Mel Pejic
Encyclopedia
Mel Pejic is a former footballer and current physiotherapist of Bolton Wanderers
and the Wales national football team
. As a player, he played in the positions of full-back and centre-back for Stoke City
, Hereford United
and Wrexham.
in 1990 when Hereford defeated Wrexham at Cardiff Arms Park
.
In a 12 season stint, he made 523 competitive appearances, scoring 24 goals. Of these, 412 were in league matches, for which he holds the clubs Football League appearances record, where he also scored 14 goals, and puts him second in the all time appearance list for the Bulls, behind John Layton Senior who played a total 549 times for the club during their non-league days.
He moved to Wrexham midway through the 1991-92 season, and went on to make over 100 league appearances for the Red Dragons. Towards the end of his playing days he firstly completed his FA Diploma in the Treatment and Management of Injuries, before studying and gaining a Physiotherapy Degree from Salford University, later taking over first physio duties at Wrexham and then under the managership of John Toshack the Wales national football team
senior physiotherapists position, being promoted from a similar position with the Under 21 team.
Mel announced on the 21st August that he will be leaving Wrexham.
He is now a physiotherapist at Bolton Wanderers.
One of Mel's sons, Shaun
, currently plays for Crystal Palace Baltimore, and his elder brother Mike
was also a footballer.
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
and the Wales national football team
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
. As a player, he played in the positions of full-back and centre-back for Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
and Wrexham.
Career
He made his first team debut for Stoke in January 1980 against Ipswich Town, however he was released by Stoke at the end of the season. He signed for Hereford United where he spent the majority of his footballing career. Unfortunately a serious knee ligament injury hampered his first two seasons at Edgar Street. However in the next four seasons he missed only five matches and was voted Player of the Year for three successive seasons in 1983, 1984 and 1985. He later became the only Hereford United Captain to lifted the Welsh CupWelsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
in 1990 when Hereford defeated Wrexham at Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park , also known as The Arms Park, is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green, and is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World...
.
In a 12 season stint, he made 523 competitive appearances, scoring 24 goals. Of these, 412 were in league matches, for which he holds the clubs Football League appearances record, where he also scored 14 goals, and puts him second in the all time appearance list for the Bulls, behind John Layton Senior who played a total 549 times for the club during their non-league days.
He moved to Wrexham midway through the 1991-92 season, and went on to make over 100 league appearances for the Red Dragons. Towards the end of his playing days he firstly completed his FA Diploma in the Treatment and Management of Injuries, before studying and gaining a Physiotherapy Degree from Salford University, later taking over first physio duties at Wrexham and then under the managership of John Toshack the Wales national football team
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
senior physiotherapists position, being promoted from a similar position with the Under 21 team.
Mel announced on the 21st August that he will be leaving Wrexham.
He is now a physiotherapist at Bolton Wanderers.
One of Mel's sons, Shaun
Shaun Pejic
Shaun Melvyn Pejic is a footballer who plays as a defender for Bangor City. Born in England, he has represented Wales at under-21 level.-Club career:...
, currently plays for Crystal Palace Baltimore, and his elder brother Mike
Mike Pejic
Mike Pejic , is a retired English-Serbian footballer. His father was Serbian and his mother was English.-Career:...
was also a footballer.