Mel Blyth
Encyclopedia
Melvin Bernard "Mel" Blyth (born Norwich
, England
on 28 July 1944) is a former footballer, who played for several clubs, including Southampton
with whom he won the FA Cup
in 1976
.
. He then joined Norwich City
, although he never made an appearance in the first team.
When, in October 1967, former Norwich manager, Ron Ashman
, took up the reins at Scunthorpe United
, then struggling at the foot of Division 3, he returned to his old club to sign several players, including Steve Deere, Geoff Barnard and Mel Blyth to shore up the holes in the defence.
Unfortunately, Scunthorpe were relegated at the end of the 1967-68 season and in July 1968, Mel moved on to Crystal Palace
.
on the following Saturday.
As Palace struggled in Division 1, regularly finishing just above the relegation zone, Mel became a permanent fixture in the Palace defence alongside John McCormick
. He was deposed as centre back for a while by Roger Hynd
but after playing in midfield for much of the 1969-70 season he won his place back when Hynd was temporarily switched to the forward line. The contrasting styles of Blyth and McCormick made for a good mix, and the two of them stayed together until McCormick's retirement, near the end of Bert Head
's time in charge.
Palace eventually lost their fight to avoid relegation at the end of the 1972-73 season, under manager Malcolm Allison
. In the following season, Mel had a long spell of injury and Palace went straight on down into Division 3. Shortly after the start of the 1974-75 season, in the same week that Ian Evans arrived from QPR
, Mel was signed by Southampton
for a fee of £60,000.
’s first over-30 signings. His move to The Dell renewed his enthusiasm and there he played the best football of his career. Blyth’s impact in his first season at The Dell
was such that he was voted the supporters’ player of the year.
His effective partnership with Jim Steele was the mainstay of Saints’ victorious FA Cup run of 1976
, including beating his former club, Crystal Palace, in the semi-final.
By the end of the 1976-77 season, six of the twelve players from Saints Cup-winning side had left the club; Mel was the seventh after he had argued with McMenemy about breaking up the cup-winning team too quickly. The arrival of Chris Nicholl
, in 1977, signalled the end of 33-year-old Mel’s sojourn on the South coast and, after a brief return to Palace, he completed his League career with Millwall
.
In total he made 136 appearances for the Saints, scoring 7 goals.
signed him on loan, after Ian Evans, who had replaced him in 1974, had broken his leg.
In both stints at Palace, Mel made 262 first team appearances scoring 12 goals.
, and then in November 1978, he moved on to Millwall
, where he made a further 86 appearances.
City, then managed by former Palace coach, Frank Lord
. At Cape Town, he played alongside Mick Channon
& Kevin Keegan
. He later played for Houston Hurricane
, before a spell in 1981 in Hong Kong with Bulova alongside Charlie George
and Barry Haines (formerly at Spurs
). After falling out with the manager, Ron Wylie
, Mel returned to England, ending his career at non-league Andover
.
’s schoolboy academy.
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 28 July 1944) is a former footballer, who played for several clubs, including Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
with whom he won the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in 1976
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
.
Norwich City and Scunthorpe United
Mel Blyth started his football career with non-league Great YarmouthGreat Yarmouth Town F.C.
Great Yarmouth Town F.C. is an English football club based in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the Wellesley Recreation Ground, whose grandstand is believed to be the world's oldest football stand still in regular...
. He then joined Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, although he never made an appearance in the first team.
When, in October 1967, former Norwich manager, Ron Ashman
Ron Ashman
Ronald George Ashman was an English professional footballer and football manager. Born in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, he spent his entire playing career with Norwich City F.C. and was later their manager. He went on to manage Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town.Ashman played 662 games for Norwich,...
, took up the reins at Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, then struggling at the foot of Division 3, he returned to his old club to sign several players, including Steve Deere, Geoff Barnard and Mel Blyth to shore up the holes in the defence.
Unfortunately, Scunthorpe were relegated at the end of the 1967-68 season and in July 1968, Mel moved on to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
.
Crystal Palace
Mel joined Crystal Palace in the summer of 1968 as an old-style wing-half, but he developed into a centre-back. He immediately became a regular member of Palace’s 1968-69 Division 2 promotion side, and the in their first ever match in Division 1, he scored Palace’s first goal in the top flight with a looping header against Manchester United. He followed this with another goal against EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
on the following Saturday.
As Palace struggled in Division 1, regularly finishing just above the relegation zone, Mel became a permanent fixture in the Palace defence alongside John McCormick
John McCormick (footballer)
John McCormick , is a former professional footballer.He began his career at Third Lanark, where he helped his hometown club to a third-placed finish in the Scottish First Division, before moving to Aberdeen....
. He was deposed as centre back for a while by Roger Hynd
Roger Hynd
John Roger Shankly Hynd , known as Roger Hynd, is a former Scottish professional footballer who played as a centre-half. He started his playing career at Rangers, for whom he played in the 1967 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final, before moving to the Football League...
but after playing in midfield for much of the 1969-70 season he won his place back when Hynd was temporarily switched to the forward line. The contrasting styles of Blyth and McCormick made for a good mix, and the two of them stayed together until McCormick's retirement, near the end of Bert Head
Bert Head
Bertram James Head was an English professional football player and manager.-Playing career:Head was born in Midsomer Norton and began his career with his local team before joining Welton Rovers. He moved to Torquay United in October 1936 and made his debut, at right-back, in a 1–0 win at home to...
's time in charge.
Palace eventually lost their fight to avoid relegation at the end of the 1972-73 season, under manager Malcolm Allison
Malcolm Allison
Malcolm Alexander Allison was an English football player and manager. Nicknamed "Big Mal", he was one of English football's most flamboyant and intriguing characters because of his panache, fedora and cigar, controversies off the pitch and outspoken nature.Allison's managerial potential become...
. In the following season, Mel had a long spell of injury and Palace went straight on down into Division 3. Shortly after the start of the 1974-75 season, in the same week that Ian Evans arrived from QPR
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, Mel was signed by Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for a fee of £60,000.
Southampton
Saints paid £60,000 for Mel Blyth in September 1974 – he was one of Lawrie McMenemyLawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy MBE is a retired English football coach, best known for his spell as manager of Southampton Football Club...
’s first over-30 signings. His move to The Dell renewed his enthusiasm and there he played the best football of his career. Blyth’s impact in his first season at The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
was such that he was voted the supporters’ player of the year.
His effective partnership with Jim Steele was the mainstay of Saints’ victorious FA Cup run of 1976
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
, including beating his former club, Crystal Palace, in the semi-final.
By the end of the 1976-77 season, six of the twelve players from Saints Cup-winning side had left the club; Mel was the seventh after he had argued with McMenemy about breaking up the cup-winning team too quickly. The arrival of Chris Nicholl
Chris Nicholl
Christopher John "Chris" Nicholl is an English-born former Northern Ireland international footballer.-Playing career:Nicholl was born in Macclesfield...
, in 1977, signalled the end of 33-year-old Mel’s sojourn on the South coast and, after a brief return to Palace, he completed his League career with Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
.
In total he made 136 appearances for the Saints, scoring 7 goals.
Back to Crystal Palace
Mel re-appeared in Palace’s colours in November 1977, when Terry VenablesTerry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
signed him on loan, after Ian Evans, who had replaced him in 1974, had broken his leg.
In both stints at Palace, Mel made 262 first team appearances scoring 12 goals.
Millwall
In the summer of 1978 he moved to non-league MargateMargate
-Demography:As of the 2001 UK census, Margate had a population of 40,386.The ethnicity of the town was 97.1% white, 1.0% mixed race, 0.5% black, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% Chinese or other ethnicity....
, and then in November 1978, he moved on to Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, where he made a further 86 appearances.
Foreign Adventures
In the 1978 close-season he played for Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
City, then managed by former Palace coach, Frank Lord
Frank Lord
Frank Lord was an English footballer and manager. He played as a centre-forward, with a goalscoring ratio of nearly 1 goal in every 2 league matches...
. At Cape Town, he played alongside Mick Channon
Mick Channon
Michael Roger "Mick" Channon is a sportsman who enjoyed a career as a striker with Southampton and England in the 1970s and later became a hugely successful racehorse trainer.-Southampton:...
& Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
. He later played for Houston Hurricane
Houston Hurricane
The Houston Hurricane was a soccer team based out of Houston that played in the NASL. They played from 1978 to 1980. Their home field was the Astrodome. Their colors were orange, white and red....
, before a spell in 1981 in Hong Kong with Bulova alongside Charlie George
Charlie George
Charles Frederick "Charlie" George is an English former footballer. He played as a forward in the Football League and he was also capped by England.-Arsenal:...
and Barry Haines (formerly at Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
). After falling out with the manager, Ron Wylie
Ron Wylie
Ronald M. Wylie is a Scottish former football player, coach and manager. He played as a right half or inside forward for Notts County, Aston Villa and Birmingham City, making more than 550 appearances in the Football League, and more than 700 in all competitions...
, Mel returned to England, ending his career at non-league Andover
Andover F.C.
Andover F.C. was a football club based in Andover, Hampshire, established in 1883. Since the 2007–08 season, Andover had been a member of the Southern League Division One South and West at Step 4 of the National League System...
.
After football
Although he was an electrician by trade, Mel later became a driving instructor but, by November 1990 he was running his own building firm in south London. In 2003 he was a director of a building company and also a part-time coach in Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
’s schoolboy academy.