Melvyn Tudor George Nurse was born on 11 October 1937 and is a Welsh former professional footballer.
19 Facts About Mel Nurse
1.
2.
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 saw the area sustain heavy bombing due to the nearby Cwmfelin Steelworks and Mel Nurse's father was called up for service during the hostilities, spending several years away from the family.
3.
Mel Nurse was active in numerous sports, taking part in long-jump and javelin as well as captaining his school's football and cricket teams.
4.
Outside football, Mel Nurse was a keen carpenter and briefly worked as an apprentice for a local carpenter before his football career progressed.
5.
Mel Nurse was informed of his debut by a local sports reporter, Les Bailey, who covered Swansea Town matches and lived nearby to him.
6.
However, at the age of 18, Mel Nurse was called up for his national service, being stationed in Worcester with the Royal Engineers.
7.
Mel Nurse represented his regiment in football, playing alongside Dave Mackay and against George Kirby.
8.
Mel Nurse's unit was eventually moved to Hong Kong but, as Nurse was playing football for the regiment and occasionally for Swansea Town when he was granted leave, he was allowed to stay in the UK.
9.
Mel Nurse wanted to remain in Wales, but the club made it clear he had no future there if he refused to move.
10.
Mel Nurse was pulled over by police and questioned before his real identity was established.
11.
In 1965, Mel Nurse became unsettled after the appointment of new manager Raich Carter and, with his wife homesick, Middlesbrough placed him on the transfer list.
12.
Mel Nurse left Swindon in September 1968 and returned to live in Swansea.
13.
Mel Nurse had considered retirement in order to focus on his business ventures but was approached by Swansea manager Billy Lucas who visited Nurse's mother's house, where he was staying with his wife until they could purchase their own home, having been told that Nurse was living in Swansea again.
14.
Mel Nurse remained with the club until 1971 when Bentley introduced afternoon training sessions, the players having previously only trained in the mornings.
15.
The move was designed to keep the club's younger players focused by allowing less free time but Mel Nurse grew frustrated as he managed his business interests in the afternoons and decided to retire from playing.
16.
Mel Nurse played a dozen games for the Welsh national team, limited by the players of the side, including John Charles and Mike England.
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Mel Nurse would go on to purchase several hotels in the town and began developing properties in the area for resale.
18.
The difficult times saw an attempt to sack seven players, and in November 2001, Mel Nurse resigned from the board.
19.
On 19 January 2002, Swansea was finally sold, after a bitter stand-off with a consortium headed by Mel Nurse which was supported by the majority of the club's fans.