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Jacob Alexander Mellis (born 8 January 1991)[3] is an English former professional footballer.

Jacob Mellis
Mellis warming-up for Chelsea in 2010
Personal information
Full name Jacob Alexander Mellis[1]
Date of birth (1991-01-08) 8 January 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2002–2007 Sheffield United
2007–2009 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 Chelsea 0 (0)
2009–2010Southampton (loan) 12 (0)
2011Barnsley (loan) 15 (2)
2012–2014 Barnsley 66 (8)
2014–2015 Blackpool 13 (0)
2015Oldham Athletic (loan) 7 (0)
2015–2017 Bury 58 (3)
2017–2020 Mansfield Town 84 (4)
2020 Bolton Wanderers 6 (0)
2020–2021 Gillingham 8 (1)
2021–2022 Southend United 3 (0)
2022 Leatherhead 2 (0)
Total 274 (18)
International career
2006–2007 England U16 6 (0)
2007–2008 England U17 3 (1)
2009–2010 England U19 12 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:52, 11 September 2022 (UTC)

He transferred from Sheffield United to Chelsea at the age of 16 for a £1 million fee, but made only one substitute appearance before being dismissed for misconduct in March 2012.[4] He spent most of the rest of his career in the English Football League, making 94 Championship appearances for Barnsley and Blackpool and scoring eight goals.

Club career

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Chelsea

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Mellis was born in Nottingham and started his career as a trainee with Sheffield United, before joining Premier League club Chelsea for £1 million in June 2007. He was a member of the Chelsea team that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup under manager Paul Clement in 2008, but was sent-off in the 90th minute of the second leg, as Chelsea lost 4–2 on aggregate to Manchester City.[5] In the 2008–09 season, he became a regular in Chelsea's reserves making 13 appearances with three goals.[6]

In August 2009, he joined Southampton on loan[7] and made his Saints debut a day after signing, as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat at Huddersfield Town.[8] He returned to Chelsea in January 2010[9] but did not make a senior appearance until 23 November that year, in what would be his only Chelsea first team game, coming on in added time as a substitute for Josh McEachran against MŠK Žilina in the UEFA Champions League group stage, a 2–1 home win.[10]

The following January, Mellis signed for Barnsley on a five-month loan.[11] Mellis made his Barnsley debut the next day, in a 2–0 win over Preston North End.[12] He scored his first Barnsley goal in a next game on 5 February 2011 in a 4–1 defeat to Leicester City,[13] which he scored in the next game seven days later against Ipswich Town.[14] Mellis went on to make fifteen appearances and scoring two times.

In March 2012, Mellis was sacked by Chelsea after he admitted setting off a smoke grenade and causing a full-scale evacuation at the club's Cobham Training Centre.[15] Mellis's teammate Billy Clifford escaped with a fine after admitting he brought the grenade – understood to be from a paintball expedition – into Chelsea's Cobham training headquarters.[4] Following his release by Chelsea, Mellis went on trial at Queens Park Rangers.[16] Manager Mark Hughes was impressed with his performance and was keen to extend his trial at the club.[17]

Barnsley

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On 18 June 2012, Mellis agreed a two-year deal with Championship side Barnsley.[18] During a pre-season friendly against Rotherham United, on 21 July 2012, Mellis scored the first goal in the New York Stadium since its opening on 12 March 2012.[19]

Mellis made his Barnsley debut since joining the club permanently, where he set up a goal for John Stones, in the first round of League Cup, and played 120 minutes in a 4–3 win over Rochdale.[20] Seven days later, Mellis made his league debut in the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 win over Middlesbrough.[21] Mellis scored his first goal for Barnsley during a 1–0 win over Bristol City on 1 September 2012,[22] followed scoring his second goal three weeks later on 18 September 2012, in a 2–1 loss against Blackburn Rovers.[23] The following game against Birmingham City on 22 September 2012, Mellis provided a hat-trick assist, in a 5–0 win.[24] Two months later on 24 November 2012, Mellis' fourth goal came in a 2–1 win over Cardiff City.[25] Soon after, Mellis suffered a dead leg that kept him out for month.[26] After a month on the sidelines, Mellis made his first team return, where he came on as a substitute for Jim O'Brien, in a 2–0 win over Leeds United on 12 January 2013.[27] Following his return, Mellis went on to score three more goals against Wolves,[28] Sheffield Wednesday[29] and Hull City (which later awarded 2012–13 Goal of the Season award).[30][31] After helping the club remain in the Championship, Mellis finished his first full season at Barnsley, scoring six goals in thirty-six appearances.

In the 2013–14 season, Mellis continued to be in the first team, though he suffered injuries.[32][33] Mellis scored his first Barnsley goal of the 2013–14 season on 3 December 2013, in a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.[34] Twenty-Eight days later on 1 January 2014, Mellis scored the club's first 2014-goal when he scored from a free-kick, in a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City.[35][36] Then on 1 February 2014, Mellis was sent-off in the last minutes after he "recklessly" jumped in on Wednesday winger Jacques Maghoma, in a 1–0 loss against Sheffield Wednesday.[37] After serving three match ban,[38] Mellis returned to the first team on 22 February 2014, in a 1–0 win over Millwall.[39] Towards the end of the season, Mellis' playing time was soon reduced slightly, due to being on the bench.

Following Barnsley's relegation to League One in 2014, Mellis was offered a new contract at Oakwell,[40] but he turned it down and subsequently left the club.[41]

Blackpool

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On 28 July 2014, Mellis signed a one-year deal with Championship side Blackpool, along with two other players.[42] Three days later, Mellis' medical was passed at Blackpool.[43]

Mellis made his Blackpool debut in the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 loss against Nottingham Forest.[44] However, Mellis suffered an injury during a match against Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup.[45] After a month out, Mellis made his first team return at Blackpool, in a 3–1 loss against Norwich City on 27 September 2014.[46] Once again, Mellis suffered an injury that kept him out for weeks.[47]

With his first team opportunities limited under manager Lee Clark, Mellis went on loan to League One side Oldham Athletic in January 2015.[48] Mellis made his Oldham Athletic debut, coming on as a substitute for Carl Winchester in the 72nd minute, in a 3–2 loss against Gillingham two days later.[49] After spending two months without being used in the first team, Mellis made his Oldham Athletic return, where he came on as a substitute for Joseph Mills in the 77th minute, in a 2–0 loss against Crawley Town on 6 April 2015.[50] Mellis went on to make seven appearances for the club.

At the end of the 2014–15 season, Mellis was released by Blackpool in May 2015.[51] After being released by Blackpool, Mellis was soon linked with a move to Fleetwood Town and Rochdale.[52]

Later career

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Mellis joined League One side Bury on 30 June 2015 on a two-year contract.[53] He made his debut in the opening game of the season on 8 August, coming on as a substitute for Tom Pope in the 55th minute, in a 1–1 draw away to Doncaster Rovers.[54] He scored his first goal for the Shakers on 3 September 2016 in a 4–1 win over Port Vale at Gigg Lane.[55]

On 19 May 2017, Mellis joined League Two club Mansfield Town.[56] In June 2019 he signed a new contract.[57] In August that year, he and teammate Dion Donohue were suspended by the club for "an alleged serious breach of club discipline".[58] Mellis was fined two weeks wages, whilst Donohue was released by the club.[59]

On 31 January 2020, Mellis moved to League One club Bolton Wanderers, signing a contract until the end of the season.[60] On 26 June it was announced he would be one of 14 senior players released when their contracts expired at the end of the month.[61]

Mellis signed a permanent contract at Gillingham on 10 August 2020, becoming their third signing of the summer.[62] He made ten appearances, and scored in a 3–1 home win over Oxford United on 10 October.[63]

On 1 February 2021, Mellis joined League Two side Southend United on a permanent contract until the end of the 2020–21 season, with an option for a further year.[64]

In February 2022, Mellis joined Leatherhead.[65]

On 5 June 2023, he revealed he had recently been forced to retire due to injury.[66]

International career

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Mellis has represented England at U16,[67] U17 and U19 level.

Personal life

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In April 2012, Mellis was arrested after a fight with his girlfriend at his Cobham, Surrey home. Both parties accepted police cautions for common assault.[68]

In January 2020, Mellis and former Mansfield Town teammate Dion Donohue appeared at Nottingham Crown Court, charged with assault, affray and grievous bodily harm alleged to have been committed in Mansfield the previous 16 August. Donohue pleaded guilty, and Mellis not guilty.[69] The case involving Mellis concluded in November 2020.[70]

He struggled with alcoholism during his career. After retiring, he became homeless.[66][71]

Career statistics

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As of match played 26 February 2022
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea 2009–10[72] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010–11[73] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2011–12[74] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chelsea Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Southampton (loan) 2009–10[72] League One 12 0 0 0 1 0 2[b] 0 15 0
Barnsley (loan) 2010–11[73] Championship 15 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 2
Barnsley 2012–13[75] Championship 36 6 3 0 2 0 0 0 41 6
2013–14[76] Championship 30 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 33 2
Barnsley Total 66 8 4 0 4 0 0 0 74 8
Blackpool 2014–15[77] Championship 13 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 0
Blackpool Total 13 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 0
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2014–15[77] League One 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Bury 2015–16[78] League One 23 0 2 0 2 0 1[b] 0 28 0
2016–17[79] League One 35 3 2 0 1 0 3[b] 0 41 3
Bury Total 58 3 4 0 3 0 4 0 69 3
Mansfield Town 2017–18[80] League Two 30 1 3 0 0 0 2[b] 0 35 1
2018–19[81] League Two 41 3 2 0 1 0 4[c] 1 48 4
2019–20[82] League Two 13 0 2 0 0 0 4[b] 0 19 0
Mansfield Town Total 84 4 7 0 1 0 10 1 102 5
Bolton Wanderers 2019–20[82] League One 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Gillingham 2020–21[83] League One 8 1 0 0 1 0 1[b] 0 10 1
Southend United 2020–21[83] League Two 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Leatherhead 2021–22[84] Isthmian League Premier Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Career total 274 18 15 0 11 0 18 1 318 19
Notes
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy & EFL League Two Play-offs.

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Mansfield Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 41. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Jason Mellis – Midfielder". Mansfield Town F.C. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  3. ^ Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan; Bull, David (2013). All the Saints: A Complete Players' Who's Who of Southampton FC. Southampton: Hagiology Publishing. p. 401. ISBN 978-0-9926-8640-6.
  4. ^ a b "Chelsea part company with Jacob Mellis over smoke grenade incident". The Guardian. London. 20 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Man City triumph in FA Youth Cup". BBC Sport. 16 April 2008.
  6. ^ "Chelsea player profile – Jacob Mellis". Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  7. ^ "Chelsea Starlet in on Loan". saintsfc.co.uk. 14 August 2009. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Huddersfield 3 – 1 Southampton". BBC Sport. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  9. ^ "Mellis back with Chelsea". Sky Sports. 30 December 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Chelsea 2 – 1 MSK Zilina". BBC Sport. 23 November 2010.
  11. ^ "Mellis loaned out". chelseafc.com. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Barnsley 2 – 0 Preston North End". BBC Sport. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Leicester 4 – 1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  14. ^ "Barnsley 1 – 1 Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  15. ^ "Burnley star Ings is staying put!". Burnley Express. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  16. ^ "QPR hand trial to axed Chelsea midfielder". Get West London. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  17. ^ "QPR want to extend Mellis trial". Sky Sports. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Barnsley sign former Chelsea youngster Jacob Mellis". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  19. ^ "Report: Rotherham United 2 Barnsley 1". Barnsley F.C. 21 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Rochdale 3 – 4 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  21. ^ "Barnsley 1 – 0 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  22. ^ "Barnsley 1 – 0 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  23. ^ "Blackburn Rovers 2 – 1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  24. ^ "Birmingham City 0 – 5 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Barnsley 1 – 2 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Hill: Anything is Possible". Barnsley F.C. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  27. ^ "Barnsley 2 – 0 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  28. ^ "Barnsley 2 – 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  29. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 2 – 1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  30. ^ "Barnsley 2 – 0 Hull City". BBC Sport. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  31. ^ "Goal of the Season Winner". Barnsley F.C. 23 May 2013. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Barnsley: Perkins rates O'Grady as top man so far". The Star. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  33. ^ "Flitcroft on Doncaster Match". Barnsley F.C. 8 November 2013. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  34. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion 1 – 2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Birmingham City 1 – 1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  36. ^ "Mellis Wants More After Great Free-Kick". Barnsley F.C. 2 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  37. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 1 – 0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  38. ^ "Reds v Millwall: Match Preview". Barnsley F.C. 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  39. ^ "Barnsley 1 – 0 Millwall". BBC Sport. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Barnsley FC Retained List". Barnsley F.C. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  41. ^ "Club Statement: Jacob Mellis". Barnsley F.C. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  42. ^ "Blackpool: Peter Clarke, Jacob Mellis and Tomasz Cywka sign". BBC Sport. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  43. ^ "New Signings Pass Medicals". Blackpool F.C. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  44. ^ "Nottingham Forest 2 – 0 Blackpooll". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  45. ^ "Injuries A Concern For Riga". Blackpool F.C. 15 August 2014. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  46. ^ "Blackpool 1 – 3 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  47. ^ "The Match: Rotherham United (A)". Blackpool F.C. 28 November 2014. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  48. ^ "Signing: Mellis Signs on Loan". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  49. ^ "Gillingham 3 – 2 Oldham Athletic". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  50. ^ "Crawley Town 2 – 0 Oldham Athletic". BBC Sport. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  51. ^ "Retained List Announced". Blackpool F.C.'s official website. 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 19 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  52. ^ "Rivals set for Mellis battle". Sky Sports. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  53. ^ "Jacob Mellis: Bury sign former Chelsea and Blackpool midfielder". BBC Sport. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  54. ^ "Doncaster Rovers 1 – 1 Bury". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  55. ^ "Bury 4–1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  56. ^ "Jacob Mellis: Mansfield sign former Bury midfielder on a free transfer". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  57. ^ "CJ Hamilton: Mansfield Town confirm interest in winger". BBC Sport. 25 June 2019.
  58. ^ "Mansfield Town: League Two side suspend Dion Donohue & Jacob Mellis". BBC Sport. 19 August 2019.
  59. ^ "Dion Donohue: Mansfield Town midfielder's contract terminated after disciplinary investigation". BBC Sport. 2 September 2019.
  60. ^ "Bolton sign Anthony Georgiou, Ryan Delaney and Jacob Mellis". BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  61. ^ theboltonnews "Bolton announce retained list with 14 players out of contract"
  62. ^ "Jacob Mellis joins the Gills". Gillingham Football Club. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  63. ^ Cadwell, Luke (10 October 2020). "Gillingham 3 Oxford United 1: Goals from Vadaine Oliver, Jacob Mellis and Jordan Graham win League 1 encounter". Kent Online. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  64. ^ "Blues sign Mellis from Gillingham". Southend United FC. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  65. ^ "Mellis Tanner – the Pitching in Isthmian Football League".
  66. ^ a b The Star: "Former Sheffield United wonderkid left homeless after remarkable post-Chelsea spiral"
  67. ^ "New hope for Tonge as Blades delay op decision". Sheffield Star. 28 September 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  68. ^ "Ex-Chelsea footballer Jacob Mellis cautioned for common assault". BBC News. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  69. ^ Seaward, Tom (17 January 2020). "Dion Donohue admits Mansfield affray and GBH". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  70. ^ "Jacob Mellis: Midfielder 'assured' Southend about criminal charges". BBC Sport. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  71. ^ Meade, Samuel (5 June 2023). "Ex-Chelsea and Prem wonderkid now homeless aged 32 amid battle with alcohol". mirror. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  72. ^ a b "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  73. ^ a b "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  74. ^ "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  75. ^ "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  76. ^ "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  77. ^ a b "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  78. ^ "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  79. ^ "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  80. ^ "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  81. ^ "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  82. ^ a b "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  83. ^ a b "Games played by Jacob Mellis in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  84. ^ Football Webpages: "Leatherhead – Appearances – Jacob Mellis – 2021-2022"
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