Fleetwood Town fan maintains a busy life in lockdown

Simon Mellor and son Jack pictured earlier this year with Kyle Dempsey and Lewie Coyle

That’s certainly the case with Staff Sergeant (Artificer Weapons) Simon Mellor of the British Army, back home in Cleveleys after a four-month operational tour in Estonia with A Squadron of The Queen’s Royal Hussars.

He was on leave when he featured in these pages in January, making presentations to two Fleetwood players ahead of their League One fixture against Shrewsbury Town.

As members of the Fleetwood Town Official Supporters’ Club, Simon and son Jack presented FTOSC’s player of the month (for December) award to Kyle Dempsey, while also honouring Lewie Coyle on his 100th EFL appearance.

Simon has since completed his duties in Estonia, and before the coronavirus lockdown, had taken temporary command of a different squadron’s team of REME tradesmen ahead of their deployment in Canada.

A member of the REME Association volunteers ready to help local ex-servicemen during the crisis, Simon is among the many Fleetwood fans looking forward to football’s return.

He said: “I’m now back in command of my team of 14 tradesmen within A Squadron Fitter Section under instruction to work remotely.

“Needing to keep soldiers busy is difficult at best but in these uncertain times we have found apps like Zoom and Strava provide platforms to keep us together as a team and to keep fit in our home locations, following social distancing guidelines of course.

“I have enrolled on a pile of online learning courses to enrich the mind as I start to look towards which career direction I will take on retirement from the Armed Forces in six years’ time.

“I am also brushing up on my German, the laws of cricket – in the hope I get to umpire some cricket this season – and enjoying the luxury of not shaving daily!

“My son Jack and I remain avid supporters of FTFC and keep up to date with developments however we can, hoping to use our onward cards again very soon.

“Jack remains part of FTJFC Sharks Under-11s and is training with his team twice a week, remotely via Zoom, in our back garden.

“Since moving to the area two years ago, we watched as much football as we could but wanted to support FTFC.

“This is not only due to its impressive history of achievements but also because the manager, players and all the staff at Highbury remain grounded, although the club is on an upwards trajectory.

“The club projects a family-friendly aura as a close-knit football club, making us feel very welcome every matchday.”