Anything re Mel Johnson? (And Johnson Flashack)

[QPR Report]

This snide piece from last year

October 2, 2008 - Charles Sale/Daily Mail - Mel Johnson
"...Beleaguered Spurs director of football Damien Comolli has axed four experienced scouts - Tony Book, Bryan King, Alan Hill and Eddie Presland - for being too old. Yet he has replaced Presland as chief scout with Mel Johnson, an ex-greetings card salesman who failed to make the first team at QPR or Reading. A club spokesperson defended the appointment, citing Steve Rowley, Arsenal's chief scout, as not having been a professional. l

Telegraph
Damien Comolli's scouting overhaul at Tottenham under the spotlight
Tottenham's much maligned sporting director Damien Comolli has reportedly culled four of the club's experienced scouts.
In with the new: Damien Comolli makes changes to scouting staff at Spurs. Photo: AP
Comolli, the man Spurs fans have pointed the finger of blame at for their poor start to the season, is said to have axed Tony Book, Bryan King, Alan Hill and Eddie Presland for being too old, according to the Mail .
Former greetings card salesman Mel Johnson, who joined the club from QPR two years ago, is expected to replace outgoing Presland as chief scout.
The decision to promote Johnson may well be questioned in some quarters by already perplexed Tottenham fans as Johnson failed to make the grade as a professional footballer at QPR and Reading.
Comolli is already under pressure at Spurs for his failure to bring in a big-name signing to fill Dimitar Berbatov's void, following his transfer deadline day move to Manchester United.
Spurs assistant Gus Poyet further highlighted the club's attacking frailties earlier this week with his striking admission that Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko are incompatible.
And Comolli's new-look background staff are certain to be scruntised if they fail to recruit the necessary players needed to challenge the Premier League's top four."...
Telegraph

[QPR Report]

From January 2005: QPR scout Mel Johnson leaves for Spurs


QPR Official Site - MEL MOVES ON
Rangers Chief Scout, Mel Johnson, is to leave the Club.

After four seasons at QPR, Mel is to become Head Scout in the UK for Tottenham Hotspur.

During his time in west London, Mel has been instrumental in the signings of numerous Rangers players, such as Steve Palmer, Martin Rowlands, Marc Bircham, Dan Shittu, Lee Cook and Gareth Ainsworth.

Now Mel will be in charge of talent spotting for the north London side and although he is looking forward to his new role, he leaves Loftus Road with a heavy heart.

He said: "I'm going to miss working at QPR terribly. I've had four great seasons here. When I first joined in 2001 we had eight players turn up for pre-season training and we built today's squad from that.

"I'm very proud of all the players that I've helped bring in during my time here and I've had some great times. The pinnacle was winning promotion at Hillsborough and it made all of those motorway journeys worthwhile.

"I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss working here, but the Premiership came calling and it was time to move on.

"Everyone here has been fantastic and I've had loads of messages wishing me good luck. Everyone here has made my job so enjoyable."

Rangers manager Ian Holloway admits that he is sorry to see Mel leave but wishes him nothing but good fortune for his career at Tottenham.

"He was one of our best ever signings," Ollie said. "A hard worker, a great personality and he will be sorely missed.

"If there are good players out there, he knows them and we will have to work our socks off to replicate what he has brought to the club.

"But he goes with our blessing and I can't thank him enough for all his efforts."