Dan Ellison returned to Chippenham Town for the first time since departing the Bluebirds for Bristol Rovers last summer and had plenty of stories to tell after a strong 2024/25 campaign.
The centre-back spent pre-season with the Gas last term after signing from Chippenham on a two-year contract, with the option of a further season, before gaining plenty of experience on loan at Aldershot Town.
The 20-year-old made 22 appearances in the National League and scored in the Shots' 3-0 victory over Spennymoor Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy final at Wembley.
However, the defender is now back at the Pirates as they prepare for the 2025/26 Sky Bet League Two campaign. The fixture against Chippenham, where Ellison got 45 minutes under his belt in the second half, was the first of Rovers' six pre-season matches before the opening game of the campaign against Harrogate Town at The Memorial Stadium.
“It’s the first pre-season game,” he said. “So, it was good to get minutes into everyone’s legs. We’ve been working really hard, so it was good to get back out on the pitch to play a match against a great opposition who held their own really well.”
He later added: “It’s been brilliant. It's been really tough, but there’s a really vibrant feel around the lads, and it’s been a brilliant start to pre-season. It’s been really tough, but it’s exactly what we need, and it’s been great.”
Ellison made 30 appearances for Chippenham in the National League and racked up an impressive four goals from centre-back. His impressive performances saw him called into the England ‘C’ team, becoming the first ever Bluebirds player to achieve such an accolade.
Walking into The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium, Ellison spoke to several familiar faces and said he was 'delighted' to be back.
“It was brilliant,” said Ellison. “I think I have had about 100 conversations with people that I know. So, it was great to see everyone that I haven’t seen for a while. I love Chippenham, I came through the academy here, so it holds a big place in my heart, and they’re a big reason why I’m here. So, it was really good to be back to be able to speak to some old faces."
Ellison returns to Rovers a much more experienced player after a beneficial loan spell at Aldershot. He started 18 fixtures in the National League and was part of a historic side, with the Shots playing at Wembley for the first time. His goal came in front of 18,000 Aldershot fans, but it was not all positive last term.
The centre-back was in and out of the team, but testing times have only given him more experience, especially as he came out the other side to start five of their final six games of the campaign. Ellison was tested against some tough forwards in the 2024/25 term and took plenty out of his loan spell away.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience,” he said. “It was really good playing in the National League, which is a really tough league and a big step up from the National South, in my opinion. I played against some really good strikers, and obviously, topped it off with the FA Trophy final and winning that.
"It was a great season. There were some ups and downs, to be fair. I was out of the team for a bit, but I came back in and did well. It was a really good season with Tommy Widdrington as well; he’s a great manager.
Ellison is part of the Rovers squad heading out to southern Spain for a testing camp and game against Sky Bet League One team Stockport County, with Head Coach Darrell Clarke ready to put the players through their paces in difficult conditions. The young defender is ready for the challenge and believes it will benefit the squad.
“ It will be great,” said Ellison. “I don’t think I’ll come back with a tan, but it will be great to go out there, work really hard in the heat, although it’s been really hot here as well. But it will be great to go out there, work really hard, play one match and come back even fitter and even stronger as a whole team.”
