Mel Eves
Encyclopedia
Melvyn James "Mel" Eves (born September 10, 1956 in Darlaston
) is a former English
professional footballer who had a long career playing as a striker and left sided attacker, mostly known for his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers
.
at Molineux
in the First Division
.
His first goal was at Chelsea
in 1978, followed by the winner against Manchester United
in the following game and a goal in victory over Aston Villa
afterwards. Such a run saw him earn a spot in the England B's
summer tour of 1978,managed by the legendary Sir Bobby Robson, where he made three appearances and scored one goal (in a record 8-0 success over Singapore's full team).
Eves played in Wolves' 1980 League Cup
final triumph over then-European Cup holders Nottingham Forest
at Wembley.
He was top goalscorer in 1981/82
(seven goals) as Wolves slumped out of the top flight, but his 18 league goal haul the following year, not only earned him the top goalscorer award again, but saw the team immediately return to Division One.
Financial problems then struck Wolves and saw many players, including Eves, leave after relegation. After a period of time training at Manchester City
, recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in his last game for Wolves in May 1984, Eves was signed by Sheffield United
in December 1984. Here, he played until May 1986 and was also voted 'Player of the Year' by fans.
Eves then moved to Gillingham
and played two further seasons in the third tier. He retired through injury in May 1989 after a six month spell at Walsall
, aged 32.
Upon leaving the game, Eves became an independent financial advisor (IFA), often dealing with advising young footballers. He became a licensed FA agent in the mid 1990s and became more involved with the agency work, although also running an IFA business. In the 2000s, though, he has focused more on his agency commitments, representing players such as Enzo Maresca
, Benito Carbone, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Robert Earnshaw
and Gareth McAuley
. He now heads up Eleven Sports Management and has working alongside him ex-professional footballers John Williams, Carl Hutchings
, Ben Abbey and Chris Marsh.
Eves also had a short stint as manager of part-time non-league Willenhall Town
from March 2006 until November 2007 when he resigned through work commitments.He won the Birmingham Senior Cup for the first time in the 125 year history of the competition and reached the play-off final in the 2006-07 season eventually losing out in extra time to Bromsgrove Rovers.
He is also the cousin of Monorchid Codsall
Playboy, James Dunn
.
Darlaston
Darlaston is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall in the West Midlands of England.-History:Archaeological evidence of the history of Darlaston has been destroyed by The de Darlaston family owned Darlaston and lived in the manor between the 12th century and 15th century. When the de...
) is a former English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who had a long career playing as a striker and left sided attacker, mostly known for his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
.
Career
Eves was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School from 1968 to 1975 when he represented England as a Schoolboy International before joining Wolves. He eventually made his debut on 26 November 1977 against Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
.
His first goal was at Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in 1978, followed by the winner against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the following game and a goal in victory over Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
afterwards. Such a run saw him earn a spot in the England B's
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
summer tour of 1978,managed by the legendary Sir Bobby Robson, where he made three appearances and scored one goal (in a record 8-0 success over Singapore's full team).
Eves played in Wolves' 1980 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
final triumph over then-European Cup holders Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
at Wembley.
He was top goalscorer in 1981/82
1981-82 in English football
The 1981–82 season was the 102nd season of competitive football in England.It was also the first season that the Three points for a win system was introduced.- First Division :Three points for a win was introduced for the first time in England...
(seven goals) as Wolves slumped out of the top flight, but his 18 league goal haul the following year, not only earned him the top goalscorer award again, but saw the team immediately return to Division One.
Financial problems then struck Wolves and saw many players, including Eves, leave after relegation. After a period of time training at Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in his last game for Wolves in May 1984, Eves was signed by Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in December 1984. Here, he played until May 1986 and was also voted 'Player of the Year' by fans.
Eves then moved to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
and played two further seasons in the third tier. He retired through injury in May 1989 after a six month spell at Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
, aged 32.
Upon leaving the game, Eves became an independent financial advisor (IFA), often dealing with advising young footballers. He became a licensed FA agent in the mid 1990s and became more involved with the agency work, although also running an IFA business. In the 2000s, though, he has focused more on his agency commitments, representing players such as Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca is an Italian footballer, who currently plays for Málaga CF in Spanish La Liga.-Youth career:Maresca started playing youth football at A.C. Milan, before joining Cagliari...
, Benito Carbone, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Robert Earnshaw
Robert Earnshaw
Robert Earnshaw is a Welsh footballer who plays for Cardiff City and Wales. He is the only player to have scored a hat-trick in the English Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two , the League Cup, the FA Cup and for his country at International level.Earnshaw was born in Mufulira,...
and Gareth McAuley
Gareth McAuley
Gareth Gerald McAuley is a Northern Ireland footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a defender.-Early career:...
. He now heads up Eleven Sports Management and has working alongside him ex-professional footballers John Williams, Carl Hutchings
Carl Hutchings
Carl Hutchings is an English retired professional association football who played as a defender. In a League career lasting from 1993 to 2003, Hutchings made 295 league appearances, scoring 16 goals, for five different sides.-Career:...
, Ben Abbey and Chris Marsh.
Eves also had a short stint as manager of part-time non-league Willenhall Town
Willenhall Town F.C.
Willenhall Town F.C. are a football club based in Willenhall, Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, West Midlands, England, currently playing in the Midland Alliance.-History:...
from March 2006 until November 2007 when he resigned through work commitments.He won the Birmingham Senior Cup for the first time in the 125 year history of the competition and reached the play-off final in the 2006-07 season eventually losing out in extra time to Bromsgrove Rovers.
He is also the cousin of Monorchid Codsall
Codsall
Codsall is a large village in the South Staffordshire district of Staffordshire, England. It is situated north west of the city of Wolverhampton.-History:...
Playboy, James Dunn
James Dunn
James Dunn, Jim Dunn or Jimmy Dunn may refer to:James Dunn:*James Dunn , an actor who performed in Bad Girl and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn*James Dunn , Australian Senator...
.