NEW GULL PROFILE
Sam Turner – @sam_turner97
Sam discusses the returning Mark Ellis
A new addition for Gary Johnson’s side (among a few others) in the wake of the Notts County match was Torquay old boy Mark Ellis on a 1 month loan. Having played over 100 games for the Yellows in a loan and subsequent permanent stint between 2007 and 2012, Mark is no stranger to the Plainmoor experience. Though he never got to experience a fully functioning Bristow’s Bench as he left for Crewe Alexandra the summer before the stand was opened. Let’s hope he can get the fans up for it as the club looks to turn itself around this season! Let’s take a closer look at his career so far…
CAREER SUMMARY
Born locally in Kingsbridge, Devon, Mark found his way into the Bolton Wanderers academy and signed his first professional contract with them in 2007 (the last to do so at the club under Sam Allardyce). Unfortunately for him he never made a first team appearance for the Greater Manchester side. Fortunately for us it meant he wound up playing for the Gulls on loan in the 2007/08 season, our first ever in the Conference. Following a season of 22 appearances in the league he joined the club permanently in the summer of 2008. Mark would go on to make close to another 100 league appearances for the Gulls from 2008 until 2012, being involved in many significant campaigns including our play off promotion back from the Conference to the Football League in 2009. His time with us included 9 league goals and a 7 match loan to Forest Green Rovers after we got promoted.
After deciding to call time with Torquay he moved onto Crewe Alexandra, who had just been promoted to League 1 at the time. He spent two seasons with The Railwaymen, helping them to a Johnstone’s Paint (now known as Papa John’s) trophy win against Southend in the 2012/13 season. After leaving Crewe he moved to Shrewsbury for two seasons where he helped them to League 2 promotion in his first season before spending much of the next year in and out of the team or on loan at Carlisle United in League 2. His time after Shrewsbury was spent at various league and non-league clubs. Carlisle United, Forest Green Rovers (on loan…again), Leyton Orient (loan), Tranmere Rovers, Notts County (loan), Barrow, Solihull Moors (loan) and finally back to the Gulls in November 2022 at the age of 34. A very well travelled and experienced centre back who can hopefully help us up the table in the month he is here (and beyond if Gary can convince Barrow!).
“The support was always fantastic. I will always keep track of Torquay United. I was happy there, it’s a home club and it’s really where it all began” – Interview below with Torquay Talk’s Dom Roman back in 2020:
STATS
Position: Centre Back
Date of Birth: 30/09/1988
Height: 1.88m
Birthplace: Kingsbridge, Devon
Previous clubs: Bolton, Torquay, Forest Green, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Carlisle, Leyton Orient, Tranmere, Notts County, Barrow, Solihull Moors
MOST LIKELY/LEAST LIKELY TO
MOST LIKELY TO:
– Shout reminders at the rest of the defence for 90 minutes!
– Be asked to stay for the rest of the season.
– Clear a ball gleefully over the Popside.
LEAST LIKELY TO:
– Pull out of a 50/50 challenge
– Shy away from the action!
HIGHLIGHTS
Two goals from Mark in 2010 (in a classic away kit!).
CONCLUSION
It’s always nice to see a former fan favourite return to the club, especially when that player comes in at a time like this and helps the club to a 6-1 victory in only his second appearance. Hopefully after the month long loan is up we can negotiate a longer loan with his parent club Barrow FC (League 2). For now though let’s see if he can help us pull off a shock against Derby this weekend and in the league beyond. If anything he’s probably not going to get a red card suspension in only a month (please Mark!). Top man.
COYY – SAM
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