Ellison: I get targeted by officials and opposition

The Shrimps forward returns from his latest suspension against Luton on Saturday having served a one-game ban after reaching five bookings.

The 35-year-old, known for his confrontational style, said: “I think I do get targeted.

“I’ve been in the tunnels a few times this season and the ref’s come up to me and said to me in front of the opposing players ‘are you going to be good today?’.

“I don’t think that is a good way to go about things because as soon as I tackle they’re all rolling round and the ref’s straight up to me.”

Ellison has tried to curb a manner that sees him regularly in the face of the opposition but revealed that he feels he lost something from his game as he continues to roll back the years as a Shrimps match-winner.

He said: “I get quite a few bookings and in the summer I did try and cut things out.

“But I think it affected my game.

“The gaffer has said to me he needed to cut the bookings out and I tried to change things and it took bits out of my play.”

Ellison spent the Stevenage game when he was suspended putting up the family Christmas tree, a time that should be joyous for any family.

The veteran however admits he isn’t good at being away from his team mates on a Saturday.

He said: “My missus had me putting the tree up and sorting the house out and if I’m honest it’s one of the worst weekends I’ve had.

“I don’t like watching football at the best of times and it is Christmas time but I’d rather be on the pitch with the lads.”