Carlisle United are delighted to announce that midfielder Jon Mellish has signed a new two-year deal (with a further 12-month option) which keeps him at the club until at least the summer of 2023.
Mellish, 24 last week, initially joined the club as a defender on a one-year contract midway through May 2019.
Having been converted to a midfield role by manager Chris Beech, he showed a natural affinity and was quickly offered new terms, which extended his stay at Brunton Park until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
He made 49 appearances for the Blues during the 2020/21 season, scoring an impressive 16 goals from his new attacking midfield berth.
Manager Chris Beech said: “I’m really pleased for both Jon and the club. There are two positives in this for me - firstly Jon gets recognition, security and ultimately reward for the progress he’s making and has made in such a short space of time as a football player.
“Secondly, the club, driven by David (Holdsworth) are keen to support and ultimately encourage progression and reward success.
“If I was a young player again (and sometimes I wish I was) this is a huge statement to me to say that if I go out, train hard, work hard and perform, not only will it be acknowledged, it will be rewarded.
“Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubts there are parameters that David has to work within from a finance perspective, but I know personally he’s really keen and supportive to acknowledge progression and reward it, which is a good thing.
“Many a club in our division, and the one above, would wait until the end of the contract before having discussions, irrespective of a player’s performances.”
“On Jon personally, he’s coming along, isn’t he,” he added. “If you look at his body shape from when he was first with the club to where it is now, it’s better.
“Jon still covers more blades of grass than anyone else on a match day and he’s adding more to his game – there are still areas to improve on, he knows that, but I think another season on from now he’ll step it on again as a player, so I’m delighted he’s with us and that he’s been rewarded for his hard work.”
Mellish, a Gateshead College graduate, came through the under-19 system with the Heed and also enjoyed a loan spell with Newcastle Benfield as he cut his teeth in the game.
The left-footer, who can play a number of positions, made his first-team debut in the final game of the 2016/17 National League season and was subsequently offered a full contract with the club.
He made a total of 58 appearances for his hometown team, scoring twice, and made his debut for the England C squad in a 1-0 victory over the Estonia under-23 side in October 2018.
He picked up the National League’s young player of the year award for the 2018/19 season at a ceremony in London two days before joining the Cumbrians.
Jon is sponsored by Bob Hope.
