Huge support for paralysed football starlet

YOU can do it bruv . . . little brother Oliver visits Ellis in hospital

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Hollins teenager Ellis Robinson dreamed of becoming a professional footballer.

But his dream was cut down when a freak accident left the 17 year old paralysed from the shoulders down - leaving his family worried that he might not walk again.

Ellis was training at Hathershaw Sports Centre with his team Limeside King George FC when another player fell on top of him. Ellis was rushed to Salford Royal and had an emergency MRI scan that showed a serious spinal cord injury. He had no feeling below his chest.

Next day he was given a breathing tube in his neck to help his breathing.

Manchester United fan Ellis will be moved from Salford to a spinal injuries centre in Southport when his condition improves.

The young footballer’s situation is alredy said to be improving - some feeling has returned to parts of his legs and arms.

Since the accident the “#TeamEllis” campaign has gone viral on social media, with high-profile sports stars such as Chadderton boxer Anthony Crolla and football personalities Philip Neville, Trevor Sinclair and Joey Barton tweeting their support. Latics’ head of youth coaching Simon Cooper even made an inspirational video, and gofundme page has raised over £4,600 in two days.

Mum Lisa (35) and younger brother Oliver (13) visit him often, as do his family and friends, as well his old school teachers.

Stepsister Megan Tucker (17), whose father Mark is Lisa’s partner, set up the Twitter account @teamellis to keep wellwishers informed of his progress.

Megan said: “When we first visited him it was a bit of a shock. But what he has done in the past week has stunned us all.

“This time last week he couldn’t move or speak and was on a breathing machine. Now he has sent us a voice message saying thank you, and that he hasfeeling in his legs and arms. He’s opening his eyes and smiling. It’s really amazing how he’s doing.”

Uncle Anees Mirza (32) is amazed with the teen’s improvement and the support: “Since the day it happened, all we have had from him is progress after progress every day,” he said. “Hopefully, with everybody’s support, he will stay strong. He will make it through.

“There’s a lot of support from the football family. The Facebook and Twitter campaign has gone crazy with support.

“Ellis is the one who has been the strongest in this situation. He’s not shown once that he’s upset or down. And even people who don’t know reading the story have shown so much support. It’s beautiful.”

Ellis studies at Oldham College and narrowly missed acceptance in a trial for the England Colleges team at the end of last year.

He has played for many local clubs, including Failsworth Dynamos, Limeside Athletic, Oldham Town and Ashton United, as well as Rochdale Football Club and Academy.

Two fundraisers are already planned to help adapt his to avoid his having to use the stairs. The first is at Baldy Bob’s Bar and Kehoes in Oldham Road on March 25. The second is a football match at Latics’ Sportsdirect.com Park on May 10, featuring an all-star line-up. Players confirmed so far include Paul Scholes, James Beattie, Trevor Sinclair and Frank Sinclair. Tickets from the King George Pub and Scissor Sisters salon, both in Hollins Road.

For more information on the fundraiser, visit www.gofundme.com/zsrwnfr8.

Follow the #TeamEllis campaign on Twitter and the account @teamellis.