Simon1889

When Mel Rees joined Sheffield United in March 1992, he had reached 25 years old without ever really managing to establish himself anywhere. He had been at Cardiff, Watford and West Brom, with loan spells in between, and was hardly playing when Dave Bassett suddenly needed a goalkeeper at Bramall Lane. West Brom wanted rid of him. “West Brom would have jumped at the chance to get two bob for me.” Bassett paid £25,000. Two days later, Sheffield United were playing Liverpool. Simon Tracey was struggling with bruised ribs and Rees did not even find out he was starting until midday. He went out that afternoon, kept a clean sheet and United won 2-0. Bassett had managed him at Watford years earlier and always thought there was a goalkeeper in there. “I’m surprised he’s not done better.” “He did wonders on Saturday.” Over the next few weeks, Rees finally started showing everyone else what Bassett had seen. He played the final eight league games of the season as United climbed to ninth in the First Division, producing some of his best performances against Aston Villa and Everton. His form was good enough to earn him a call-up to the Wales squad. At 25, after years of moving around trying to establish himself, everything had finally started falling into place. That summer, Rees was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He underwent major surgery and disappeared from football for six months. By January 1993, he had recovered enough to return to Bramall Lane and start training again. Even after everything he had been through, Rees came back exactly the same person. “The lads have helped me keep my sense of humour.” “They even had a sweep on my chances of surviving.” Alan Kelly had arrived at Sheffield United while Rees was away receiving treatment. Kelly thought he had been signed as cover for Rees and Simon Tracey, and did not initially know that Rees was ill. When Rees eventually returned to the club, he walked around the dressing room to where the new goalkeeper was sitting and held out his hand. “Don’t worry, it’s not contagious.” For a while, it looked like Rees might actually make it back. He had been given permission to resume his career, although he knew it would be years before doctors could say for certain that the cancer had gone. “It will be five years before I know if I have beaten it.” “But it is great to get the go-ahead to resume my career.” A couple of months later, he was back in hospital. The cancer had returned and Rees needed a second operation. At almost exactly the same time, Sheffield United were preparing for an FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday. For the first time ever, the two Sheffield clubs were going to play each other at Wembley. United captain Brian Gayle wanted Rees to be part of it. He offered to give up the honour of leading the team out so Rees could do it instead. “When it was first mentioned he thought it was a wind-up.” “But he will do it if he feels up to it.” Rees had only just been released from hospital. “More than anything we’re hoping it will give him a boost.” “Because feeling good is all part of the battle.” The original plan for Rees to lead the teams out was not allowed by the FA. So instead, before kick-off, he walked around the Wembley pitch. On one side of the stadium were Sheffield United supporters. On the other were Sheffield Wednesday. And as Rees made his way around the pitch, both sets of supporters stood and applauded him. Jamie Hoyland was in the United squad that afternoon. “My main abiding memory of the day is Mel Rees.” “I get choked up thinking about it now.” “The reception from around the stadium was amazing, every fan stood up.” Wednesday eventually won 2-1 after extra time. Alan Kelly had been outstanding in the United goal, but when he walked off the pitch afterwards, he saw Rees waiting at the side. Kelly went over to him. The two goalkeepers walked away together. “If there was any moment in my life when I realised that there were more important things in life than football then that moment was it.” It was the last time Mel Rees appeared in public. He passed away on the 30th of May 1993. He was 26 years old. Dave Bassett later remembered what had stood out about him through everything. “It is the way he faced up to the blow of discovering he had cancer and fought it to the end with courage and humour that marked him out as special.” #football