Matthew Le Tissier Posted 9 July, 2013 Share Posted 9 July, 2013 Chatted a few times lately to Mel, seems like a lovely bloke. He's was a bit before my time, anyone recal any memories or moments from mels playing days you care to share!!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 9 July, 2013 Share Posted 9 July, 2013 On seeing this thread I assumed he had just died. oops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 9 July, 2013 Share Posted 9 July, 2013 Yes he played in the Cup Final with a broken nose and won every header, no trouble! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 9 July, 2013 Share Posted 9 July, 2013 I remember his signing being announced over the tangy on the day I watched Saints play Pompey in a league game.It was ROn Davies return game to us in a Pompey shirt. He was not abused but applauded by the Saints fans.If I recall correctly we won 2-1 No segregation in those days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 9 July, 2013 Share Posted 9 July, 2013 Remember Blyth well, certainly turned our season and fortunes around over a couple of seasons. We had just been relegated, and were favourites to go back up. But..as often we were good going forward but a bit of a shambles in defence. Lawrie signed Mel Blyth (for £60,000) who helped organise the defence, and formed a good partnership with Jim Steele over the season 74/75, which of course was still in place 75/6. We had both Channon , and Osgood at Saints in Mel Blyth's first season but Blyth was voted Player of the Season (many said he ran away with it, but that was never revealed). He may even have been the first winner of the fans voted award. I had forgotten this bit but you've reminded me of the timing of the signing. I remember his signing being announced over the tangy on the day I watched Saints play Pompey in a league game.It was ROn Davies return game to us in a Pompey shirt. He was not abused but applauded by the Saints fans.If I recall correctly we won 2-1 No segregation in those days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 9 July, 2013 Share Posted 9 July, 2013 (edited) Chatted a few times lately to Mel, seems like a lovely bloke. He's was a bit before my time, anyone recal any memories or moments from mels playing days you care to share!!? WELL...the stats. will tell you that he was a central defender signed for £60K (at the age of 30) from Crystal Palace in 1974 and played 135 games scoring 7 goals). In actual fact, it was the first season after our relegation from Div.1. We'd had a "typically poor start" to the new season only 1 win in first 7 games, and were in the bottom three. McMenemy was reshaping his side and although the team looked impressive on paper with; Gilchrist, Channon, Osgood and Brian O'Neil up front, sadly we were trying a new CB pair almost every other week. Mel had spent six very good seasons at Palace, but after his arrival he was scarcely out of the side, although frequently changing his position at CB whilst LMcM. tried partnering him with a succession of the new faces from the youth squad; Paul Bennett, Manny Andruszewski, Malcolm Waldron, but it was his partnership with Jim Steele that really proved to be the best combination and they were the central pair who played in the 1976 FA Cup Final. Jim Steele was certainly " Steele by name and Steel by nature " and took no prisoners... whilst Mel was decisive and skilful and the pair worked well together (if the improved defensive record is anything to go by). By the Spring of the following season both Blyth and Steele had departed, and were temporarily replaced by Waldron and another youth product Forbes Phillipson-Masters McMenemy used to joke that he sounded like a defensive trio all on his own. After the dust settled; Chris Nicholl came on the scene and was often outstanding at CB for the following six years (later manager). Mel Blyth (as you suggested) not always remembered by everyone, but a good, reliable defender who DAJFU......when it was most needed, and IMHO deserved better credit for his contribution to the side than he got at the time. Edited 9 July, 2013 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 9 July, 2013 Share Posted 9 July, 2013 I think David in Sweden has probably given as good an account of Mel Blyth as you will find, certainly on here. The thing about changing the back four though , reminds me how we started the season with a young CB Bill Beaney, a local lad of whom there were high hopes. I think he made his one and only league appearance in the first game at home to Hull which ended 3-3. The Pompey game was a bit special,no segregation, mass punch ups at regular intervals between the Milton and under the West Stand. Big Ron got a tremendous ovation, but then scored a penalty for them.A Saints fan ran on the pitch to attack the referee*. Jim Steele was sent off, so suspended for the next match meaning Blyth did not have long to wait for his debut. *Got a flash back the ref might have been Clive Thomas, if so, bloody good job the attacker didn't make contact as he ref'd the Cup final vMan U. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le Tissier Posted 9 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 9 July, 2013 Great cheers ! I think bill Beaney also came on as sub v west ham or Chelsea I think!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenilworthy Posted 10 July, 2013 Share Posted 10 July, 2013 Mel Blyth came back to the Dell playing for Millwall. But not against Saints as we staged an FA Cup 2nd round game for a non league team - can't remember who though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 10 July, 2013 Share Posted 10 July, 2013 Mel Blyth came back to the Dell playing for Millwall. But not against Saints as we staged an FA Cup 2nd round game for a non league team - can't remember who though. Salisbury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jawillwill Posted 10 July, 2013 Share Posted 10 July, 2013 He's my least favourite Spice Girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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