In memoriam: Mel Blyth

Scunthorpe United is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Mel Blyth, at the age of 79.

In a career stretching from 1967 to 1982, he began his career in the Third Division with Scunthorpe, where he would remain for one season, makig 27 appearances and scoring three goals from a defensive position.

Norwich-born Blyth was recruited by Palace manager Bert Head in the summer of 1968, and he'd remain with the Eagles for six seasons, racking up 216 appearances, scoring six goals.

In his first season with Crystal Palace, he was a key part of their promotion to the First Division for the first time in the club's history, before scoring their first-ever goal at that level in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United.

His next move would be to Southampton in September 1974, winning the Saints’ Player of the Year in his maiden season and an FA Cup winner’s medal a year later, before a brief return to Selhurst Park on loan, propelling him to 37th in the all-time appearance list for the club.

The FA Cup triumph saw him part of one of the biggest shocks in the competition's history, beating Manchester United 1-0.

He concluded his career with spells at Cape Town City, Margate, Millwall, Houston Hurricane, Bulova SA and non-league Andover, with his occupations post-career saw him become a driving instructor, a company director in construction, before returning to Palace as a schoolboy coach.

Scunthorpe United's thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.