Ian Mellor

I have already posted my tribute to Trevor Hockey, the man I believed largely responsible for Norwich City avoiding relegation in the 1972-73 season, at the same time acknowledging the arrival of Colin Suggett and his efforts to the cause. However, another young man was brought in at around that same period who also more than played his part in securing our top level status.

Ian Mellor, was a clever signing by Ron Saunders. Recognising the slide down the table during the winter months, the City manager paid £65,000 for the 22 year old left winger. For his money he got a player who was pacy and extremely tricky. He was tall, very tall, but used his awkwardness to great effect. He also had the ability to pop up unnoticed in the box and given his height, was a danger with his head. Whilst generally a wide man, he was excellent at cutting inside and causing a bit of mayhem amongst opposing defenders. As a young man myself at the time, I recall thinking that he was more creative than most I had seen in yellow and green - a player that could spark things off around him.

Remembering the gloom surrounding Carrow Road in early 1973, Ian Mellor was a great acquisition. He had learnt his trade at Manchester City alongside legends Francis Lee, Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee. His presence brought us some entertainment in the final third of the field and he was soon a favourite with the fans. In all, he featured in eleven of those relegation matches, and as I said, played his part in our ultimate survival. Along the way he also had a significant role in helping Norwich reach the final of the Texaco Cup that season, scoring three goals over the two legs in the semi final as City won 4-3 on aggregate against Motherwell.

Although his time with the Canaries lasted longer than that of Hockey, Mellor's contribution to Norwich City was also destined to be relatively short. He did play under Saunders' predecessor John Bond, but was increasingly overlooked as the new manager brought in his own men. To help fund this, Mellor was sold to Brighton in 1974 for £40,000 (a record for the south coast side at the time). It was a shame to see him go in many ways because he was always a dangerous player and liable to produce something a bit different. I remember a good goal he scored at Carrow Road against West Ham in a 2-2 draw early in that 1973-74 season. He also scored our only goal in the League Cup semi final games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, netting in the 1-1 first leg draw (we lost the second leg at Molineux 1-0, Mellor's last ever game in Norwich colours).

In all competitions he represented City 43 times, scoring 9 goals. His farewell league appearance was on the 12th of January 1974 in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at Highbury.

'The Spider', as he was known, had a great time at Brighton, not only scoring goals, but also acting as architect for the prolific Peter Ward. Spells at Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City were to follow. Wherever Ian Mellor was employed, he was always a popular player. After retirement, he became a PFA executive, and his son Neil currently plays for Preston North End.

Ian Mellor wrote just a few sentences in the history of our club. But given the times they were in, those sentences were vital and exciting.

Ian Mellor's League appearances :
1970-1973 Manchester City  40 - 7 goals
1973-1974 Norwich City 29 - 2 goals
1974-1978 Brighton & Hove Alb 122 - 31 goals
1978-1979 Chester City 40 - 11 goals
1979-1982 Sheffield Wednesday 70 - 11 goals
1982-1984 Bradford City 36 - 4 goals
before turning professional Ian Mellor played for Wythenshawe Amateurs, and after leaving Bradford City went to Worksop Town.


pictured : Ian Mellor - as a Norwich player but still in Manchester City colours !!


[This article has been updated and first appeared on Sing Up The River End! on the 15th of February 2010]
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