Mellish: My debt of gratitude to Carlisle United
Jon Mellish has paid a heartfelt tribute to Carlisle United and said: I owe the club everything.
The defender has been speaking about his move to Wigan Athletic, which ends a five-and-a-half year spell at Brunton Park.
Mellish, 27, gave his first club interview at Wigan where he spoke of his excitement at the deal - and his debt to Carlisle.
He was at United from 2019, when he joined from Gateshead, and made 246 appearances, scoring 32 goals.
"While I'm delighted to be here and I wanted to get it done, I'm sad to be leaving Carlisle," Mellish said.
"It's a bit bittersweet. I've spent pretty much my career there. It's kind of made us.
"I went as a boy and hopefully leave as a man, I've matured and I'm nothing but thankful to that club because they've given me everything, my family everything.
"It was a tough decision but it was the right one."
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Mellish also admitted he was aware of Wigan's interest last summer when the Latics reportedly had a bid turned down by Carlisle.
"When it came around again there was no hesitation and I wanted to be here straight away," he added.
The versatile player hopes his experience of League One during Carlisle's 2023/24 relegation season will help equip him to succeed at Wigan.
"I got a taste of League One last year, as a club it didn't go to plan but personally I thought I coped with it really well and learned a lot- probably more than when I got promoted," Mellish said.
"I hope I can use those experiences to help the lads."
Mellish's debut for the Latics could come next Saturday in a League One trip to Stevenage. Wigan are in action on Tuesday night in the FA Cup at Mansfield Town, but the defender is ineligible having already played for the Cumbrians in this season's competition...against Wigan.
