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EUGENE MELANIPHY
Full Name: Eugene Michael Melaniphy (also known as Ted and Miffy)
Born: 05 February 1912
Came from: Finchley Went to: Cardiff City
First game: 28 March 1932 Last game: 13 April 1936
Appearances: 69 (69/0) Goals: 32
Often cited as being born in Westport in Ireland, Irish genealogy research shows that he was in fact born in Frenchpark, near Castlerea, in County Roscommon, some 60 miles to the east.
His father was a police sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary, so the family moved locations regularly, which may help explain the confusion over his birthplace. His elder brother Patrick was a boarder at St Michael's School, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in June 1921, according to Census records. The family did later move to Hitchin, where Eugene and his brother James also attended the same school.
Melaniphy, by then a law student, started out in the English non-league game with Surrey side Redhill and then north London side Finchley before his performances saw Bob Jack bring him to Home Park early in 1932. He joined as an amateur but soon signed professional terms, and rapidly became known as 'Miffy' because supporters found it difficult to pronounce his surname.
In his five seasons at Home Park, he was generally thought of as a reserve, but came close to averaging a highly creditable goal every two games in his 69 first-team appearances. He scored 32 times for the club, including a hat-trick in October 1933 in a 4-1 home win against Bradford Park Avenue.
He later moved on to Cardiff City in December 1936, playing 20 times and scoring eight goals, and then had a brief period in non-league football with Worcester City. However, in 1939 he returned to the Football League with Northampton Town, where he was only able to play three times, scoring once, before the Second World War interrupted the league programme. He also played for York City and Tranmere Rovers in the wartime leagues, but records show no further Football League appearances or clubs.
After the hostilities ended, he emigrated with his second wife to the United States of America in the 1950s and maintained an involvement in football. In May 1954, when Argyle toured the USA, one of their tour games was against a Chicago All-Stars side managed by Melaniphy. Argyle triumphed 8-1, and Melaniphy, along with another Chicago-based former Argyle player, James Cook, acted as greeters for the club when they arrived in Illinois.
He remained living in the USA for the rest of his life and passed away in Chicago in June 1991, aged 79.
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From Michael Sugrue in Newport, Wales on 16 Feb 2022 ...
Thanks for the profile on Eugene Melaniphy. There are two errors in your profile. He was born on 5 Feb 1912 (and not 1913). He was born in Frenchpark, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon and not Westport, Co. Mayo. A copy of his birth certificate can be found at www.irishgenealogy.ie Search for Eugene Melaniphy. (Enter Castlerea as the location and 1912 -1912 as the year range).
Eugene's father was a Police Sergeant in Royal Irish Constabulary so moved locations regularly which may help explain the confusion about birthplace. His elder brother Patrick was a boarder at St Michael's school, Hitchin, Hertfordshire in June 1921 (census). The other family members do not appear to be in England at the time.
The family did later move to Hitchin as Eugene and his brother James also attended St Michael's School, Hitchin.
Eugene was married twice. He emigrated to USA with his second wife during 1950s. He died in Chicago on 3 June 1991, aged 79.
His brother Patrick emigrated to Australia by himself in 1923, aged 16, but died from heatstroke in 1927, aged just 21.
APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
We are very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree and the PAFC Media Team for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
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