Mark Ellis (footballer born 1962)
Encyclopedia
Mark E Ellis was a footballer
who played the majority of his league career for hometown club Bradford City
as a left winger.
while playing for junior club Trinity Athletic in 1978, as an amateur, before he was taken on as a non-contract player in 1980. He made his debut as a substitute on 11 April 1981 in a 3–3 draw with Wigan Athletic
, before signing as a full-time professional the following month. The following
season he played 18 league games as Bradford won promotion from Division Four
under the guidance of Roy McFarland
. McFarland soon left and was replaced by Trevor Cherry
, who gave Ellis more league games each season, and he was a regular by the time City won the Division Three
title in 1984–85
starting in all but two league games. On the last day of that successful season his day was to turn into a nightmare when 56 spectators were killed in the Bradford City stadium fire in a game against Lincoln City
. Following promotion, Ellis, nicknamed "Mega Star", found league games harder to come by, but he came close to playing in all four divisions when City missed out on promotion to 1987–88
on the final day of the season. But the season also proved to be a personal disaster for Ellis, when his career was nearly ended following a cruciate ligament injury in a 1–1 draw at St Andrews
against Birmingham City
. Ellis was out injured for more than a year and played just 11 more league games for City in two more seasons.
Ellis had been known as a tricky winger who had the ability to beat opposition defenders, and was later given a testimonial match against an Everton
team featuring his friend and former teammate Stuart McCall
.
He moved down the leagues to join Halifax Town
and later Tadcaster Albion
.
Ellis joined the coaching staff at non-league Guiseley
in December 2006, to team up with his former manager Terry Dolan. When Dolan was sacked the following year, Ellis took over as caretaker manager on 24 November 2007, until Steve Kittrick was appointed new manager two weeks later. Ellis stayed on as part of the coaching team. In June 2008, he was appointed as Bradford City's under 16 coach, teaming back up with his former teammate Stuart McCall
. He will combine the role with coaching at Guiseley. Ellis spent summer 2008 in the United States as Assistant Manager of amateur club Michigan Bucks
of the United Soccer Leagues
Premier Development League (PDL).
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played the majority of his league career for hometown club Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
as a left winger.
Career
Mark Ellis first came to the attention of Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
while playing for junior club Trinity Athletic in 1978, as an amateur, before he was taken on as a non-contract player in 1980. He made his debut as a substitute on 11 April 1981 in a 3–3 draw with Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, before signing as a full-time professional the following month. The following
1981-82 in English football
The 1981–82 season was the 102nd season of competitive football in England.It was also the first season that the Three points for a win system was introduced.- First Division :Three points for a win was introduced for the first time in England...
season he played 18 league games as Bradford won promotion from Division Four
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
under the guidance of Roy McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
. McFarland soon left and was replaced by Trevor Cherry
Trevor Cherry
Trevor John Cherry is a former England and Leeds United footballer who also captained his country. He was a defender who also played for Huddersfield Town and Bradford City, and managed the latter club....
, who gave Ellis more league games each season, and he was a regular by the time City won the Division Three
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
title in 1984–85
1984-85 in English football
The 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...
starting in all but two league games. On the last day of that successful season his day was to turn into a nightmare when 56 spectators were killed in the Bradford City stadium fire in a game against Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
. Following promotion, Ellis, nicknamed "Mega Star", found league games harder to come by, but he came close to playing in all four divisions when City missed out on promotion to 1987–88
1987-88 in English football
The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season....
on the final day of the season. But the season also proved to be a personal disaster for Ellis, when his career was nearly ended following a cruciate ligament injury in a 1–1 draw at St Andrews
St Andrews (stadium)
St Andrew's is an association football stadium in the Bordesley district of Birmingham, England. It has been the home ground of Birmingham City Football Club for more than a century....
against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. Ellis was out injured for more than a year and played just 11 more league games for City in two more seasons.
Ellis had been known as a tricky winger who had the ability to beat opposition defenders, and was later given a testimonial match against an Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
team featuring his friend and former teammate Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
.
He moved down the leagues to join Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
and later Tadcaster Albion
Tadcaster Albion A.F.C.
Tadcaster Albion A.F.C. are an English football club based in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, formed in 1892. Their ground is situated behind the John Smith's brewery in Tadcaster, thus the reason for their nickname "The Brewers". Currently, they are members of the Northern Counties East Football...
.
Ellis joined the coaching staff at non-league Guiseley
Guiseley A.F.C.
Guiseley A.F.C. are an English football club from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, England.-History:Founded in 1909 by a local group of enthusiasts, the club’s first success came in 1913 when they won the local Wharfedale League...
in December 2006, to team up with his former manager Terry Dolan. When Dolan was sacked the following year, Ellis took over as caretaker manager on 24 November 2007, until Steve Kittrick was appointed new manager two weeks later. Ellis stayed on as part of the coaching team. In June 2008, he was appointed as Bradford City's under 16 coach, teaming back up with his former teammate Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
. He will combine the role with coaching at Guiseley. Ellis spent summer 2008 in the United States as Assistant Manager of amateur club Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks
Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
of the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
Premier Development League (PDL).
Player
Bradford City- English Division ThreeFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
: 1984–851984-85 in English footballThe 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...