Boston United defender Paul Ellender has asked to leave York Street.

Ellender has handed in a transfer request because of limited first-team opportunities in recent weeks.

"It wasn't an easy thing to do but I had to think of my future playing career," he said.

"I don't think there are the options for me to play regular first-team football any more at Boston.

"Thommo has brought a few lads in that are doing a good job and I have to be realistic and say my future lies elsewhere. Now I'll just have to see what comes along.

"Now I think it is time for me to look elsewhere because I still have a few good years ahead of me,"" Ellender told the Lincolnshire Echo.

Ellender joined the Pilgrims in August, 2001 after being sold by Scarborough boss Neil Thompson, now in charge at Boston, for an undisclosed fee which is believed to be the club's biggest ever.

The 28-year-old helped Boston to the Nationwide Conference title last season but following injury problems has not figured in Thompson's side since early November.