ANDY ELLIS is looking to go out on a high after confirming he will be hanging up his boots for good at the end of the season.

The York City Knights hooker will make his 350th and final career appearance at Bootham Crescent against Whitehaven on Sunday as the table-toppers look to secure the Betfred League One title.

During a career spanning 17 years, the 33-year-old has been named the Championship’s Man of Steel, turned out at Super League level for Harlequins and Wakefield Trinity, and helped Featherstone Rovers top the Championship two years running.

“I’ve done alright with myself,” Ellis said, “I’ve done plenty and enjoyed every moment of it.

“It’s like going on holiday – you don’t realise how good it was till you get home and think ‘I wish I was back there’.

“I’m at a team now with friends and supporters who are amazing. The team’s on the up and hopefully finishing top of the table.

“I thought I might as well go out on a high rather than try another season and not be able to put my full self into it.

“Winning the league would be a nice way to sign off.

“Hopefully now I can create some new memories that aren’t rugby-based and have a nice happy ending to the story.”

Ellis began his pro career as a teenager with Hull KR, scoring 18 tries in 50 appearances and lifting the old Northern Rail Cup in 2005 with victory over Castleford.

His three seasons at Barrow Raiders saw him take them up to the Championship, where he was named the Man of Steel after leading them to the 2009 title and another Northern Rail Cup final, scoring 53 tries in 94 games.

He spent nearly three years in Super League, making 49 appearances in total, before moving to Featherstone, initially on loan, in 2012. He made 122 appearances for Rovers before briefly retiring at the end of 2016.

He came out of retirement to join York in March 2017 and has since made 34 appearances for the Minster city side

Coach James Ford said: “To make 350 professional appearances is an enormous achievement and it’s testament to his playing ability and professionalism in keeping himself fit.

“I’m sure he could play for a while longer yet but obviously he’s made the decision to retire at the end of the season.

“He told the staff a few weeks ago and the players this week, and the boys will be desperate to finish the season positively for him.

“The result (on Sunday) is first and foremost the most important thing, and Andy would be the first to acknowledge that.

“He’s had a huge impact on our season and has won games for us on his own – at Hunslet we looked very ordinary until Andy took the game by the scruff of the neck.

“He’s keen to finish the season and a wonderful career in the right way. He’ll be in the 17 on Sunday, and rightly so.

“Andy has been a remarkable player for us and throughout his career, and I’ve learned a lot from him.

“He has played an active role in the development of Harry Carter and Will Jubb, and they will benefit from his involvement and experience.

“We wish Andy all the best for what’s to come. I’m sure there’s a new chapter to come and whatever he does he’ll dedicate all his focus to.”