Dan Ellison commits to CTFC

Young defender has had a breakthrough start to the season

Chippenham Town Football Club are delighted to announce that Dan Ellison has signed a long-term deal with the First Team. Dan has signed an initial 18-month deal, with an optional extension to the contract.

Academy Manager Joe Sharples has placed on record his thanks to all the staff that have aided Dan’s development.

Dan graduated from the club’s academy, and has burst onto the first team scene this season. After a number of seasons exclusively playing for the Bluebirds’ academy sides, the decision was made for Dan to experience first team football at Devizes Town.

He soon showed a level of performance above that level, and for the 2022/23 season, it was announced he would dual register with Calne Town.

Alex Blake, Calne Town’s manager, said: ‘’I’ve not met a more polite, humble, respectful, thoughtful but determined and driven young person. He’s a credit to his family and himself. I wish him all the success he experiences’’.

Dan then went on to make his first team debut in the Wiltshire Premier Shield against Swindon Town.

But there was something else brewing for Dan and the Bluebird’s youth side, and that was a promising run in the NFYL Cup.

Dan Ellison led the side out at the Hawthorns in a clash against Rochdale, with the grand prize being a cup title.

As will become evident throughout his journey to the first team, the centre-half popped up with a goal, and the winning goal at that.

A looping header and a perfect defensive display sealed the win, and the tournament victory. Cue celebrations and Ellison lifting the cup at the Hawthorns.

Coming into the 23/24 season, Ellison was dual registered with Westbury United to get more first team experience. Dan performed amazingly yet again, and earned the Player of the Month award for August.

However, this was soon halted, as another opportunity arose. Gary Horgan trusted the 18-year-old with a spot in the first team, and all parties involved would be rewarded greatly.

A debut against Tonbridge Angels followed, and Dan nearly struck a spectacular effort to equalise in the final seconds. That would be a sign of what was to come. A goal against Farnborough, another against Chelmsford City and a bullet against Hampton & Richmond Borough followed.

All of this completely negates what a brilliant defender he has been too, every loose cross would be met by Ellison’s head or boot.

Ellison has committed his long term future to the Bluebirds, and I, for one, can not wait.

On a personal note, I’ve known Dan for a good nine years now. He has always been a humble player, and will never admit how much he has developed.

To be playing National League South football at 18, and looking not just confident but accomplished, is testament to him.

Dan Ellison is an asset to the club, as a player and a person.

He joins the number of first team players who have worked their way through the academy, which again shows what an asset our youth academy is.

Jamie Oleszynski, Chippenham Town Commentator