Tributes have been paid to ex-Morecambe and Lancaster City footballer George Melling, who has lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease, aged 37.
Central defender George had a distinguished playing career, including spells with both the Shrimps and the Dolly Blues, as well as at clubs including Blackpool, Altrincham, Northwich Victoria, Leyland Town, Kendal Town, Clitheroe and Colne FC.
He was diagnosed with MND in January 2021 and passed away earlier today.
A GoFundMe page set up last year to ‘Help Big G Fight MND’, raised more than £12,300.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-big-g-aka-george-melling-fight-mnd
Since the news broke of George’s passing, tributes have flooded in from across the footballing world and beyond.
Paying tribute, George’s wife, Nicci, said: ‘’Heaven gained the best angel early hours this morning and we were all by his side right to the very end.
‘’Everyone is so very proud of the horrendous battle that you tried so hard to fight.
‘’MND is not the definition of George Melling, it was just the cruel, cruel disease that took him away from us.
‘’He was a fantastic father, a terrible dancer, the life and soul of the party and I’m so very proud to call him my husband.
‘’Once met never forgotten!!! When he walked in a room you knew about it!! You couldn’t help but love him. The twinkle in his eye and that cheeky wink, his presence was infectious.
‘’You really will leave a massive hole in everybody’s hearts
‘’I’m now going to repeat one on the cheesiest things that you once said to me, and I actually mean it….
“I miss you so much, even when I blink my eyes, I miss you.’’


Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe

