Ellis Harrison

Conference promotion (2014–15)

Harrison initially featured sporadically at the start of the 2014–15 season. Still, he scored late winners against F.C. Halifax Town and Lincoln City in August and September, respectively. He scored his first professional hat-trick in the FA Cup fixture away to Dorchester Town. Harrison ended the season with 17 goals in league and cup, including six in the final five league fixtures as Rovers finished just one point off top of the league and with it automatic promotion. Harrison was sent off in the play-off semi-final game with Forest Green Rovers, but returned for the final at Wembley Stadium where he scored the crucial equalising goal against Grimsby Town. Rovers went on to win the game on penalties to return to the English Football League at the first time of asking.

League Two promotion (2015–16)

The 2015–16 season saw Harrison regularly feature, both in the starting line-up and from the substitutes bench, until the end of 2015 when he was often an unused substitute. On 17 January 2016, he agreed to join fellow League Two side Hartlepool United on a month-long loan to attain more game time. He did not impress Pools manager Ronnie Moore during his time at Victoria Park. As Ellis returned to Rovers from his loan spell, he scored a crucial late equaliser against league leaders Northampton Town. This proved to be important for the club's automatic promotion race, as Rovers went up on goal difference with a victory over Dagenham & Redbridge on the final day. Harrison scored eight goals in 32 games for Rovers, also appearing twice for Hartlepool. He signed a new deal in June 2017 following what he called a "very disappointing" season in which he scored nine goals in 42 games. He won the January 2018 goal of the month award for League One with his solo effort against Doncaster Rovers late on in a 3–1 victory. He ended the 2017–18 campaign with 14 goals in 49 matches, helping the Gas to a 13th-place league finish.

Ipswich Town On 23 July 2018, Harrison signed a two-year deal (with an option for a third year) with Championship club Ipswich Town, joining the club for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £750,000. Manager Paul Hurst said he "has got a little bit of everything" as he looked to make him the focal point of his team's attack. However, Harrison was dropped after five games and played out of position on the left side of midfield before he suffered an ankle ligament injury in training in September, which ruled him out of action for two months. He scored his first goal at Portman Road in a 1–1 draw with Sheffield United on 22 December. That would be his only goal for the Tractor Boys during his nine starts and eight substitute appearances throughout the 2018–19 relegation campaign as he was struck down with a back injury in February. Harrison later credited coach Marcus Stewart with improving his game.

Portsmouth On 21 June 2019, Harrison signed for League One side Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee, believed to be worth £450,000. He scored ten goals in 39 appearances during the 2019–20 season, which was stopped early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Portsmouth finishing in the play-offs on points per game.

He scored six goals in 31 games during the 2020–21 campaign, which saw Pompey miss out on the play-offs by two points. He was linked with moves to League One rivals Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday among others, but opted to stay at Portsmouth. On 7 September, he scored a third career hat-trick in a 5–3 EFL Trophy defeat to AFC Wimbledon. He scored a total of four goals in 14 appearances in the first half of the 2021–22 season, though he started just one league fixture, and opted to leave the club after manager Danny Cowley told him he would not be offered a new contract in the summer.

Fleetwood Town On 8 January 2022, Harrison joined League One side Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut that day, scoring the only goal in a relegation six-pointer victory over Doncaster Rovers. Manager Stephen Crainey said that "hopefully, he can follow that up and build on it with a few more". With Fleetwood having survived relegation on goal difference, Harrison signed a new one-year contract with the club at the end of the 2021–22 season, having scored six goals in 18 matches since arriving at the Highbury Stadium.

Port Vale On 11 August 2022, Harrison signed for League One club Port Vale for an undisclosed fee. Manager Darrell Clarke said: "I know a lot about Ellis because I made him, no disrespect to him, but Ellis would tell you that himself". He scored his first goal for the Valiants in a 2–1 defeat at Milton Keynes Dons six days later. He developed an effective strike partnership with James Wilson and was named as Vale's Player of the Month for both August and September. His overhead kick against former club Bristol Rovers on 22 April was voted as the club's goal of the season. He was the club's top-scorer in the 2022–23 campaign with 11 goals in 34 games. Harrison left the club on transfer deadline day after a replacement was secured in Ryan Loft.

Milton Keynes Dons On 1 September 2023, Harrison signed for League Two club Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut on eight days later as a 67th-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw with Notts County at Stadium MK. He scored eight goals from 35 appearances in the 2023–24 campaign, including two appearances in the play-off semi-final defeat to Crawley Town. On 4 February 2025, he signed on loan at fellow League Two club Walsall until the end of the 2024–25 season. The Sadlers reported that they had beaten competition from in League One and League Two for his signature and head coach Mat Sadler felt his "wealth of experience" would be "vital" as the league leaders looked to recover form following the departure of top-scorer Nathan Lowe. He was released by MK Dons upon the expiry of his contract.

Return to Bristol Rovers On 29 July 2025, Harrison returned to League Two club Bristol Rovers on a one-year deal, once again reuniting with manager Darrell Clarke, whom had also returned to the club earlier in the summer. On 23 August, he scored his first goal since his return, the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Cambridge United. On 25 April 2026, Harrison scored a hat-trick as Rovers defeated Cheltenham Town to secure their eighth consecutive win, a run that saw Harrison score seven goals in this period. Following the match, as his third goal saw him reach double digits for league goals, manager Steve Evans suggested that he was keen to extend Harrison's contract beyond the end of the season. He was named as the club's Player of the Month for April, and nominated as League Two Player of the Month for his six goals in 260 minutes on the pitch. He scored 14 goals in 44 games over the course of the 2025–26 season,

International career Harrison was called up to the Wales under-21 squad for the fixture against Moldova on 22 March 2013. He made his Wales under-21 debut on 11 October 2013, in a 2–0 win over Lithuania. He scored his first international goal while gaining his second cap in the 4–0 win over San Marino four days later in a 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification game at Nantporth. He scored two further goals in the nation's unsuccessful qualification attempt for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, in victories home and away against Armenia. He won a total of 14 caps at under-21 level, scoring three goals.

Style of play Harrison has been described as a "physical" centre-forward by manager Darrell Clarke, who praised his stamina. He is a good all-round attacker who can hold the ball up well.

Career statistics

Honours Bristol Rovers Conference Premier play-offs: 2015