Ellison: No Shame in Discussing Mental Health and Playing at 47

Ellison's upbringing in the Anfield suburb, just a short walk from Liverpool's iconic stadium, shaped his early football aspirations. As a youth, he represented Liverpool schoolboys and was part of the club's centre of excellence alongside future stars Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard.

During his childhood, he would often make his way to Liverpool's ground on matchdays. He'd stand outside the Kop, patiently waiting for the gates to open about 20 minutes before the end of games, allowing fans looking to leave early to exit.

"While they were leaving, I'd run into the ground and catch the end of the match," Ellison shared. "I absolutely loved watching John Barnes and Ian Rush."

Though he harbored dreams of playing for the Reds, his journey took a different turn when, unlike Owen and Gerrard, he was released by the club at the age of 15.

"I vividly recall receiving the letter from Liverpool," he reminisced. "It simply stated: 'Thank you for all your efforts over the past seven years and best of luck for the future.'

"It was devastating. My immediate thought was, 'That's it, my dream of becoming a professional footballer is over.'

"My mother, however, told me: 'Roll your sleeves up, son. Keep working hard, and your opportunity will arise.' It's like most things in life; you reap what you sow, and I refused to give up at 15.

"That rejection fueled my determination and ignited a desire to prove to everyone that I had what it takes to become a professional one day."

After a period playing in Sunday League football, Ellison found his breakthrough at Southport, then competing in the fifth tier under the management of Ronnie Moore. At 18, he made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 home loss against Telford in March 1997.

Ellison played three more games before the season concluded and remembered receiving £65 in expenses.

Subsequent moves to Chorley and then Conwy United in the League of Wales followed. He began to gain recognition for his prolific goal-scoring at Altrincham, netting 23 goals in 54 league appearances.

"I learned the hard way," Ellison added. "I was playing part-time while working full-time, on a building site and delivering furniture – sofas, beds, wardrobes, the whole lot."

Then, in 2001, came a pivotal career move to Leicester, who had won the League Cup the previous season under Martin O'Neill.

"They offered me £650 a week, and my agent pushed for more," Ellison recalled.

"He was asked to leave the room, and I was spoken to privately. I was told to sign the offer as it was or walk away. I ended up with £50 more. My agent pointed out that I was earning similar money working full-time and playing part-time.

"But growing up as a kid in Anfield, my sole ambition was to be a full-time player."