Kevin Ashley Explained

Kevin Ashley
Fullname:Kevin Mark Ashley
Birth Date:31 December 1968
Birth Place:Birmingham, England
Position:Right back
Youthyears1:1984–1986
Youthclubs1:Birmingham City
Years1:1986–1990
Clubs1:Birmingham City
Caps1:57
Goals1:1
Years2:1990–1994
Caps2:88
Goals2:1
Years3:1994–1996
Caps3:36
Goals3:0
Years4:1996
Clubs4:Doncaster Rovers (loan)
Caps4:3
Goals4:0
Years5:1996–1998
Clubs5:Telford United
Caps5:47
Goals5:3
Years6:1998–2000
Clubs6:Bromsgrove Rovers
Years7:2000
Clubs7:Paget Rangers
Caps7:1
Goals7:0

Kevin Mark Ashley (born 31 December 1968) is an English former professional footballer who played as a right back. He made 184 appearances in the Football League, scoring twice.

Career

Ashley was born in Kings Heath, Birmingham. He began his career under the YTS scheme with his local club, Birmingham City, and progressed to the first team,[1] making his debut on 12 April 1987 in a 1–0 defeat to local rivals West Bromwich Albion.[2] He made 66 appearances in all competitions before moving to their Midlands neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers for £500,000 in September 1990.[1]

He made his Wolves debut as a substitute in a 1–1 draw at West Ham United on 15 September 1990 but had his first season disrupted by injury. He regained his fitness for the following season and was almost ever-present. However, his injury troubles resurfaced and he never played for the club after April 1993. In total, he made 99 appearances for the team.

He was given a free transfer to Peterborough United in August 1994, but was unable to hold down a regular place and spent a spell on loan at Doncaster Rovers in 1996.[3]

He then moved into non-league football, first with Telford United of the Conference,[4] and then with Southern League clubs Bromsgrove Rovers[5] and Paget Rangers, for whom he made one appearance before injury to his knee forced him to give up the game in 2000.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Matthews, Tony . Birmingham City: A Complete Record . 1995 . Breedon Books . Derby . 68 . 978-1-85983-010-9.
  2. Matthews, p. 222.
  3. Web site: Kevin Ashley . doncasterrovers.co.uk . Forward Productions . 10 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215905/http://www.doncasterrovers.co.uk/players/AtoC/Ashley,%20Kevin.htm . 23 September 2015.
  4. Book: John . Harman . Alliance to Conference 1979–2004: The first 25 years . Tony Williams . 2005 . 978-1-869833-52-7 . 677, 693.
  5. News: Rovers release former Blues man . Worcester News . 11 April 2000 . 2 December 2019.
  6. News: Ashley's first also his last for Paget . Birmingham Post . Colin . Stoner . 1 September 2000 . 21 July 2021 . Gale OneFile: News . subscription.