Tom’s Major goal

tom mellor . . . the elder brother of Athletic midfielder David is trying to make a name for himself in the US.

TOM Mellor has taken the long path towards forging a career as a professional.

The elder brother of Athletic’s David and a left winger of pace and crossing ability, Shaw-born Mellor (21) is starring for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Pro competition in the United States.

“Over our careers we both have learned from and helped one another, but right now I’m the one who is learning from him,” admitted Tom, gearing up for a shot at New England Revolution tomorrow.

“I’m the proudest brother in the world right now for what he has achieved, but I will also be the first one to tell him that he is nowhere near his full potential . . . and I know he will be the same with me.”

Tom’s route to America was originally forged by way of a link between Athletic centre of excellence manager Mick Priest and the coaching staff at Notre Dame College.

Originally going over on a scholarship in 2009, the ex-Manchester United and Barnsley prospect joined up with another local lad and contemporary, Luke Holmes, formerly of Manchester City’s academy, after his home-country options became scarce.

The Mellor family had to make sacrifices. But Tom knuckled down to his football and progress over the next two years following the big move was such that he made it into the All-American line-up of 2010, also gaining the most assists in the country.

For now, a shot at Major League Soccer is Tom’s goal.

Harrisburg are a feeder club for MLS outfit Philadelphia Union. The chance usually presents itself at the end of the season, around August or September depending on play-off involvement, for a handful of promising players to train with Union, with a view to being taken on permanently.

Tom will get a taste of what the big league is all about sooner than that. Professional club Harrisburg — who attract crowds of up to 2,000 to their matches — made it through to the third round of the US Open Cup this week.

“Hopefully one day, I could resume my career in England and maybe play with David,” said Tom.

“I think it is any brother’s dream to play with one another professionally and I would also be closer to my family.

“But right now, my life is here in the US. I want to be the best I can be and make it to the top level here.”



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