Raith Rovers have announced that Laurie Ellis will be leaving the club at the end of this month.
The Kirkcaldy side lost manager Ray McKinnon to Dundee United earlier this week and Courier Sport understands Ellis will be joining him at Tannadice as his assistant.
Ellis, who had a long and distinguished playing career with Rovers, was McKinnon’s No.2 during his tenure at Stark’s Park.
Now, after 14 years with the club, he is set to leave and while Raith are sad to see him go, they paid the 36-year-old a glowing tribute.
In a statement, the club said: “We are very sorry to have to announce that, despite strenuous efforts to retain his services, player/coach Laurie Ellis has decided he does not wish to stay with the club beyond the end of May.
“Laurie has served the club with distinction as a player in three spells totalling 14 years, the last four of which as 1st team and youth development coach under three successive managers, John McGlynn, Grant Murray and Ray McKinnon.”
Rovers CEO Eric Drysdale added: “Throughout his career at Raith Rovers, Laurie has been a model professional, acting throughout with complete integrity and professionalism.
“His playing career enjoyed many highlights, and his work in recent times on youth development has been instrumental in developing emerging talent such as Lewis Vaughan and Ross Callachan plus a host of prospective and apprentice professionals.
“Laurie will be badly missed at Stark’s Park but it goes without saying that he leaves with our very best wishes for what we are sure will be a distinguished coaching career.”
