Everyone at the club has been deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former striker Ian Mellor, aged 74.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Spider’ by the Albion faithful due to his long legs, Ian started his career at Manchester City, where he made 40 First Division appearances, before joining Norwich City in 1973.
He scored nine goals in 43 appearances for the Canaries before Brian Clough and Peter Taylor paid a club-record £40,000 to bring him to the Goldstone Ground in May 1974.
My Dad 💔My Hero
— Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) May 1, 2024
I love you 💔 Thank you for everything
19/02/1950💔01/05/2024
We are all absolutely devastated to have lost my Dad.
Big thanks to St Ann’s Hospice and all their brilliant staff who helped during those last days as he battled so hard against amyloidosis 🙏♥️ pic.twitter.com/uxPDT6kp9E
Ian went on to net the winner against Crystal Palace on his Albion league debut but struggled to settle at the club – until a six-goal burst in 11 games during the 1975/76 season saw him re-established in the first team.
The following campaign he was paired with Peter Ward in attack and the new strike force took the Albion to promotion from the Third Division – ‘Spider’ netting 15 goals in all competitions.
Now firmly established as a crowd favourite, Ian started the 1977/78 campaign in the No.9 shirt, but with new record signing Teddy Maybank having arrived at the Goldstone, he was sold to Chester City later that season.
He left having scored a highly respectable 35 goals in 150 appearances and went on to play for Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City before calling time on his professional career in 1984.
We extend our sincere condolences to son Neil and all of Ian’s family and friends at this particularly sad time.