Hunger, luck and yoga - veteran forward Kevin Ellison thriving at 45
Whilst he has seen many of his former team-mates call time on their footballing careers in their mid-30s, Kevin Ellison is still posing a threat to many defences at the grand age of 45.
Born in 1979, Ellison remains a staple on the team sheet week in, week out.
Currently at Vauxhall Motors, who are flying high in the NPL West Division and sit just one point adrift of leaders Widnes, frontman Ellison took his tally for the season into double digits earlier this month and shows no sign of slowing down.
Whilst admitting he wakes up on a Monday morning with some bangs and bruises, the veteran striker says he remains fully committed to embracing the rigours of playing the beautiful game at a high level.
On the secret behind his success, Ellison told the NPL: “I’ve been lucky enough to avoid getting too many major injuries during my career.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tended to look after myself a little more, doing yoga and other fitness sessions outside of football to keep up with the younger lads.”
Ellison returned to the non-league circuit in 2022 after enjoying a fruitful professional career, making over 600 appearances in the Football League. .
Spells at Warrington Rylands, City of Liverpool and Runcorn Town followed for the veteran marksman. Then he joined Step 4 motors and has enjoyed another new lease of life.
Already, he has struck 10 goals for the season - his most prolific season since the 2017/18 campaign, when he netted the same number for Morecambe.
“I’ll know in my head when I stop affecting games. When I’m not making chances, then maybe that’s the time to worry,” Ellison added.
“Whether I’m 21 or 45, I’ll always set myself a target, and that’s to get into double digits. But I want to help the young lads too.
“I see myself as a mentor now, and I do think that I help the lads out and give them some advice. One or two of them even listen to me!”
Ellison made his EFL debut more than two decades ago, aged 22. This came after he made over 100 appearances in non-league as a promising youngster for the likes of Southport, Chorley and Altrincham.
Now, as somewhat of a veteran in the changing rooms, Ellison looks back on his career and hopes to take inspiration from other professionals who helped him when he was making his way in the game. .
One name mentioned was former England international Nick Barmby, who was in his thirties when Ellison was at Hull City.
“People now ask me who Nick Barmby is, but he was one of the best pros I’ve played with,” Ellison reflected.
“He’d been around the block when he came to Hull, but his professionalism and how he got the best out of people was an inspiration.”
Another player Ellison looks up to is Jamie Cureton, who made over 700 Football League appearances before playing a further eight years in non-league.
Cureton played into his mid-forties, like Ellison is now, and the Motors forward is hoping to follow a similar trajectory, for as long as his body allows.
“I look at how he continued to play on into his forties and I think, ‘Why can’t I continue?'.
“After this season, I’ve got another year left at least. Provided I don’t get injured, I’ll keep on playing.”
