Footballer whose only Premier League appearance came against Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd is still playing at 46
'ells bells Footballer whose only Premier League appearance came against Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd is still playing at 46
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KEVIN ELLISON is proving age is nothing but a number by going around for another season at the age of 46!
And he will clock up a remarkable 30 years as a player.
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Kevin Ellison spent nine years with Morecambe, making over 350 appearances
Credit: PA:Empics Sport
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Ellison began his playing career in 1996, with playing spells at 18 different clubs since, including a single Premier League appearance against Man Utd
Credit: PA:Press Association
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Ellison's journey has now taken him to the Northern Premier Division's Vauxhall Motors FC
Credit: instagram @kev11elly
Having clocked up six minutes of Premier League action – as a Leicester substitute in a 3-0 loss at Manchester United in November 2001 – the striker is still going.
Now after committing to another season at Northern Premier League West Division side Vauxhall Motors, he will complete a THIRD decade on the pitch.
Making his senior debut way back in 1996 for Southport, he is approaching 1,000 appearances in all but one of the top eight tiers of the football pyramid.
He is showing no signs of losing it after being Vauxhall's second highest appearance maker last season, scoring 15 goals in 44 games.
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And Ellison told BBC Radio Merseyside: 'I love it. What else am I going to do on a Saturday afternoon or a Tuesday night?
'I am grateful my body allows me to. I've got friends who retired early, I've got friends who packed in because their body was breaking down but lucky for me, my body still allows me to do something I love and long may it continue.
'There's a bit of luck. When you're a footballer you do get injuries and I'm fortunate enough that I've had no serious ones.
'But you've got to look after yourself and manage yourself away from the football club.
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Ellison has played in all but one of the top eight tiers of the English game
Credit: PA:Press Association
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His clubs include Leicester City, Hull City, Stockport County, Morecambe and Newport County
Credit: Rex
"I do my yoga, my swimming, I do all kinds and there are times I push myself.
'I've noticed over the last couple of years when I have pushed myself thinking I'm still 21 I start to feel a few little things. I manage myself to make sure I'm right on a Saturday."
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Ellison made almost 400 appearances for Morecambe but had Football League stints at Stockport, Lincoln, Chester, Hull, Tranmere, Rotherham, Bradford and Newport.
There is also that one top flight appearance for Leicester, when he replaced Dean Sturridge and faced the likes of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
Ellison is not the only former Premier League star still going in the NPL West.
Ex-Hull City and Burnley ace George Boyd will turn out for Wythenshawe Town as he turns 40 in October.
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