East Penn Rush Welcomes Tom Mellor
East Penn Rush Welcomes Tom Mellor to the Coaching Staff
East Penn Rush Soccer Club is proud to announce the addition of Tom Mellor to our coaching staff. Tom brings a wealth of experience as both a professional player and accomplished coach, with a background that spans elite academy development, professional competition, collegiate success, and more than a decade of coaching and mentoring players within the Central Pennsylvania soccer community.
Tom began his soccer journey at one of the world’s most prestigious academies, the Manchester United Academy, where he trained from 1998 to 2006. During this time, he developed in a highly competitive professional environment known for producing top-level players. He later completed his professional apprenticeship with Barnsley FC from 2006 to 2008, competing at the youth and reserve levels and further preparing for his professional career.
In 2009, Tom moved to the United States to play collegiate soccer at Notre Dame College (NAIA). During his two seasons, he helped lead the program to the 2010 National Championship Final and earned First Team All-American honors in both 2009 and 2010. He also competed in the Premier Development League (PDL) with the Ottawa Fury and Michigan Bucks, playing alongside and against some of the top collegiate and emerging professional players in North America.
Tom turned professional in 2011 with the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL), where he competed for two seasons. He then joined the Harrisburg Heat (MASL), where he enjoyed a long and successful professional indoor career from 2012 to 2021. His leadership qualities and deep understanding of the game led him to serve as Assistant Coach for the Harrisburg Heat in 2021, further expanding his coaching experience at the professional level.
Tom has been actively coaching youth soccer since 2011, working with players across all age groups and competitive levels. Throughout his coaching career, he has helped develop and mentor players at critical stages of their development and has guided numerous athletes into collegiate soccer programs across NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA. He has also supported local high school soccer programs, including Central Dauphin and Cedar Crest, contributing to both individual player growth and overall program success.
Tom holds his FA Level 2 Coaching License and is passionate about developing technically confident, creative, and intelligent players who understand the game and enjoy the process of improvement. His coaching philosophy emphasizes creating a positive, competitive environment where players can thrive both on and off the field.
Tom’s experience at the academy, collegiate, professional, and youth levels brings tremendous value to East Penn Rush. His proven track record of player development and his commitment to excellence align perfectly with the Rush Way and our club’s mission to provide the highest level of development opportunities for our players.
We are excited to welcome Tom Mellor to East Penn Rush and look forward to the lasting impact he will have on our players, families, and club community.
About East Penn Rush Soccer Club
East Penn Rush is committed to providing a complete development pathway for players of all levels. As part of Rush Soccer, the largest youth soccer organization in the world, our players have access to elite coaching, national and international opportunities, and a proven pathway for long-term success.
