Roy Ellam
English footballer (1943–2026)
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Roy Ellam (13 January 1943 – 18 February 2026) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre half in the Football League for three West Yorkshire teams, Bradford City, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United, during the 1960s and 1970s.[1]
|
Ellam with Huddersfield Town, c. 1972 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 January 1943 | ||
| Place of birth | Hemsworth, England | ||
| Date of death | 18 February 2026 (aged 83) | ||
| Position | Centre half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1961–1966 | Bradford City | 149 | (12) |
| 1966–1972 | Huddersfield Town | 206 | (8) |
| 1972–1974 | Leeds United | 11 | (0) |
| 1974–1975 | Huddersfield Town | 18 | (2) |
| 1975 | Philadelphia Atoms | 16 | (1) |
| 1975–1977 | Mossley | 83 | (2) |
| 1976 | Washington Diplomats | 24 | (2) |
| 1977–1980 | Gainsborough Trinity | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1979–1980 | Gainsborough Trinity | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Born in Hemsworth, Ellam started his career at Bradford City before joining Huddersfield Town, then Leeds United, before returning to Huddersfield. Leeds won the First Division during his time at the club but he contributed only four appearances during the campaign.[2] He then played in the North American Soccer League for Philadelphia Atoms and Washington Diplomats[1] before returning to non-league football in England with Mossley, where he scored twice in 83 appearances,[3] and Gainsborough Trinity, where he was manager.[4] From 1983 to 1992, Ellam ran the Nelson Inn public house in Thornhill Lees near Dewsbury, and worked in his daughter's fitness centre.[5]
