Popular defender Jon Mellish signed a new three-year deal on Wednesday and we caught up with him this week to get his thoughts on his extended stay with the Blues.
“I’m delighted it’s sorted, it’s taken a little bit of time but I’m glad it’s all finally done," he said. "We’re heading into the pre-season games before we go into League One so it means I can just enjoy everything now knowing that I’ve got that bit of security.
"I just like being here and I want to just crack on now. All you want as a player is to know the gaffer has got belief in you. He wants me to be here and I want to be here too, so it’s good to just get it sorted so we can get on with it."
Always looking to push his own boundaries, he told us: “I definitely think there's still a lot of things I can work on and improve. I know I’m a bit rash at times but I think that’s part of my game.
"I know the things I need to work on and I can definitely do that. I’ve always enjoyed making those runs forward and the gaffer doesn’t want to take that away from me.
"He knows what he wants me to work on, but he likes that part of my game, he doesn’t know what I’m going to do and neither do I."
Having joined United back in the summer of 2019, he's now heading into his fifth season at Brunton Park: "2026 sounds really far away but I just really enjoy it here.
"I think I’m going into my fifth season here now and it’s flown by already. I’m sure that will be the same for the next three years as well because I really enjoy being here. It was a no-brainer to extend it.
“I think I’ve been through pretty much everything during my time here. I’ve played in pretty much every position on the pitch and we’ve finished in different positions in the table before obviously getting promoted last year. We’ll see what happens in the next three years."
“Playing in different positions has added a lot to my game," he continued. "It means you see different parts of the game and find different ways of playing, which I think has definitely helped me when I’ve came back into defence.
"I like to go forward and I’ve learned a lot from playing further forward which I think helps me when I do it now.
“I think I’d quite like another go at striker again to be honest! In all seriousness, left of the back three is the position I enjoy the most and I think that’s where I’m best.
"Like I said though, I think there’s still a lot more to come from me, especially on the ball and concentration wise. I really enjoy playing there."
One of the most laid-back people you could ever hope to meet, he still receives high praise from just about everybody he plays with or for.
“I do just take everything in my stride, but I’m not really sure where that comes from," he admitted. "I’ve had a few managers but they all seem to pick me. I think the way I play helps because I like to work hard and they know I’ll give everything.
“To know the gaffer and Gav and all of the staff have the belief in me helps me to go out onto the pitch with a bit of freedom and play how I want to. I know what the gaffer wants from me and I think we have a good understanding. I just enjoy playing every game."
His contract agreement made him the latest player to commit to a longer-term stay at Brunton Park.
“I think it’s a really good thing that we’re getting more lads who are staying here for longer and signing new deals," he commented. "During the first couple of years I was here there was a lot of chopping and changing and I think you could tell.
"We’ve had a consistent group of lads for the last couple of years and I think that’s why we’ve been promoted. We’re getting a really good group who all care about the club, which is a really good thing."
As pre-season continues, he admitted he enjoys the running side of things: "My fitness does come naturally and it’s been like that from a young age. I’ve always loved running and cross country and things like that so I don’t really mind it during pre-season. It’s still been hard but I just enjoy it.
"There was one run the other day where the gaffer had a bit of a dig as I ran past him so I just took off.
"I always feel like it’s a bit like a game where I’m a bit slow at the start then really come into it towards the end. I like to finish games strong and I finished the run the other day quite strongly too!"
“I still don’t think the fact we’re going into League One next year has sunk in," he continued. "It still feels a bit mental.
"When I was 18, I was at college and I thought football wasn’t really a serious option for me any more, so to be going into a season in League One is something I thought would never happen.
"I’m just going to enjoy every minute, work hard and take it as it comes. There are some big teams for us to look forward to playing. It will be nice to test ourselves against some of the teams who are in there and I don’t think there’s any reason we can’t do well and win games.
“I think everyone is looking forward to getting the friendlies started and get back to playing football again now. It starts at Annan so it will be a good chance to see where we’re at then kick on from there."
We ended the interview with the amazing reaction from the fans to the news that he'd put his scribble on that important piece of paper.
“I’ve seen all the comments on social media from the fans and it’s always nice to see that they’re happy I’m staying, and that they like how I play," he said.
"I haven’t seen what my mam has said so I’m not going to say anything about what she posts on Twitter!
"They’re all just proud of me and they love coming to every game to support me and the rest of the lads as well."
