Glentoran’s excellent win on Monday night at Mourneview Park was a cause for double celebration for goalkeeper Elliott Morris. After a bit of a wait following his recent injury the Glentoran number one turned out for a remarkable 600th appearance in a first team jersey.
The Northern Ireland Under 21 and B international joined the Glens for the start of the 2002-03 season from West Bromwich Albion where, after a scoreless FA Youth Cup final against Scunthorpe in 2000, he had saved two penalties and scored one in the penalty shoot out. Contrary to popular belief he did not make his Glentoran debut against Wisla Krakow in the UEFA Cup but five days earlier on 10th August 2002 in a League game against Institute at the Oval, the Glens winning 4-1 with current Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill amongst the scorers. However it was the Wisla game that really showed what a great signing manager Roy Coyle had made with Elliott’s superb performance in the home leg limiting the classy Poles to a 2-0 victory.
In his first season only defeat in the Irish Cup Final against Coleraine robbed him of a clean sweep of the trophies but his career at the Oval has seen him pick up winner’s medals in three League Championships, three Irish Cups, two County Antrim Shields, three League Cups and a Charity Shield
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His 500th appearance came on 26th August 2013 in a League Cup game at Dixon Park against Ballyclare Comrades and on 7th December that season he overtook Alan Paterson’s record of 517 appearances for a Glentoran goalkeeper against Warrenpoint Town at the Oval. Fittingly he kept a clean sheet in both these games and so far has kept the opposition at bay on 226 occasions.
Elliott overtook Paul Leeman’s 597 appearances earlier this season against Cliftonville and he now lies in second place in the all time appearances list behind Colin Nixon’s 794. All we need now is his first goal! Congratulations to Elliott from everyone at Glentoran.
