MAGIC MICKY
How Micky Mellon revived the fortunes of Shrewsbury Town
MANAGERLESS. Relegated to League Two. Shorn of all but four players. Twelve months ago, Shrewsbury Town were a club in crisis.
Then Micky Mellon turned up and, from his command centre at Salop Caravan Park, set about masterminding a stunning revival.
Players were signed by the bucketload, an eye-catching passing style implemented. Now the Shrews are back in League One, promoted with a game to spare following last weekend’s 2-1 triumph at Cheltenham.
And for Mellon, the blank canvas that made his summer such hard work was actually a blessing in disguise.
Scars
“There was no hangover from relegation, no scars that had to heal,” says the Scot. “I think we signed 18 or 19 new players and even behind the scenes it was largely a new staff.We got to make a complete break with last season and start from scratch.
“When we saw them training and we saw the mentality, there was a real, instant chemistry there.
“No manager ever sits there and says ‘We will win promotion’. There’s far too much work to be done. But at that time, it was obvious we had a group who could win games. I was thinking ‘Yeah, we’ve got something here’.
“I think the key has been our adaptability. Whether it be poor pitches, direct play, teams who hog possession – we’ve always tried to change, to find answers to the problems set.
“Liam Lawrence is a great example of that. He’s a guy who has spent his career in the Premier League and was dropping into League Two for the first time in a decade. It’s very, very different but it was a challenge he was willing to take on. He found ways to make his class tell and, like the others, can be very pleased with his work.”
Mellon says promotion was marked “with a few beers and a few man hugs”. And for the 43year-old’s wife and two sons, there was extra reason to celebrate with news that Mellon may finally be moving into a proper house!
“Yeah, I think the time has come,” he laughs. “When I first got here, one of the major shareholders at the club had one of these big static caravans.
“It was out in the countryside, absolutely beautiful. And it just made sense for the way myself and the fitness coach were living at the time.
“I absolutely loved it and, to be honest, I’d like to go back but the opportunity hasn’t arisen. We’re just living in hotels at the minute, back to brick walls again.
“My family are still in Blackpool and I’m down here, but that’s probably going to change now. I’m looking to get a permanent base which will help family life.”
But while Mellon is putting down roots in Shropshire, some of his players won’t be so lucky. In the coming weeks, hearts will be broken.
Fair
“You’ve got to be fair to everybody at the club, not just the players,” he says. “That means making tough decisions and judgement calls about whether people can step up. And to be honest, myself and the staff have already done most of that. “You can’t have any sentiment, which is sad because you do get very, very close to your players over the course of a season. But the football club is bigger than any individual.”
And having been sacked by Fleetwood despite lying fourth in League Two in December 2012, does Mellon feel any sense of personal vindication?
“I honestly don’t,” he says. “An awful lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. I’ve been assistant to David Flitcroft, pictured, at Barnsley, I’ve done my pro licence. It’s coming up to three years now and I’m not the type of guy to hold a grudge.
“When you’re a young manager, you can’t be bitter.You have to try and learn lessons from everything, good and bad.Without that experience, I might not be enjoying promotion with Shrewsbury.”
And it’s a double celebration now as old pal Flitcroft clinched promotion with Bury yesterday on a dramatic final day.
The Shakers won 1-0 at Tranmere to leapfrog Southend, who lost 3-1 at Morecambe, for the final automatic promotion spot.
“Flicker is one of my absolute best friends in the world,” said the former Blackpool and Tranmere midfielder. “He’s a man with incredible energy and drive. I’m just glad neither of us are in the play-offs!”