Centre back Mark Ellis joins National League promotion chasers
Carlisle United Football Club can confirm that defender Mark Ellis has joined National League promotion chasers Forest Green on a loan deal which will keep him at The New Lawn until the end of the current season.Ellis, 28, initially signed for United from Shrewsbury Town on a one-month loan deal in October 2015. This became permanent at the start of the January 2016 transfer window when he signed a two-and-a-half year contract. He has scored one goal in his 47 appearances for the Blues so far.
Manager Keith Curle said: “As we've said with all the players placed on the available for loan list, all these lads have been missing is game time. Their attitude and professionalism has never been in question.
"Mark typiifies that because he's trained and worked hard and he's been chomping at the bit. With the changes we've made he knew pitch time was likely to be limited with us, so this move will take to him a club which has a heck of a lot at stake.
"They're second in their division and they're battling to get into the Football League. He will relish that challenge and I know he will give them everything, as he has with us. This is one of those moves we've spoken about which is of benefit to all parties, and we wish him well."
Ellis started his career with a three-month loan deal at Torquay, from parent club Bolton, which turned into a permanent move in the summer of 2008. Over 100 appearances and four years followed with the Gulls, which included a short loan spell with Forest Green Rovers in 2009.
He made the move to Crewe in 2012 and became a regular with the Alex through his two-year stay. He then signed for the Shrews in May 2014 where he helped them back to promotion to League One at the first attempt.