Gray axes Ellison for Sunday league outing (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Gray axes Ellison for Sunday league outing
10:00am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Darlington FC
By Craig Stoddart, Deputy Sports Editor
Marc Ellison in action against Billingham
ANGRY Darlington manager Martin Gray last night axed Marc Ellison after discovering the midfielder played for a Sunday league team at the weekend.
Ellison is understood to have played for Hetton Lyons in the Durham Sunday League, breaking an agreement made with Gray at the start of the season.
"We've had an agreement in place that covered any money he would've missed out on by not playing for a Sunday league team," said Gray.
"That's been in place since the beginning of the season.
"He's been left out for one game, against Benfield, and he goes and plays for a Sunday team so he's gone with immediate effect. It's a matter of principle"
Ellison had been a mainstay of the side, playing in the first 11 league and cup games of the season, before dropping out of the line-up for Saturday's win over Newcastle Benfield.
New arrival Craig Gott replaced Ellison, who was not under contract and was also not included in the squad for Tuesday's win at Penrith.
Gray added: "If he wants to go and play for the Boot & Shoe on a Sunday then he can, but he'll have to play for a Northern League club that allows their players to do that.
"The same goes for anyone else. If they want to play Sunday football then they can, but they're not going to do it while they're at Darlington.
"It shows poor standards and a lack of the professionalism that we're aiming for."
Meanwhile, Darlington's Northern League match at Celtic Nation has been arranged for Tuesday, October 16, but Quakers' home game with Norton & Stockton Ancients, scheduled for November 7, is likely to be postponed.
Heritage Park landlords Bishop Auckland have been handed a home tie in the Northern League Cup second round, against Marske, for the same evening, so Darlington expect the Norton game to be moved.
On Saturday Quakers are at Billingham Town (3pm).
Comments(4)
the-big-yin
says...
5:36pm Thu 4 Oct 12
darlo fan
says...
7:04pm Thu 4 Oct 12
neilj_dafts
says...
10:07pm Thu 4 Oct 12
In man management, there may be more reasons than are being disclosed.
When dealing with youngsters there was probably some friction between the parties and that can't be tolerated.
The boy done good for us, so hopefully he'll find a new NL club, if the departure wasn't too unpleasant he maybe will get a chance to make amends & return to 1883.
We were appearing a bit light in midfield and the clogging & slogging about in the mud season is starting, so let's hope for some strengthening ASAP.
jewitt says...
11:57am Thu 4 Oct 12