TOM Ellis, who won two major awards at Wellington AFC’s presentation night in May, has signed for the Toolstation League side for another season.

Ellis, a centre-back, won both the Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Year trophies and has obviously been a target for other sides.

He formed a solid centre-back pairing towards the end of last season with Kae Fisher, who has already committed himself to Wellington for another season despite offers from other clubs.

“Tom’s decision to stay is a real boost for us,” said Wellington boss Clive Jones. “We will have one of the best centre-back pairings in the league.

“The side for this season is coming together nicely but I still have to find a new goalkeeper.

Jones has also been pleased that Scott Drayton, used as a holding midfield player last season, has re-signed for Wellington.

He is still looking for a goalkeeper and hopefully another striker to boost his attacking options.

“Sam Kemp, a young lad who has played for both Tiverton and Elmore, has been to training and he could solve my problem by strengthening my attack,” added Jones who begins his second full season as manager.

“He’s 23 but has been out of the game for 18 months with a knee injury.

“I’ll will be keeping a close watch on him in training,”

Wellington’s first pre-season friendly is away to Crediton on Saturday, July 23.

The season starts one week earlier this season with an away game on Saturday, August 6.

Wellington will not play at home until mid-September because the cricketers are still playing on the Playing Field. It is a situation which presents itself at the beginning of every season and one which no-one at the football club like but have to deal with.

Wellington once had a chance to buy land at Rockwell Green to play on. Certainly it would have made life much easier if they had not shun such a move. Oh, with hindsight!