Palios has no hard feelings about Micky moving on
THREE trips to Wembley in three seasons proved Micky Mellon had a taste for the big occasion at Tranmere. It is a trait their chairman expects to continue on the stage now provided by Dundee United.
The disappointment Mark Palios felt at losing Mellon’s services was not accompanied by any resentment. Fully appreciative of the work done to deliver back-to-back promotions on Merseyside, he wishes the 48-year-old nothing but success in a first managerial post in his native Scotland. He understood the appeal of that prospect and the chance for Mellon to give notice of his talents to a wider audience. Locking horns with the likes of Neil Lennon and Steven Gerrard was a chance that couldn’t be turned down as Mellon looks to take his career to the next level. ‘That’s what we discussed when he was trying to articulate his motivation for going,’ Palios told Sportsmail. ‘He was very much about the fact he could be in a much higher-profile environment than being in League Two, without being in any way disrespectful to my own club and fans. ‘He’ll be playing against the Old Firm, games on Sky, potentially in Europe and in cup finals. ‘It’s a lot easier to catch the eye there. And some managerial careers have been built on being able to do that at the right time. ‘His exposure in terms of the shop window up there is certainly better than here. And he certainly has the ability. ‘There is a lovely story that I think sums up Micky’s success at Tranmere. When we went to Wembley for the third time last year, a father texted that his young son had asked him: “Dad, what time do we normally set off for Wembley”. Brilliant. That lad had a lot to learn about being a Tranmere fan! ‘But, for me, that was symbolic of the period of time that Micky played a huge part in developing. ‘I’m disappointed he won’t be with us next season, delighted with what he did for us, and confident he will do well with Dundee United and in the Scottish game.’ Tranmere lost their first National League play-off final before winning the subsequent season to return to the English Football League after a threeyear absence. Mellon again achieved success at Wembley 12 months later when Newport County were defeated in the League Two play-offs. The Birkenhead side were relegated back to the fourth tier on a tiny points-per-game margin when League One clubs decided the season couldn’t be completed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The injustice felt at Prenton Park was acute. Having marshalled their resources for a strong second half to the season, Mellon’s team had won their last three games prior to lockdown and were three points from safety with a game in hand. ‘We would have stayed in League One had everything been equal and we were able to play out the season,’ added Palios. ‘So there is no doubt that Micky did a great job. He is a fantastic coach, very positive and is a thinker. ‘The club was in a downward spiral and reached its nadir when it went out of the league in 2014-15, the year that we came in (as new owners). ‘We had to have a complete rebuild, on and off the park. The manager prior to Micky (Gary Brabin) had built a good team, a good foundation, but Micky came in and finished the job in some style. ‘We are a community club. I make no apologies for saying we are a working-class club. Micky is a working-class lad, he had played at the club and understood it. ‘We worked on improving the communication with supporters and the atmosphere. Micky latched on to that and went out with his fist pumps and showed the passion that he has. Our fans loved the fight in his belly and I’m sure the Dundee United fans will, too. ‘Football people also like to see brave substitutions, rather than a manager who sits and twiddles his thumbs, not sure what to do. Plus, Micky isn’t afraid to speak his mind.’ United are understood to have paid around £120,000 in compensation to Tranmere, with Palios praising the way in which the Tannadice club went about the move. ‘It doesn’t suit anyone to drag things out,’ said the former FA chief executive. ‘Dundee United are a good club to deal with. As much as it’s not pleasurable to lose your manager, it was done in a decent way. ‘I don’t think it’s necessary that he knows the Scottish game, whatever that means. Coaching is coaching. In that regard, I’m sure he’ll be a real success. ‘We at Tranmere wish him well, that’s without a doubt. Just look at the reaction on social media for evidence of that. You can see the bond created with the fans. ‘Put it this way, I think Dundee United have got a whole bunch of fans back here on Merseyside now.’