Biography
Experienced goalkeeper John Ellis, often known as Jack, signed for City in the 1938 close season and was a first team regular during the season that preceded the World War Two league shutdown.
Ellis was born in Tyldesley in Lancashire and played junior football for his local sides. He played lower league football for Atherton and Winsford United and had a two month trial at West Bromwich Albion in the 1930 close season. He began his professional career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, signing in February 1931 and winning a Division Two champions medal in 1933. He moved to Bristol Rovers in July 1934 and was a first team regular during his four year spell at Eastville, making over 100 senior appearances in all competitions. However he was and remains best known at Rovers as the netminder who conceded 10 goals to Joe Payne, a 22 year old former coalminer and stand-in Luton striker, who set a League goalscoring record in a 12-0 sleet-lashed shellacking.
Ellis signed for Clapton Orient in July 1939 but the season was suspended after only three matches due to the outbreak of World War Two. During the war Ellis was employed as a policeman in the North West and played wartime matches for Rochdale, Stockport County and Wrexham. He later played for Bath City, Stalybridge Celtic and Mossley. In 1947 he was appointed player-manager of Winsford United. After hanging up his boots Ellis was a scout for Leeds United for many years. Ellis died in Tyldesley in January 1994.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 25 January 1908, Tyldesley
Hull City First Game: 27 August 1938, Chester H (Division Three North), 30 years, 214 days old
Hull City Final Game: 25 March 1939, Rochdale H (Division Three North), 31 years, 59 days old
Clubs
Tyldesley United, Tyldesley Juniors, Atherton, Winsford United, West Bromwich Albion (1930), Wolverhampton Wanderers (1931-1934), Bristol Rovers (1934-1938), Hull City (1938-1939), Clapton Orient (1939), Bath City (1945), Stalybridge Celtic (1946), Mossley (1946-1947), Winsford United (1947-1948)
Hull City Record
Career: 35 apps, 0 goals
John Ellis| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938/39 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |