It was 2003, the halcyon days before the Championship, when Twitter was consigned to the birds and when West Ham United had been relegated from the Premiership.
It was also when Glenn Roeder said “I’m of the same opinion as Gérard Houllier. He’s an excellent prospect and he’s come in here on a year’s loan.” He was talking about Liverpool striker Neil Mellor.
Neil Mellor came to West Ham with a handful of matches for the Liverpool first team and a prolific goal scoring record for the reserves. However West Ham never saw the best of him, despite scoring a brace against Crystal Palace in late September he failed to hit the back of the net again in the league that season. Glenn Roeder’s sacking and Alan Pardew’s protracted appointment didn’t help matters and he was soon back in the Liverpool reserves.
The 2004-5 was the season when Mellor was given his break in the Liverpool first team and he took it well. He scored from the match winner from 30 yards against Arsenal at Anfield and also helped Liverpool to progress to Champions League knock out stages with a goal and an assist in a crucial game against Olympiacos.
Unfortunately fortune didn’t favour him and he was ruled out for the rest of the league season missing out on Liverpool’s Champions League win in Istanbul. Further knee injuries hampered his progress in the first team and he was eventually loaned to Wigan and then signed for Preston NE permanently in August 2006. Injuries quickly took their toll in December 2011; a knee injury sustained following a tackle by Milton Keynes striker Jabo Ibehre resulted in Mellor being forced into announcing his retirement on 9 May 2012 aged 29. Following a number of injury hit seasons he amassed 38 goals in 130 league matches at Deepdale.
His career was beset by injuries but following an unremarkable loan with West Ham many would not have seen him returning to Liverpool and playing such a large part in their success in the mid 2000’s. It does remind you that professional football career can be a cruel temptress and Mellor will know that more than most.
Follow Tim @timsyouruncle
I remember the brace he scored against Crystal Palace when Brooking was in charge.
Not much of a career finishing at 29.
10 to 2 feet
Ha! Had completely forgotten about Neil Mellor. Too much for his knees in the end I suppose.
I remember he was very very average, and got a fair bit of abuse.
I can also remember driving back from a night game there was loads of scousers phoning in slagging us off for not releasing what a gem of a player he was and was going to be world class.
Great piece, well written.
Unfortuantely the weight on his knees was an issue in the end!
Sh•t Sandwich.
Piss poor.
Average player, no pace. Didn’t slag him off, but not sorry to see him go.