Leek captain takes on player coach role with Staffordshire
STAFFORDSHIRE have appointed Leek captain Alex Mellor as their new player-coach.
Mellor will join director of cricket Dave Cartledge’s backroom staff, as well as continuing to be available for playing duties.
The 29-year-old, who captains North Staffs and South Cheshire League Premier Division side Leek, boasts experience on the firstclass scene after four seasons with Warwickshire.
Staffordshire chairman Phil Oliver said: “It’s a great appointment. Alex has played first-class and he’s on his Level Three coaching badge, which makes a big difference because there’s only one step above that.
“He’s learning on the job and that will help his development. It’s a solid move for the county because he’s a Staffordshire lad.
“It’s come up at the right time for him. He will also be helping Greg Willott with the development squad, which is an important link to have.
“This moves us on and gives us a different view on things like warmups and tactically as well.”
Mellor progressed through Leek’s junior system before becoming a key component of the first team at Highfield.
He was handed his Staffordshire chance in the 2014 and helped the county to win the Championship title that summer when they defeated Wiltshire in the final at Salisbury.
Mellor marked his home threeday bow with a century against Hertfordshire at Knypersley in 2014 - but it was an innings he played the following season which open the door to the professional stage.
The left-handed wicketkeeperbatsman compiled an unbeaten 208 against Suffolk at Longton, which paved the way for his move to Warwickshire.
He made 26 appearances across the pro formats before being released by the Edgbaston outfit in 2019.
Mellor has continued to play for Staffs, though, and featured in the Knockout Trophy side which lost to Herefordshire in the 2016 final.
The Leek-born player made just one appearance for Staffs in 2019, but it turned out to be in a crucial fixture as victory over Norfolk at Longton secured the Unicorns Eastern Division title.
In total, he has played 14 Championship, 11 50-over and one Twenty20 game for Staffs. He’s scored more than 1,300 runs for the county.
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