December 14, 1955
Eighteen-years-old Jimmy Melia, one of the most promising young inside forwards Liverpool have had on their books for some years, will make his debut in the Anfielder’s senior side on Saturday.
Melia, who has been earning high praise with his performances this season in the Central League XI takes the place of Alan Arnell. This is the only change in the team for the home game with Nottingham Forest.
Although Liverpool have felt for some time that Melia was ripe for senior duty, they did not desire to hurry his development unduly. Now he gets his big chance, and those who see him regularly in the reserve string are confident that he will make good.
A former England and Liverpool schoolboy player. Melia has also been capped by England in Youth internationals.
He joined Liverpool’s ground staff on leaving school at the age of 15, and signed professional forms in November of last year, upon attaining the age of 17.
His debut in the Central League side took place on August 28 last year, and he made 23 reserve team appearances that season. Twelve of the were at outside left, three at outside right and the remainder at inside right.
Great expectations
This season he has figured in 13 reserve matches, all at inside right, and scored six goals.
A two-footed player with a strong shot, excellent ball control, and a good positional sense, Melia is a player of whom Liverpool have great expectations, though too much should not be expected of him at the start.
It is rather a nerve-wracking experience for any lad of that age to come into Second Division football, and, natural-born player though he is, he may need a little time to settle down and give of his best. He is 5ft. 8in. and 10st. 0½lb.
The team read:
Liverpool: Dave Underwood, John Molyneux, Ronnie Moran, Roy Saunders, Laurie Hughes, Geoff Twentyman, Jimmy Payne, Jimmy Melia, Billy Liddell, John Evans, Alan A’Court.
Reserve team
Liverpool Reserves, still going strong in the Central League – they have suffered only three defeats in 21 games – hope to add another away victory to the five already on their list when they visit Huddersfield Town.
For this game Alex South is being rested in order to give Burkinshaw an outing at left half.
Team: Doug Rudham, Tom McNulty, Gerry Byrne, Barry Wilkinson, Dick White, Keith Burkinshaw, Eric Anderson, Tony Rowley, Louis Bimpson, Joe Dickson, Les Robson.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: December 14, 1955; via http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) © 2018 Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
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