Jimmy Melia
Inside Forward (1953 - 1964)
Date of Birth: 01/11/37
Birthplace: Liverpool
Debut : 17th December 1955 v Nottingham Forest (H) Football League Division Two: won 5-2
1st team games: 287
1st team goals: 78
Other clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, Aldershot (player/coach), Crewe Alexandra (first as a player then player/manager), Southport (manager), Brighton & Hove Albion (manager), Belenenses (coach), Stockport County (manager)
National Team: England (1963) 2 caps/1 goal
Raised in the Scotland Road area of Liverpool as one of 11 children, inside forward Melia joined the Anfield ground staff straight from school as a 15-year old in 1953. He turned professional the following year and made his senior debut in the old Second Division in December 1955, scoring in a 5-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
His best season's goal haul was 21 from 40 outings in 1958-59 and he was well established when Bill Shankly arrived the following December to revolutionise Anfield fortunes. Melia won a Second Division championship medal in 1962, scoring 12 goals as a 42-game ever present.
Two years later he helped Liverpool land the League title for the first time since 1947, his talents recognised by two England caps following Schoolboy, Youth and Football League appearances. But the emergence of Alf Arrowsmith cost Melia his Liverpool place and after scoring 78 goals in 287 senior games he joined Wolves for £50,000 in March 1964, later joining Southampton and becoming player manager of Aldershot and Crewe and boss of Southport, prior to working in the Middle East and America.
His managerial highpoint came in 1983 when, gaining national recognition wearing eye-catching white shoes, he led Brighton to the FA Cup Final, inflicting a stunning fifth round home defeat on Bob Paisley's mighty champions Liverpool en route. But after going desperately close to beating Manchester United at Wembley the game ended 2-2 and Melia's relegated side lost the replay 4-0. Melia later managed Portuguese club Beleneses and Stockport before coaching in Texas.
Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1963/64, Second Division Championship 1961/62
Jimmy Melia