Player Profile
Another in a long line of Irishman to play for the Os – John Joseph (JJ) Melligan made 94 appearances and scored 10 goals for the Orient between 2007 and 2010.
A bustling right winger Melligan was an integral part of the team for 2 ½ seasons before a falling out with then manager Geraint Williams saw him move on to pastures new.
Where Have They Been?
JJ started his career with the Home Farm Club in Dublin, before catching the eye of English scouts and moving to Wolves in 1998 when aged only 16. He graduated through the youth ranks at Molineux but failed to make it into the first team for some time – finally making his debut from the bench in League 1 at the start of the 2003-04 season.
Prior to that Melligan had gained useful experience on loan, firstly at Bournemouth in an (ultimately unsuccessful) relegation battle in the 3rd tier in 2001-02 (where he made 9 appearances) and then, more successfully at Kidderminster Harriers in the 4th tier where he made 31 appearances and scored 12 goals during the 2002-03 season. His form there lead to his one and only international appearance when he came on as a substitute for Ireland under 21s.
Melligan then returned briefly to the Harriers on a short-term loan in October 2003 before moving to Doncaster Rovers for the rest of the 2003-04 season to bolster their promotion push. Whilst there he made 21 appearances (scoring 2 goals) and helped Donny to the Third Division title.
He attracted interest from a number of clubs but it was Cheltenham Town (then in League 2 with the Os) that secured his services on a 3 year contract for the princely transfer fee of £25,000! Linking up with John Ward (his former coach at Wolves) at Whaddon Road clearly suited Melligan and he went on to become a crucial part of the Robins side over the next three years – missing only 3 league games between 2004 and 2007. In 2005-06 Melligan helped Cheltenham to promotion through the play-offs – thereby joining Orient in League 1 the next year after the Os famously secured promotion in the final seconds against Oxford.
Melligan was again a consistent performer for the Robins in League 1 as they secured a mid-table 17th position and he was offered a new contract at the end of the season. However, Martin Ling wanted to bring him to Brisbane Road and on 6th June 2007, he signed a three-year deal with the Os.
In his first season at the Os Melligan made 38 appearances and scored 3 goals but also managed to get himself sent off against Carlisle at home in a 0-3 defeat. Ling was clearly disappointed with his performances and he was placed on the transfer list at the end of the season.
Whether this was a genius bit of man-management or no one fancied him is unclear but Melligan returned to Brisbane Road at the start of the next season and impressed enough that, in July, Ling stated that JJ had returned after the summer with “the bit between his teeth” as Orient started the season well.
The Os topped the table for a spell but then fell away dramatically – leading to Ling and assistant Dean Smith leaving the club in January 2009 with the team in the relegation zone. Under the guidance of new manager Geraint Williams the Os recovered to finish 14th, with Melligan making 37 appearances and scoring 5 goals.
The next season started well for Melligan and he scored twice in August – including one against the future England international Fraser Forster whilst the young goalkeeper was on loan at Bristol Rovers! But then things started to unravel for Melligan as the Os struggled in the league. He was sent off in a 4-0 defeat to Norwich after an X-rated tackle on Adam Drury and was in and out of the side after his return from suspension. His lack of playing time clearly got to him and in February he fell out with manager Williams after failing to get onto the pitch during a 5-0 home victory over Bristol Rovers.
That led to him being released by the club and returning home briefly to Ireland where he signed for Dundalk. Melligan made 15 appearances for the Lilywhites and scored 3 goals in his short spell for the club. However, Melligan had a clause inserted in his contract which allowed him to leave if an English league side came in for him and that is what his old club Cheltenham did in the summer of 2010. Melligan therefore left Dundalk just before they played in a Europa League qualifier and one wonders whether he has ever had cause to regret turning down the chance to play in Europe?
Nevertheless, JJ signed a one year deal with the Robins and made 29 appearances in League 2 that season. However, half of those were from the bench and he was released in May 2011. Melligan then spent a season with, then, Conference North side Solihull Moors, before dropping down the league ladder to join Wolverhampton Casuals in the West Midlands league. After one season there he followed his Manager Carol Abbott to newly formed, fan owned Hinkley AFC in the summer of 2014 and was made club captain.
Where Are They Now?
Hinkley was Melligan’s last club. I am sure many Os fans will remember JJ from his time at Brisbane Road – some doubtless with frustration! – but others may remember him more fondly for the goals, assists and graft that he brought to the team.
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