Dan Ellison reflects on 'tough' Bristol Rovers start as defender secures National League loan

Dan Ellison has admitted he has endured a "tough" start to life at Bristol Rovers upon joining National League side Aldershot Town on a one-month loan.

The 19-year-old defender joined the Gas in summer from Chippenham Town and featured in a number of early pre-season friendlies but is yet to make his competitive debut for Rovers. He did, however, feature in Tuesday's behind closed doors friendly with Cheltenham Town.

Bristol Live understands that the centre-back has previously seen a few other prospective loan moves fall through since his arrival in BS7 but the move to the Shots is expected to hand Ellison some much-needed minutes with the Hampshire club facing an injury shortage in defence.

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"I'm really happy to be here," the teenage defender told official Aldershot media. "It's such a good club with a good fanbase and it will be good to come here on loan and push on. Really good.

"It was really good coming through at Chippenham, obviously coming from the academy there. [I] Came up to the first team last season so I've got a good taste of senior football at a good level at the National South. I think this is the natural step up and I'm really happy to get going and meet the supporters.

"It's been tough, to be fair," Ellison added on his start to life at Rovers. "Pre-season was definitely tough but the last couple of months I've really been starting to come out of my shell a bit and I've been really wanting to play football and I'm really happy that they've given me the opportunity to play here and hopefully make an impact on the team."

During last season's breakthrough campaign at Chippenham, the defender made 30 appearances in the sixth tier which not only caught the eye of George Friend and his recruitment team at Rovers but also England C manager Paul Fairclough with the teenager's first cap coming against Nepal, coincidentally at Aldershot's EBB Stadium.

On signing Ellison, Shots manager and former Gas head of recruitment and interim boss Tommy Widdrington said: "With the unfortunate circumstances regarding Ollie Harfield, we’ve been in constant dialect with Bristol Rovers with regards to Dan so when the opportunity arose to work with him within our group we felt he’d be a very good fit.

“He’s familiar with a few of the players having been part of the England C squad that played at The EBB against Nepal towards the end of last season and I’m sure the Shots fans will join me in welcoming Dan to North Hampshire.”

Head of Recruitment Jamie Hedges, also previously of Rovers as an analyst, added: “With the unfortunate injuries we’ve had to the backline, we felt it was important to add more quality to this area of the pitch to add competition.

“Dan is a great ball playing defender, he has a great range of pass and looks to be positive and progressive with his passing. He’s also an aggressive defender that reads the game well and is a massive weapon from set pieces.”

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