Chris Melling (rugby league)

Last updated

Chris Melling
Chris Melling Bradford Bulls.jpg
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Melling
Born (1984-09-21) 21 September 1984 (age 40)
Ashton-in-Makerfield, England
Playing information
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight14 st 7 lb (92 kg) [1]
Position Wing, Fullback, Second-row, Loose forward
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2004–06 Wigan Warriors 13317046
2007–13 Harlequins RL 16343100192
Total17646270238
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2007 Great Britain 10000
Source: [2] [3]

Christopher Melling (born 21 September 1984) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for England (Under-16s, and Under-18s), and as a fullback for Great Britain, and at club level for Ashton Bears ARLFC (Under-15), Hindley ARLFC (16+), and in the Super League for the Wigan Warriors and Harlequins RL (renamed as the London Broncos in 2012), as a fullback , wing , second-row or loose forward, consequently he was considered a utility player.

Contents

Early life

Melling was born in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester, England. He was a pupil at Byrchall High School.

Melling was a youth level international for England, touring Australia and New Zealand with England Under 16s in 2001 and also representing England's U18 Academy. [4] [5]

Playing career

Wigan Warriors

Melling is a former Wigan Senior Academy captain who made several appearance for the Wigan first team.

In 2004's Super League IX it had seemed that Melling's career was in doubt following a serious knee injury suffered playing for Wigan against Leeds at Headingley. [6] Melling had been seen as a future star before having his season ended by a cruciate ligament injury. [7]

Upon his return to first team action in 2005's Super League X Chris made a further 10 first-grade appearances for the Wigan Warriors before picking up another knee injury requiring further surgery. [8]

Melling returned to full fitness in 2006, but found first team opportunities limited, due to the emergence of Chris Ashton at the club. [9] Chris Melling moved to hooker in Wigan's academy, impressing enough to be voted as the Under-21s Academy 'Player of the Year' for 2006. [10]

He left Wigan to pursue regular first team rugby league.

Harlequins RL

Melling in action for Harlequins RL Chris Melling Quins.JPG
Melling in action for Harlequins RL

Melling was initially signed as a back-up hooker to Chad Randall, [11] however the Great Britain international made the fullback position his own. He has been compared to Wade McKinnon with the youngster being defensively solid and dependable, with an eye for a gap bringing the ball out in attack. [12] His move to Harlequins was to have seen the youngster undergo a positional change with a move to hooker. [13] He had been previously employed throughout the backline, with most of his first team appearances coming as an outside back.

Melling impressed in 2007, [14] starting games at fullback and throughout the backline and scoring four tries. In May 2007 Melling agreed to a new two-year deal with Harlequins Rugby League, midway through his first season at the Twickenham Stoop. [15] This will keep Melling in the capital until 2009. [16] He is seen as the emerging star at the Harlequins, with Harlequins RL investing in young British talent. [17]

Representative football

In June 2007 Melling was called up to the Great Britain squad, [3] [18] [19] [20] and was fullback in the Test match against France. [21] He was joined in the Great Britain Test side by Harlequins teammate Paul Sykes. [22] Melling made his Great Britain début in the 42-14 victory over the French on 22 June 2007, despite carrying an injury. [23] [24] [25]

Physiotherapy career

Melling became a qualified physiotherapist after studying at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, [26] graduating in June 2006. [27] He hoped to set up his own physiotherapy practise in the future. [27]

After retiring as a player in 2013, Melling joined Warrington Wolves as a rehab specialist and academy physiotherapist, [28] and later worked as a physio at Oldham and Halifax. [29] [30] Melling became head physio at Leigh Leopards in December 2022.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Broncos</span> English professional rugby league club

The London Broncos are a professional rugby league club based in Wimbledon, England. They play their home games at Plough Lane and compete in the Championship, the second tier of British rugby league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Paul</span> New Zealand international rugby league and England international rugby union footballer

Henry Rangi Paul is a rugby union coach and former rugby league and rugby union player. A dual-code international, Paul won 24 caps for New Zealand in rugby league and 6 for England in rugby union, as well as rugby sevens. Paul played as a loose forward, stand-off, fullback, and occasionally as a hooker, and as a centre and fly-half in rugby union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent Webb</span> NZ international rugby league footballer

Brent Douglas Webb is a former New Zealand international rugby league footballer who played as a fullback. He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, before moving the Leeds Rhinos and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Calderwood</span> England international rugby league footballer

Mark Calderwood is an English former professional rugby league footballer. An England international representative winger, he has played in the Super League for the Leeds Rhinos,, the Wigan Warriors, Hull FC and Harlequins RL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Mathers</span> Former England international rugby league footballer

Richard 'Richie' Mathers is an English former professional rugby league footballer. An England international representative fullback, he started his professional career at the Leeds Rhinos, with whom he won the 2004 Championship. He played as a fullback for a number of clubs throughout his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Purdham</span> Former England international rugby league footballer

Rob Purdham is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. An England international representative loose forward, he previously played for Whitehaven and London Broncos/Harlequins. Purdham also operated as a centre, stand-off or second-row. Purdham is a former captain of the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Worrincy</span> English rugby league footballer

Michael "Mikey" Worrincy also known by the nickname of "Black Pearl", is an English rugby league player for the London Skolars in the Kingstone Press Championship 1. He has previously played for the Harlequins RL, the Leigh and the Bradford Bulls in the Super League, and with the Penrith Panthers in the NRL. He is the younger brother of Halifax, and Wales international Rob Worrincy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karl Pryce</span> English rugby footballer

Karl Pryce, also known by the nicknames of "Big Karl", and "Hightower", is an English former professional rugby league footballer, best known for playing for the Bradford Bulls. His usual position was on the wing. Pryce previously played rugby league with Wigan and Harlequins RL. He also played rugby union with Gloucester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark McLinden</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Mark McLinden is an Australian former professional rugby footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played rugby league in the NRL for Australian club, the Canberra Raiders and in the Super League for English club the London Broncos/Harlequins RL, which he also captained. A Country New South Wales representative backline player, McLinden finished his career in 2009 with a few rugby union games for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Sykes (rugby league)</span> Former GB & England international rugby league footballer

Paul Sykes is an English Professional Rugby League player who plays as a stand-off for Dewsbury Rams in the Betfred League 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Clubb</span> England international rugby league footballer

Tony Clubb is a former English professional rugby league footballer who played as a prop for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League and has played for England at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Howell (rugby league)</span> Australian rugby league footballer

David Howell is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Harlequins RL in the Super League. He primarily plays as a centre, and can also operate as a winger. Howell previously played for the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League.

Joseph Paul Lydon is an English former professional rugby league footballer and rugby union coach. He played during the 1980s and 1990s as a fullback, wing, centre, or stand-off for Widnes, Wigan and Eastern Suburbs. He also represented Lancashire, and won 30 caps for Great Britain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook</span> Ireland & England international rugby league footballer

Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook is a former rugby league footballer who last played as a prop, second-row or loose forward for St Helens in the Betfred Super League. He has played for both England and Ireland at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Sharp</span> Nigerian rugby league footballer

William Sharp is a Nigerian rugby league footballer who played as a centre, fullback or on the wing for the York City Knights in the Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Tomkins</span> England international rugby league footballer

Sam Tomkins is a professional rugby league analyst for Sky Sports and professional player, after coming out of retirement to finish the 2024 season with Catalans Dragons in the Super League, following the end of 2023 season. On 4 September 2024, He was announced as the new Team Manager of the England national rugby league team, working behind the scenes for coach Shaun Wane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Riley (rugby league)</span> English rugby league footballer

Chris Riley is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for the England Knights, and at club level for Woolston Rovers ARLFC, Warrington Wolves, Harlequins RL (loan), Swinton Lions (loan), Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and the Rochdale Hornets, as a fullback or winger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Ainscough</span> English rugby league footballer

Shaun Ainscough is a former English professional rugby league footballer who last played as a winger for the Rochdale Hornets in the Championship.

Frano Michael Botica is a New Zealand-Croatian rugby union and rugby league coach and former player in both codes, who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He is the head coach of the Philippines sevens team.

The 2006 Harlequins Rugby League season was the twenty-seventh in the club's history, their eleventh season in the Super League and the first as the rebranded Harlequins Rugby League. The club was coached by Tony Rea, competing in Super League XI, finishing in 7th place. The club also got to the quarter-finals round of the Challenge Cup.

References

  1. ↑ "Harlequins Rugby League". web page. Harlequins Rugby League. 2011. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  2. ↑ "Player Summary: Chris Melling". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Chris Melling". Quins. Retrieved 19 April 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Langley Leads GB to Victory". Bradford. 9 December 2002. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  6. ↑ "Leeds 36-24 Wigan". BBC. 19 March 2004. Retrieved 29 May 2007.
  7. ↑ "Wigan duo agree fresh deals". BBC. 25 August 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  8. ↑ "Chris Melling". Quins. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  9. ↑ Hadfield, Dave (8 June 2007). "Melling ready to make Wigan pay again for mistake". London: Independent. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  10. ↑ "League Playing squad 2006/2007". Quins. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  11. ↑ "Harlequins swoop for British trio". BBC. 21 September 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  12. ↑ "Sykes and Melling make the GB squad". Quins. 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  13. ↑ "Quins land young British trio". Quins RL. 21 September 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  14. ↑ Gordos, Phil (15 June 2007). "Melling call-up a sign of the times". BBC. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
  15. ↑ "New deal for Melling". Quins.co.uk. 29 May 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2007.
  16. ↑ Lester, Joanna: "Joanna Lester chats to two stars who are particularly familiar with today's opposition…", game on!, Harlequins RL v Wigan Warriors, p41, 2 June 2007
  17. ↑ "Club-by-club guide: Harlequins". Sportinglife. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  18. ↑ "Eight new faces in Lions squad". BBC. 12 June 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
  19. ↑ "Melling and Sykes named in GB squad". Quins RL. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  20. ↑ "What our GB player has to say". Quins RL. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  21. ↑ "New-look GB select five new caps". BBC. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  22. ↑ "Melling and Sykes to play at Headingley". Quins. 20 June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  23. ↑ "Great Britain 42-14 France". BBC. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2007.
  24. ↑ "Hungry Lions Please Smith". SportingLife. 22 June 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  25. ↑ Wilson, Andy (23 June 2007). "Morley finally gets on scoresheet as Smith's new-look turn up trumps". London: Guardian. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
  26. ↑ "Wigan Player Profile". Wigan. 22 July 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  27. 1 2 Lester, Joanna: "Joanna Lester chats to full back and budding physiotherapist Chris Melling", game on!, Harlequins RL v Wakefield, p41, 14 April 2007
  28. ↑ "Warrington Wolves make youth appointments, Ben Lazenby is promoted and Gary Chambers returns". Warrington Guardian. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  29. ↑ "Getting to know you, getting to know all about you". Oldham RLFC. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  30. ↑ "Halifax Panthers overhaul backroom staff with Finn and Grix appointments". Halifax Courier. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.