MICKY GRABS ANOTHER SEAT IN THE VIP BOX

Mellon clan look on from the Wembley posh seats as veteran gaffer takes his Oldham side back to the EFL and seals his ninth Very Important Promotion

- BY FRASER WILSON

IT'S a little square of north London normally reserved for aristocracy, global heads of state and worldwide celebrities to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

For a few hours last Sunday, the Royal Box at Wembley was packed with Mellons. Of the Scottish variety.

Micky Mellon did that.

The VIPs in his life - mum Margaret, wife Jane, sister Lisa, his kids Jordan, Jacob, Evie and Michael, even his Uncle Martin and cousin Junior were all down from Scotland and in the posh seats at the home of English football.

There to get the best view in the house of Mellon securing a NINTH promotion in a career spent for all but one year south of the border.

The 53-year-old has guided Oldham Athletic back into the EFL thanks to that dramatic 3-2 play-off final victory over Southend United.

He'd have loved for his late dad Michael to have joined in with the celebrations but knows he'd have been watching down as another season ended on a high.

This is nothing new to Mellon. Far from it. He has now steered every club he has managed to promotion at least once - other than Dundee United who were already in the top flight for his single year at Tannadice.

He cut his managerial teeth guiding Fleetwood Town into the big time off the back of two promotions from the Conference North and Conference Premier in 2010 and 2012.

Three years later he took Shrewsbury Town into League One via automatic promotion.

He led Tranmere from the Conference Premier to League One following back-to-back promotions in 2018 and 2019, both via Wembley play-off finals.

It's becoming a bit of a habit. And a good one at that.