“He was inspirational… Whatever battles he had, he fought them and came through them”Ellis Robinson(Image: Submitted)

The family of an ‘inspirational’ young man who has died almost a decade after he was seriously injured playing football have paid a moving tribute to him.

Ellis Robinson passed away on Friday, November 28, aged 27. It came nine years after he was left paralysed following a ‘freak accident.’

He was playing five-a-side at a sports hall in his hometown of Oldham in 2016, when a seemingly innocuous incident where a fellow player fell on top of him whilst he was sat on the floor, left him with a severe spinal chord injury.

Then aged 17, he underwent emergency surgery, spent weeks in hospital, and almost 18 months at a specialist rehabilitation centre in Southport. One of musical heroes, the rapper Stormzy, came to visit him there. He required round-the-clock care afterwards.

Ellis in action shortly before his accident(Image: Submitted)

The hugely popular youngster from the Hollins/Limeside area of Oldham had rebuilt his life before his shock death last month, his family said. He had launched his clothing range, called Spyne, and had begun studying again.

Ellis’ mum Lisa Robinson, 45, has now paid a heartbreaking tribute to her ‘incredible’ boy who ‘touched the lives of so many’.’ “He was the first son, the one and only brother to Oliver Jack, the first grandchild, the first great grandchild, the first nephew, the first cousin. And the incredible first uncle to his nephew, Cruz” she said.

“He was the first and number one everything. He was special from the moment he was born. He was such a huge character. Everyone he met, Ellis left a footprint in their heart. That’s the guy kind of guy he was.”

Ellis’ family said he ‘left a footprint in the heart’ of everyone he met(Image: Submitted)

Before his injury, Ellis was an immensely talented young sportsman. He was part of Rochdale AFC’s academy setup and had trials for England Schoolboys.

He played for a number of local teams including Avro FC, Failsworth Dynamos, Moston Valley, Oldham Town, Manchester County, Curzon Ashton and Ashton United.

He also played basketball, rugby and gymnastics amongst other sports and was a high achiever, both sportingly and academically, Lisa said. He attended The Park nursery, Lyndhurst Primary School and Failsworth School before starting at Oldham College studying sports.

Ellis with mum Lisa(Image: Submitted)

“He was so talented. Whatever he turned his hand or foot to, sporting or otherwise, he smashed it” Lisa said. “He knew his own mind and was very ambitious. The way his mind worked was incredible. He was a cheeky chap. He was so funny and had such a wicked sense of humour.

“He lived and breathed football. He had a motto that he got from his primary school teacher, ‘there’s no place for second place, we’re in it to win it.’ And he took that into everything he did. Everything he did, he gave a 100 million percent.”

Lisa said that following his accident there were moments where what had happened deeply affected him. “For a guy of his ability, who had been through something like that, who wouldn’t suffer mentally? she said.

Ellis with brother Oliver(Image: Submitted)

“But if anyone ever went to him when they were upset, he would always give them guidance and would turn it around and make them feel better” she added.

Lisa said he would often go off on ‘adventures’ including one time he was traced to Milton Keynes where he had travelled alone in his motorised wheelchair in a bid to try and watch the Formula 1 at Silverstone. He also went clubbing with friends, amongst other activities.

“He lived life to the maximum he could”, she said. “He was inspirational. Extremely inspirational. Whatever battles he had, he fought them and came through them.”

Stormzy visiting Ellis at his rehab centre in Southport following his accident(Image: Submitted)

In September 2023, he launched his own clothing range, called Spyne, and went back to college where he began studying accountancy.

“He travelled hours to look at the fabrics and that kind of thing” she said. “He said he could see it taking off. In the next 12 months, he said he could see it going global and the name being up in big lights in London.”

He almost recently became an uncle to his 22 year-old brother Oliver’s now two-year-old son Cruz “The bond he had with Oliver was incredible” Lisa said. “He absolutely doted on Cruz. And he will live on through him. We already see so much of him in him. He’s so clever just like his uncle.”

Ellis with his nephew Cruz(Image: Submitted)

As well as Lisa, Oliver and Cruz, Ellis leaves behind sister-in-law Lacie, Grandad Rick, Grandma Shell, Grandma Ward, Auntie Tracey, Uncle Chris, Auntie Kelly, Auntie Leigh, and Auntie Genna, as well as a large amount of further family and a wide network of friends.

Lisa said his ‘unexpected’ death had been ‘heartbreaking’ for all those who knew him. “We’re devastated” she said. “We just feel so empty.”

Two of his friends have launched GoFundMe pages to raise funds in his honour. His pal Ryley Shaw is taking part in a white-collar boxing match in his memory. Whilst Megan Tindall is taking part in a 10k run to raise money in order to help ‘give him the send-off he deserves.’

Lisa with Ellis and Oliver as young boys(Image: Submitted)

Friend Leighton Browne has also organised a balloon release, at 3pm on Saturday, December 13 on Limeside Park, where Ellis spent many hours playing football.

Tributes have flooded in for Ellis on social media. In a statement, Rochdale AFC said: “Rochdale Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of our former academy player, Ellis Robinson. Ellis suffered serious spinal and neck injuries in 2016, following a freak accident while playing the sport that he loved.

“One of his friends has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the family. He is also taking part in a white-collar boxing match in his memory. Our thoughts are with Ellis’ family and friends at this sad time.”

Football club AFC Limeside held a minute’s silence in memory of Ellis ahead of a recent game.

Lisa said the outpouring of love for him and the amount of messages of support had been ‘overwhelming’ for the family and showed that he was a ‘true inspiration, loved by so many.’

His funeral service is due to take place on Thursday, December 18 at Oldham Crematorium at 10am.