Mellon: We need to do town proud

Micky Mellon says Barnsley’s players need to do the town proud as they aim to pull off one of the biggest cup shocks in the club’s history tomorrow.

Assistant manager Mellon was drafted in by David Flitcroft after Keith Hill was sacked. Mellon had previously led Fleetwood Town to the Football League and was controversially sacked in December despite the team being seventh in League Two.Mellon admitted it was odd to think he would be in the dugout at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow lining up against Manchester City.

He said: “I guess it’s strange how it’s all worked out. I wouldn’t have thought I’d be competing against Manchester City but we’ve got to go there and enjoy it. Ties like this don’t come around all the time.

“The older you get the more you appreciate games like this. We’ve got to go and do it for the people of Barnsley. We’ve got to give our all for them. We’re trying our best for them and hopefully they’ll see that.”

Mellon, 40, met Flitcroft on a coaching course a few years ago and the pair have remained close friends since.

He said: “I know David very well and have an understanding of how he ticks. Along with Martin Scott, we are a great team who work well together. I wanted to be involved in football and do my best. My role at the minute is working for Barnsley and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

“I played all my career in the Championship. Of course the standard is higher than the lower leagues and the facilities are better. But football is football. I’m enjoying it and want to help Barnsley get out out of the bottom three and win this mini-league that we’re in.”

Mellon has backed the Reds to surprise Manchester City. He said:“We’ve got to go and give a good account of ourselves. We’ll have lots of fans there and will go there prepared to win.”