In Profile... Will Mellors-Blair of Stamford AFC

Name: Will Mellors-Blair

Position: Forward (7,9,10,11)

Current Club: Stamford

 

Previous clubs: Manchester United, Walsall, Solihull Moors, King’s Lynn, Carlton Town, Coalville Town, Detroit City

 

Team supported growing up? Manchester United.

Childhood hero? My Mum, she sacrificed everything to ensure I had what I needed. She took me all other the world to play football and she allowed me to express my uniqueness at all times. She was my biggest supporter in life and gave the motivation to be the very best at everything that I did.

Biggest influence? Myself. I’ve always been driven by thoughts of success. In football, in business and in life. Since the age of 5, I have looked at myself as the main influence in my life. I have learned from many mentors and I have taken golden nuggets of advice and used it to design my own unique life manifesto and mindset.

Favourite current player? Garnacho. He plays with no fear. Age is nothing but a number and if you are good enough, you should play. Every young forward should look at Garnacho’s playing style and learn from it.

Best ground you’ve played at? MK Dons Stadium – Stadium MK  

Best friend in football? Aaron Jones - Kings Lynn Full Back. I played with Aaron in America and at King’s Lynn and I know his family as well.

Best player you’ve played against & why? Nathan Redmond. Not only was he quick, agile and dynamic, his final ball and end product was sublime.

Footballing Night out You & 4 others. Who’s getting an invite? Isaac Currie, Aaron Jones, James Wren & Joey Butlin

Your All time 5 a side team of players you have played with? 

1 Keeper: - James Belshaw – Unreal reactions and distribution

1 Defender: - Joel Kettle – Distribution is absolutely pristine  

2 Midfielders: - Ravel Morrison & Jack Cresswell – Best midfielders I’ve played with growing up. Could keep the ball for days.

1 Striker – Jamie Paterson – Goals and creativity guaranteed.

Best moment of your career? When I became the MVP and all-time leading scorer for Detroit City FC that lead us to the first playoffs in club history.

Go to initiation song? Jack Johnson – Better together  

Pre match meal? Plant-based protein source + complex carbohydrates + veggies with anti-oxidant properties + healthy fat source.

Example: Seasoned chickpeas with brown rice and broccoli with spinach, peppers, tomatoes, asparagus, onions, beans, peas & avocado.

Messi or Ronaldo? Messi.

What was your experience like in America. Firstly, in the college system with Michigan? America opened my eyes to the rise of technology in athletic performance. Even at The University of Michigan, I was exposed to technologies that were at a Premier League standard. College sports are like professional sports, training full time, mindset coaches, nutritionists, analysts, etc. So, it prepared me for a professional routine when I came back.

And how does football in America compare to what we experience in the English football pyramid? After playing in both systems, I would say that the USL (United Soccer League) is essentially the equivalent to Step 3 - Vanarama National League North/South level. I would then say the MLS (Major League Soccer) is the equivalent of League 2 - Championship. Some teams are really really good.

Thank you Will for taking time to answer the questions above and best of luck for the rest of your season 

If you’re a player reading this and would like to be profiled. Please just drop me a message as I would love to feature you. 

Until the next one

Peace 

Luke @PL2NL