By Joshua Richards
IT'S normally this time of the year when striker Kevin Ellison sees bookmakers' tips, reads pundits' predictions and has a little chuckle to himself.
Morecambe tend to be perennial favourites to be relegated from League Two, yet they typically burst out of the blocks and have punters tossing away their betting slips before the clocks have changed.
True to form, the Shrimps have won three of their first four league matches this term and headed into yesterday's derby with Accrington Stanley top of the table.
Where they finish the season is another matter, but 37-year-old Ellison has high hopes.
“On paper we have a good squad,” said Ellison.
“I have been here for six years and, outside of the dressing room, we are written off, but that seems to stand us in good stead.
“I have had a few people, family and friends, say to me ‘Aren't Morecambe doing well', like it's a big surprise. But we always start well.
“Then the Christmas hoodoo kicks in and we tend to lose a few. We don't have the biggest budget and, once you start to pick up injuries and suspensions, it does interfere with the way you play.
“People can write us off, but we know what we have.
“We have our own benchmark. Sometimes, you can aim too high, but it is good to have that as your target.
“We certainly don't start the season thinking ‘We'll take third from bottom'. We have ambitions to be pushing for the play-offs.
“It's not all about ability. It's also about putting your head where it hurts and being willing to run through brick walls for each other. Tom Barkhuizen and Jack Dunn are those type of players. It's about a will to win.
Jack Dunn and Tom Barkhuizen, two players willing to give their all for the team
“Perhaps we didn't have enough of that kind of player last year, but we have Peter Murphy coming back and that's his game. We're looking good.”
At 37, and seemingly playing for a contract extension year on year, Ellison could have been forgiven for hanging up his boots this summer.
Instead, he was the first member of the squad to badger boss Jim Bentley about when pre-season training would start.
“In the summer, I had 15 days off after the last game of the season, got a text from the gaffer and I replied telling him I was bored. I wanted to start playing again,” added Ellison.
“I go into training every day and smile. People don't like pre-season but I love my football.
“I currently feel the fittest I have ever been, so hopefully I won't have to utter the retirement word for a long time yet.
“People always write me off, but I look after myself. I had a day off on Thursday after the Bournemouth game and I was up first thing and in the gym, had a swim and then my masseur came round. I swear he's the reason I'm still playing.
“Once you're over 30 at Morecambe, they tend to offer one-year contracts to keep you motivated, and perhaps that has worked.
“I have a family to support, so I want to play for as long as I can.
“This is the longest I have been at a club and I've felt at home since day one. I've enjoyed my time here and it is where I would like to finish.
“But I want to play for as long as I can. So, if they don't want me any more, then maybe I'll have to look elsewhere next season. Hopefully, it won't come to that.”
*This article was originally featured in The FLP on Sunday 28th August.
