Peter Mellor
Encyclopedia
Peter Mellor is an English former professional footballer (soccer player) whose career spanned three decades. Born in Prestbury, Cheshire
, Mellor won an England Youth cap whilst with his first club Witton Albion
. Tall, fair haired and ever smiling Mellor was soon spotted by Burnley
, and quickly became their regular keeper. The arrival of Alan Stevenson from Chesterfield in January 1971 saw him going in the opposite direction for a loan period at Saltergate
, and from there a month later to Fulham
. Mellor was to make over 200 appearances for the Cottagers
in all competitions, including perhaps most memorably an appearance in the 1975 FA Cup Final
during which he was unfortunate enough to be deemed at fault for both West Ham’s two goals. In autumn 1977 he moved to Hereford
, but the following close season moved to his final league club, Portmouth
. Mellor quickly became a hugely popular cult figure at Fratton Park
, keeping the emerging young Alan Knight
out of the team long after he was ready. Mellor ended his career in the United States, where he now lives and coaches.
Prestbury, Cheshire
Prestbury is a village, civil parish and ecclesiastical parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Prestbury is a long, narrow parish covering 1,165 hectares to the west of the Peak Park foothills and to the east of the sandstone ridge which is...
, Mellor won an England Youth cap whilst with his first club Witton Albion
Witton Albion F.C.
Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup...
. Tall, fair haired and ever smiling Mellor was soon spotted by Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, and quickly became their regular keeper. The arrival of Alan Stevenson from Chesterfield in January 1971 saw him going in the opposite direction for a loan period at Saltergate
Recreation Ground (Chesterfield)
Saltergate, officially the Recreation Ground, is the historic home of Chesterfield Football Club, and was in use from 1871 until the club's relocation in July 2010, a 139 year history that made it one of the oldest football grounds in England at the time of its closure...
, and from there a month later to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. Mellor was to make over 200 appearances for the Cottagers
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in all competitions, including perhaps most memorably an appearance in the 1975 FA Cup Final
1975 FA Cup Final
The 1975 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Fulham at Wembley. The Fulham team contained two former England captains in former West Ham captain Bobby Moore, making his last appearance at Wembley, and Alan Mullery. West Ham won 2–0, with the two goals scored by Alan Taylor...
during which he was unfortunate enough to be deemed at fault for both West Ham’s two goals. In autumn 1977 he moved to Hereford
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',...
, but the following close season moved to his final league club, Portmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. Mellor quickly became a hugely popular cult figure at Fratton Park
Fratton Park
Fratton Park is a football stadium in the English city-port of Portsmouth. It has been the home of professional club Portsmouth F.C. since its construction in 1898.-Description:...
, keeping the emerging young Alan Knight
Alan Knight (footballer)
Alan Edward Knight MBE is a former English footballer and currently the manager of Conference South club Dorchester Town. He holds the record for the most appearances for a single club by a goalkeeper, having played 683 league games for Portsmouth between 1978 and 2000; this superseded Peter...
out of the team long after he was ready. Mellor ended his career in the United States, where he now lives and coaches.