Once a Bear, Always a Bear - Alex Mellor

In the latest instalment of the series, we had the pleasure of catching up with Alex Mellor – a southpaw wicketkeeper-bat from Staffordshire who represented the Bears in 26 matches between 2016 and 2019 - to speak about his early cricketing memories in Leek, the highlights from his playing days at Warwickshire as well as his latest venture into the highly rewarding world of cricket coaching.

Here's what he had to say:

So Alex, seeing as it’s our go-to opening question here at The Bear, what are your earliest memories of cricket, either playing or watching the great game?

My earliest childhood memory would have been watching my dad play 1st XI cricket for Leek, which is our home club here in Staffordshire. There was an area of the ground where the players’ kids would go to play a bit of football or cricket or just have a general run around - you know, all the good stuff as a kid - and we were absolutely loving life. Then when dad would go for a lap of the ground, I’d join him for a walk around the boundary so, yeah, that’s where it all started really.

Based off that response, I think I might already know the answer to this next question, but who inspired you the most to continue playing cricket in those formative years?

Yeah, it would have to be my dad, Brian. He’s always been my biggest fan, he was incredibly supportive of me in those early years, and I’ve followed the same path as him when it comes to being a wicketkeeper-batter, so I’d definitely have to say it was him.

And why did you choose to follow in your dad’s footsteps and become a wicketkeeper in the first place?

It’s a funny story actually. As a kid, I used to do a bit of batting and bowling, but I was in a Staffordshire age-group side one of the days and with my dad being a well-known wicketkeeper in the area, he had a conversation with the coach and then told me to put some gloves on. Naturally, with dad being a ‘keeper, I’d always had a pair of gloves as a youngster but up until that point, I don’t think I’d ever used them in a game before. After that though, I just stuck with it, and I’ve absolutely loved it ever since.

What would you say is your favourite aspect of being a wicketkeeper?

Well, the gloves keep your hands warm and toasty at the start of the season so that’s always nice! But in all seriousness, I think it’s just the ability to pull off those ‘magic moments’ during a game. As a wicketkeeper, you can have such an impact with the little things like your body language and your presence, and then when you get the chance to take a diving catch or effect a leg side stumping, it gives you the opportunity to be a proper gamechanger for your team. I think it’s that ability to make something special happen in such a short space of time that makes it so enjoyable for me.

Before we talk about your journey with the Bears in more detail, which other cricket clubs have you represented over the years?

I started out at Leek, as we spoke about at the start, and if I hadn’t have made it to professional cricket, I probably would have been a one-club man at this point. When I first signed for Warwickshire though, I moved to Leamington CC and then went on to spend a couple of years at Walsall CC as well. Then when it comes to county cricket, I’ve played for my home county of Staffordshire in the National Counties comps and after trialling in 2nd XI cricket for a while, I got the chance to play for Warwickshire. I’ve also had the opportunity to go and play club cricket in Australia and South Africa in the past which was incredible.

Speaking of Warwickshire CCC, when did you first start playing for the Bears?

I think my first trial game for the Bears was against the Nottinghamshire 2’s at Lady Bay, and we had three wicketkeepers for that game, so I was carded as an opener from memory. The starting ‘keeper, Pete McKay, got injured and had to go off to the hospital so I had to take the gloves for the rest of the game, and it all snowballed from there really.

What would you say was the highlight from your time in a Warwickshire shirt?

Looking back, I had quite a few to be honest. My first official day as a Warwickshire player was on Finals Day so even though I didn’t play, just running the drinks on for the boys and being a part of that occasion was amazing.

Then there was the last-minute call up for the 2016 RLODC Semi-Final against Somerset which was really exciting. I was at my parent’s house at the time and got a phone call from the coaches saying that Amby [Tim Ambrose] had picked up an injury and that I was needed ASAP, so I had to say a quick goodbye to my parents, headed straight down the M6 and ended up keeping for the rest of the game. They put me in the matchday squad for the final at Lord’s too so that was incredibly special to be a part of those celebrations as well.

It’s days like that which you remember for the rest of your life, and the group of lads were just awesome to be around, so yeah, I really enjoyed my time as a Bear.

With the power of hindsight, how do you reflect on your time at Edgbaston?

I feel very privileged to have represented the club first and foremost. Walking into Edgbaston and seeing all of the titles that have been won over the years and thinking of the players who have worn that same shirt as you in the past makes you feel very proud, and so it should. My only wish would have been to stay there a bit longer and play some more games, but I think that’s the case with everyone involved in professional sport.

And since those of days of representing the Bears in a playing capacity Alex, what have you been getting up to during the past year or so?  

I’m still heavily involved in the game and do a lot of coaching at Warwickshire and Staffordshire nowadays. I set up my own coaching business, Alex Mellor Cricket Coaching, after the pandemic and started working with the Warwickshire Under-18’s and EPP at Edgbaston, as well as helping out with the wicketkeepers on both the Men’s and Women’s teams at the club too. I’m also the head coach for the Staffordshire Women’s team so I’m a pretty busy man at the minute!

I just love being a part of a players’ journey though and if I can help someone from the next generation live out their dream, like I did at Warwickshire, and give them some advice that puts them on the right path in the game, that’s an amazing thing to be a part of.

Sounds like you’re a very busy man indeed! Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of cricket which help you relax in your spare time when you’re not out there coaching?

I’m a dad to two boys under the age of three, so they get a lot of my attention when I’m at home and help me switch off a bit after work, even if they do use me as a climbing frame now and again!

As for my biggest hobby though, I think this’ll be a case for a lot of cricketers, but I absolutely love my golf. I’m also still big on my fitness, so I’d say golf and going to the gym are the two main hobbies outside of being a dad.

Are there any other interesting facts about you, cricket-related or otherwise, that people might not already know about?

Haha, well, I’m a European T10 Champion with the England XI if that counts? I think that’s probably the most random bit of trivia about me at the moment, but if anything else interesting pops up in the next few years I’ll let you know!

And finally Alex, it’s a rather profound question to round out our conversation, but what’s been the proudest accomplishment of your life to date?

Starting from a cricketing point of view, I’d have to say just living the dream as a professional cricketer for Warwickshire. Not many people get that kind of opportunity and to be a part of some of the trophy-winning squads there will always be an incredibly special achievement for me.

And as for wider life, I’d have to say that becoming a dad is my proudest achievement so far. It’s given me a very different perspective on life and when things might have been tough at work, or you’ve just had a bit of a rough day, the kids are always happy to see you come home, so it’s an amazing feeling really.