I use now. Things that I instil in my own kids.' It's been some journey for Mellon since Michael snr put him on a train from Glasgow to Bristol as a wide-eyed 16-year-old back in 1989. Thankfully he had a legend off the Scottish game waiting for him at the other end. Nine hours later. Joe Jordan was his first boss at Bristol City. And the best role model any young Scot could wish for. Within 12 months the first of those nine promotions was already in the bag at just 17 years old. Mellon said: 'I got put on a train at Glasgow Central at 16. 'I remember asking dad, 'when do I get off?' He said 'when it can't go any further, it's Bristol, it's the last stop'. 'It was the Sunday service, it went across to Newcastle, it took about nine hours. But I'll never forget waiting for me on the platform at Bristol Temple Meads was Joe Jordan and his assistant Jimmy Lumsden. 'He drove me and another Scottish boy that went down, Ronnie McQuilter, to the digs. What a real human touch. He knew two Glaswegian boys were coming to Bristol so he met us at the station. 'I would probably have never gone if it wasn't for him, he's a legend. I don't know if I would allow my 16-year-old boy to go on the train on his own now! 'But mum and dad knew that I was going down into good hands. I had a great time. I got into the team at 17 and we won the old Division 3 and got to what is now called the Championship. 'Joe was amazing, the way he ran the football club was way ahead, very disciplined, organised and professional. 'He led by example and actually still played in a few games despite being 38. 'I'm always proud to tell people I played for Joe Jordan. An unbelievable mentality, I learnt so much from him, he was a brilliant manager. An absolute gentleman too. I learned a lot about how you should treat young players and people.' Not just young players, either. Cameras caught Mellon giving his winner's medal away to an older gentleman as Oldham celebrated with 23,000 fans at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. He said: 'Frank Rothwell, the owner. He's a football manager's dream. He does so much for the club, for the local community and charity and things. 'Oldham is a monster of a club with brilliant owners and is climbing back to its feet again. 'I just felt that Frank deserved a medal, so I gave him mine. Hopefully it's not going to be my last.' Meanwhile, Mellon insists he'd never shut the door on another chance to manage in Scotland - despite his stint at Dundee United finishing abruptly. One season at Tannadice in 2020-21 remains the Glaswegian's only spell in Scottish football. He secured United's Premiership status in their first year back in the top flight - finishing ninth and just a point behind fifth. It came to an end after his relationship with sporting director Tony Asghar became strained. A mutual parting of the ways followed. But the Oldham boss said: 'I'd love to have the opportunity to go back to Scottish football again if it was all right. 'I love Scotland and I love Scottish football. So I would never shut that door. But I'm at a big monster of a football club at the minute and enjoying it. 'But I've no regrets about Dundee United, I loved it. 'We didn't have a lot of Premiership experience, we had a lot of talented players. 'But the boys did terrifically well. We just missed out on being in the top six, got to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Hibs and we managed to get a whole raft of young players into the team and sell a couple for big money. 'It just came to a natural end. We sat down after the season and it would be fair to say that the relationships weren't great. 'Two guys with respect for each other made a man's decision that they weren't going to be able to move forward together. 'It was the right decision to mutually accept it was better that we parted ways.' Critics had taken aim a lack of opportunities for young players despite Kerr Smith, Archie Meekison and Darren Watson all making their top level debuts under Mellon that season. Mellon said: 'I'm not going to get too much into it, it was just relationships weren't in the right place in order to keep Dundee United moving forward. 'We'll probably both have regrets about the way our relationship went. We had a lot of respect for each other and accepted it probably wasn't going to go any further. 'Maybe if things had been different and I got that second year then things would have been very good. I'd have enjoyed it. But I was delighted with what we managed to achieve. 'The only thing I was disappointed about at Dundee United was I never got to do it in front of the fans. 'It was the covid season. I'm the only manager in Dundee United's history who never met the fans! 'But we're currently trying to organise a friendly at Tannadice this summer - that would be nice to take Oldham there.'
South Wales Argus
16-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County offer pro contracts to five academy prospects
Forward Alexander-Walker, midfielders Corey Evans and Riley Lonergan, wide player Morgan Evans and versatile defender Sam Watkins have all earned deals after impressing for the club's under-18s. The Exiles state that contracts with the promising quintet 'strengthens the club's ongoing commitment to developing homegrown talent and building a strong pathway from the academy to the first team'. Alexander-Walker, who came on against Tranmere in the final game of the campaign, has been offered a one-year deal along with Corey Evans and Lonergan, who have both previously been unused substitutes for the senior team. Morgan Evans and Watkins have been offered six-month deals. DEAL: County midfielder Corey Evans has earned a one-year professional contract (Image: Huw Evans Agency) Academy manager, Luke Hussey said: 'We're incredibly proud to see Corey, Mo and Riley who have all been involved in first team squads offered professional contracts at the end of their scholarships, and to see Sam and Morgan rewarded with six-month deals. 'These offers are a reflection of the hard work and dedication shown by the players, and a testament to the belief the club has in our academy system. 'It's another clear sign that there is a genuine pathway at Newport County AFC for those who are willing to work hard for it.' Several academy youngsters have regularly trained with the first team while the Under-18s reached the semi-finals of the FAW Youth Cup. They were without the influential pair of Nelson Sanca and Jac Norris for the latter stages of that competition after the defender and midfielder were sent out on loan for a taste of senior football with Briton Ferry Llansawel in the Cymru Premier. The youngsters are likely to feature in pre-season when County build towards the new League Two season under new boss. Nelson Jardim left after keeping the Exiles in the Football League despite a raft of changes with Manchester United Under-21s coach David Hughes expected to be named as his replacement.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LEAGUE TWO: Rovers appoint former Port Vale boss as their new manager
LEAGUE Two side Tranmere Rovers have appointed Andy Crosby as their new manager. The 52-year-old has taken over on a permanent basis at Prenton Park, following a spell as the club's interim manager over the past two and a half months. Crosby guided Tranmere to six wins and five draws from his 13 games in temporary charge following the departure of Nigel Adkins, guiding them to League Two safety. 🤍 Andy Crosby's Super White Army!#TRFC #SWA — Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) May 14, 2025 Crosby told the Tranmere website: 'To represent this football club – and everything it stands for, including hard work, commitment, and unity – is something I'm extremely proud of. "I'd like to personally thank all the players and staff, both at The Campus and at Prenton Park, for their support during my interim spell. Their dedication and professionalism have played a huge part in getting me to this point. "I'd also like to thank the supporters. Their backing over the past few months has been outstanding, and I'm looking forward to continuing to strengthen that positive relationship.' 📝 Tranmere Rovers are delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Crosby as First Team Manager.#TRFC #SWA — Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) May 14, 2025 Tranmere chairman Mark Palios said: 'Andy achieved everything I asked of him as Interim Manager, turning a team that was struggling for confidence into one which was very difficult to beat and, crucially, securing our place in the EFL. "He led the team to some great results in the final quarter of the season, was bold in his decision making, tactics, and substitutions, and formed a great togetherness in the squad. 'He is well respected by the staff and has a fantastic drive to succeed, which I'm sure will serve us well.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aston Villa's forgotten cup heroes remembered as trophy drought rumbles on
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited March 2025 marked the respective 29th and 31st anniversaries of Aston Villa's 1996 and 1994 Coca Cola Cup winning campaigns. As with prior annual milestones, the images that accompanied their notation largely focussed on familiarly feted Aston Villa heroes. More specifically they tended to be the goal scorers in the showpiece finals – Dean Saunders and Dalian Atkinson from 1994 and Savo Milosevic, Ian Taylor and Dwight Yorke from 1996 - or the captains lifting the trophies, Kevin Richardson first and Andy Townsend two years later. Townsend was one of three players, Paul McGrath and Mark Bosnich were the others, to start in both finals, and all three are engrained with status into the annals of Aston Villa history. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement And yet, none of these players were single handedly responsible for the successful campaigns as a whole, and as with any trophy winning team, squad members around the periphery are required to contribute. As we recall the twin Wembley successes, it is worth taking pause to remember some of the forgotten or neglected faces that impacted on those campaigns and will forever be part of the rich fabric of the club, albeit in smaller and more varied ways. READ MORE: HS2 address game-changing plans for new Birmingham City stadium READ MORE: Tom Fellows shows the Birmingham City problem Knighthead want to correct Neil Cox (right) helps Aston Villa team-mate Shaun Teale shut down Tranmere's John Aldridge in the 1994 semi-final at Villa Park. Utility man Neil Cox had arrived at Villa in February of 1991, a signing that was more typical of Graham Taylor as opposed to then Villa manager Jozef Venglos, Cox having played a single season for Scunthorpe before moving to the Midlands. Cox did not actually play for Villa until Venglos had himself been replaced by Ron Atkinson who for the next seasons clearly valued Cox as a component of his squad but equally never really trusted the defender with a run of games. 1993-94 was the season that Cox established himself to a greater degree making 29 appearances across all competitions, filling across the defence, in midfield and even once in goal as he replaced a red-carded Nigel Spink away at Southampton. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In the Coca Cola Cup campaign Cox started four games, deputising for Earl Barrett against Birmingham City and then on the other side of defence, in place of Steve Staunton away at Arsenal. The Irish left back was injured again for the two-legged semi-final against Tranmere, so Cox started both and along with his colleagues redeemed himself after a dire night at Prenton Park, to steer Villa to Wembley with an iconic comeback in B6. It is symptomatic of Cox's reality in the Villa squad that he was replaced by a (semi) fit again Staunton for the 1994 final, although did come on as substitute to see the victory out. By July of 1994 Cox was gone, becoming Middlesbrough's first million-pound player as part of Bryan Robson's Teesside revolution. That decision by Robson is emblematic of the respect in which Cox was held, and a good reminder of his contributions over the victorious 1994 campaign. Graham Fenton made his Villa debut in February 1994, so when Ron Atkinson named him in the starting XI for the Coca Cola Cup final a month later, it is fair to say it was quite a shock. Atkinson had seen something in Fenton, belying the manager's own reputation as a fan of experience over youth, and felt the young midfielder could offer something quite different to put Manchester United on the back foot. So it proved, as Fenton operated in a quasi No.10 role, in front of Townsend and Richardson but behind Dalian Atkinson, Saunders and Tony Daley. The young but powerful Geordie made a mockery of his lack of experience with a driving display that set the tone for Villa to upset the clear favourites. The appearance at Wembley did not however set the tone for the rest of Fenton's Villa career, with Atkinson only rewarding him with eight more starts before Brian Little offloaded him to Blackburn in 1995. Memories of Fenton in claret and blue may be sparse, but we – and he – will always have that day at Wembley in March 1994. Aston Villa's Graham Fenton is sent sprawling by Manchester United's Steve Bruce in the 1994 League Cup final Honourable mentions to the classy midfielder Garry Parker, who made three appearances in the 1993-94 Coca Cola Cup campaign, before being permanently ousted by Andy Townsend, and Guy Whittingham, with two, who failed to live up to his unbelievable goalscoring records for Portsmouth as a Villa player. Bryan Small, an erstwhile presence at Bodymoor Heath, and often the subject of Big Ron's humour, made a single start. Whilst not forgotten, Gordan Cowans and Nigel Spink, two of the heroes of Rotterdam in 1982 also played in the preliminary stages of the Coca Cola Cup campaign, their dwindling influence a sign of the passing of time but certainly not status. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement By the time 1995-96 swung around Atkinson had departed and Brian Little was well into a huge squad overhaul that whilst far reaching, actually led to a hugely consistent team selection over the season. To put that into context eight of Little's squad played in every game of the Coca Cola campaign, with a ninth playing in seven. Still, some players now largely forgotten in Villa's historical lineage were still able to make an impact. Riccardo Scimeca, son of Italian restaurant owning parents in Leamington, had begun life as a striker, although Little moved him back into defence. Scimeca made his full debut for Villa in the Coca Cola Cup, helping keep a clean sheet (alongside Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Southgate) as Villa beat Stockport. A brief substitute appearance in the fourth round against QPR followed, before a lengthier and more influential twenty minutes in a resolute Villa rearguard that kept the semi final second leg against Arsenal at 0-0 to send Villa to Wembley on the away goal rule. Scimeca would play another three seasons at Villa Park, although would never recapture the glorious denouement of 1996, of which he played an overlooked but invaluable part. Tommy Johnson in action for Aston Villa in the mid 1990s. The final word here goes to Tommy Johnson, who perhaps falls more into the neglected bracket as opposed to the forgotten. Johnson was certainly more than a squad player, but in being an unused substitute in the 1996 final victory against Leeds, the memories of the attacker have faded somewhat. To challenge that narrative, take a moment to recall a hard-fought quarter final victory against Wolves at Villa Park, settled by a solitary Johnson goal. Many a time Johnson came to Villa's rescue, and he always seemed content to be part of the bigger whole. Never was this clearer when gleefully celebrating with goal scorer Ian Taylor after Villa's second goal in the 1996 Final – it was Taylor who had arguably kept Johnson out of the starting XI. (You can watch Tommy Johnson reliving his Villa career in an exclusive interview with our Claret & Blue podcast here). ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Through contributions big or small, sustained or irregular, heroes all in claret and blue. Ivan McDouall is the author of Only The Real Thing: Aston Villa and the Coca Cola Cup 1993-1996. Published by Pitch Publishing, the book relives the glory of Aston Villa's last two major trophy wins. It is available to buy in hardback at Pitch Publishing's website here and via other stockists including Amazon, Waterstones and WH Smith.
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
League Two: How Newport County could line up versus Tranmere
The Exiles finish 2024/25 with a home encounter with Tranmere Rovers and will aim to ensure that the new boss, who will be picked by owner Huw Jenkins in the coming weeks, doesn't start the next campaign on a winless streak. Nelson Jardim had that unfortunate situation at Cheltenham in August when the last-gasp defeat made it nine losses on the spin after Graham Coughlan's eight to finish the previous season. County go into the Tranmere game after limping towards mathematical safety since the professional 3-0 win against Harrogate on March 15. Draws against Bromley, MK Dons and Walsall mean that they haven't quite hit the depths of despair of last season, when Coughlan cut a frustrated and perplexed figure. Injuries and a heavy workload took their toll after a long season that featured the highs of Manchester United in the FA Cup run and the wonderful win against Wrexham at a packed Parade. County might not be on a losing streak but the nature of the defeats to Grimsby, Notts County, Carlisle, Colchester and Fleetwood means that there is plenty to prove. EFFORT: Bobby Kamwa and the rest of the attack will hope to fire in County's last game of the season (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency) Can this squad show more grit, determination, resilience and fight? In truth, one afternoon against Tranmere in a battle to avoid finishing 22nd – which would be County's lowest finish since the Great Escape – will not banish such doubts. Interim head coach Dafydd Williams wants County to show more of their traditional traits but arguably doesn't have the personnel to achieve that. There isn't a snarling holding midfielder on the books while options are limited in defence due to the absence of the suspended Ciaran Brennan and injured James Clarke and Jaden Warner. Can they fire in attack? It's four games without a goal and stats site fotmob states they have created just one big chance in those fixtures. Possible County XI: Townsend, Thomas, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, McLoughlin, Antwi, Whitmore, Ajiboye, Hudlin, Kamwa. THE OPPOSITION A tense afternoon for Tranmere at Rodney Parade looked very possible for much of the run-in but they secured their EFL status last weekend. A 2-0 win against Crewe at Prenton Park meant that Carlisle, who went down to defeat at Cheltenham anyway, will join Morecambe in the National League. It has been a hugely disappointing season for Rovers, who started with plenty of hope under Nigel Adkins after a strong second half of the previous campaign. Tranmere probably showed too much faith in Adkins when things were going wrong and interim boss Andy Crosby has got them out of a pickle in a terrific audition to get the top job permanently. Crosby has been in charge for 12 fixtures and has a record of five wins, five draws and two defeats. He is averaging 1.67 points per game, which is the tally that third-placed Bradford have over the course of the season. COUNTY STATS Leading scorer: Bobby Kamwa (9). Most assists: Anthony Glennon (8). League position: 21st (49 points). Form guide: DLLDDL. FORM: Tranmere have turned around their fortunes to escape the drop (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency) TRANMERE STATS Leading scorer: Omari Patrick (10). Most assists: Josh Hawkes, Omari Patrick, Regan Hendry (4). League position: 22nd (48 points). Form guide: LWDLDW. MATCH ODDS County 18/5, draw 11/4, Tranmere 4/6 LAST TIME County were awful when beaten 2-1 at Tranmere in November, Connor Jennings and Kieron Morris earning the spoils for Rovers despite Kyle Hudlin's late header. A miserable afternoon was completed when Jameson was sent off for a daft booking in added time. Tranmere also won 2-1 in Newport in the run-in last season thanks to a brace by influential loanee Rob Apter. League Two fixtures (all 3pm): Accrington v Chesterfield, Bradford v Fleetwood, Bromley v Cheltenham, Carlisle v Salford, Colchester v Barrow, Crewe v Walsall, Grimsby v AFC Wimbledon, Morecambe v Harrogate, Newport County v Tranmere, Notts County v Doncaster, Port Vale v Gillingham, Swindon v Milton Keynes Dons.
