RIP RICHARD MELLOR
London Pompey members from the early 70s will be saddened to hear of Richard Mellors sudden passing on Christmas Eve. He collapsed while out walking near his home in Colliers Wood and never regained consciousness following his admission to nearby St GeorgeÕs Hospital in Tooting.
Richard was a life-long Pompey fan from Winchester and, encouraged by his Portsmouth-supporting father before him, travelled as an 11-year-old to see Pompey play Manchester United at Old Trafford in 1957. He moved to London in 1970, continuing his work in local government, and joined the London Section, serving as Membership Secretary on a committee that included founding father Phil Patrick, his son Phil "Junior", Peter Cheeseman, Barry Macey, Brian Smith,Terry Sanford, Mike Elliott and Ian Vosper.
Richard began his association with the London Section as a committee member and, in 1971, became Membership Secretary at the same time as Terry Sanford relinquished his position as Secretary to become Travel Officer.
The pair of them were famous for making long midweek away trips and Richard would join Terry either in his battered, barely road legal mustard (a trendy colour in 1970/71!) Mini, or more sensibly, on the train. He would work his lunch-hours for a week afterwards to make up for the hours lost.
He was definitely present amongst a crowd of 6,230 at Preston North End on a snowy Saturday afternoon in February, 1973. It was a memorable occasion for several reasons. Pompey won 5-0 (a rarity in those days), centre-half Alan Stephenson bought Richard a pint in the players lounge afterwards, and North End manager Alan Ball (senior) was given the sack on the Monday morning.
Richard is far right on both photos, joined by his friends:
Large photo (left to right): Tim Marchant, Terry Sanford, Ian Vosper,
Paul Young (Richard's Godson), Doug Blandford..jpg)
Below (left to right): Terry Sanford, Tim Marchant,
Roger Simmonds, Doug Blandford, Paul Young (Richard's Godson)
.jpg)
During this period of distinct early seventies mediocrity for his footballing favourites, Richard brightened his Sunday mornings by playing for the London Branch football team, which included current Pompey secretary Paul Weld.
He remained a keen supporter of the Football Club throughout the 39 years he was resident in the capital, although latterly his appearances became sporadic.
The reason being that Richard, a single man until his early sixties, married Jessica in March, 2008.
Sadly, he enjoyed only 22 months of married life, but he does leave a lifetime of fond memories for those who knew him.