Jimmy Melia

Playing career

Melia joined Liverpool from St. Anthony's School at age 15, signed professional forms on his 17th birthday in 1954, and made his debut on 17 December 1955 against Nottingham Forest, scoring his first goal in a 5–2 win. He became a regular the following season, starting 27 matches, then played 36 matches with 10 goals. In the First Division, he appeared 39 times as Liverpool finished eighth. Melia earned his England debut on 6 April 1963 against Scotland and scored his only international goal in an 8–1 win over Switzerland. His time at Wolves ended after manager Stan Cullis was replaced by Andy Beattie, who sold him to Southampton in December 1964 for £30,000.

Management career

Melia became player-coach at Aldershot in November 1968 and took over as manager in April 1969. He moved to Crewe Alexandra in February 1972, retiring as a player in May 1972 to manage full-time. After a stint in the United States as assistant with the Southern California Lazers and head coach of the Cleveland Cobras, he became Brighton & Hove Albion's chief scout. In December 1982, he was promoted to co-manager with George Aitken, then appointed permanently in March 1983 after reaching the FA Cup semi-final.

Brighton reached the 1983 FA Cup Final, drawing with Manchester United before losing the replay, but were relegated from the First Division that season. Melia resigned in October 1983, reportedly due to interference from coach Chris Cattlin. He later managed Portuguese side Belenenses, helping them gain promotion to the Primeira Liga, and then Stockport County in 1986. In 1989, he set up a youth academy in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and since 2008 has coached youth teams for Liverpool FC America in Texas.