Lee Ashcroft (Scottish footballer) explained

Lee Ashcroft
Fullname:Lee Ashcroft
Birth Date:1993 8, df=y
Birth Place:Barrhead, Scotland[1]
Currentclub:Partick Thistle
Clubnumber:23
Position:Defender
Youthclubs1:Barrhead Boys Club
Youthyears2:2009–2010
Youthclubs2:Hillwood Boys Club
Youthyears3:2010–2013
Youthclubs3:Kilmarnock
Years1:2013–2016
Clubs1:Kilmarnock
Caps1:66
Goals1:4
Years2:2016–2020
Clubs2:Dunfermline Athletic
Caps2:129
Goals2:7
Clubs3:Dundee
Years3:2020–2024
Caps3:83
Goals3:9
Clubs4:Raith Rovers (loan)
Years4:2024
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Club-Update:17:00, 10 August 2024 (UTC)
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Partick Thistle
Caps5:1
Goals5:0

Lee Ashcroft (born 29 August 1993) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a defender for club Partick Thistle. Ashcroft previously played for Kilmarnock, Dunfermline Athletic and Dundee, as well as on loan for Raith Rovers.

Career

Kilmarnock

Raised in Barrhead, Ashcroft was not picked up by a professional club as a youth and had transitioned into local amateur leagues when he signed for Kilmarnock in 2010.[2] He made his senior debut for the club on 11 May 2013, as a substitute in a 3–2 victory against Dundee in the Scottish Premier League[3] and then four days later scored his first career goal in a 3–1 loss against Hibernian.[4] On 14 May 2013, Ashcroft signed a new contract with Kilmarnock, keeping him at the club until 2016.[5] He captained Kilmarnock for the first time on 4 April 2015, aged 21, in a 2–1 defeat to Motherwell at Rugby Park.[6] On 23 May 2016, he was one of six players released at the end of their contract.[7]

Dunfermline Athletic

On 25 May 2016, Ashcroft signed for recently promoted Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic,[8] making his first start for the club in a 3–0 victory over Arbroath in the Scottish League Cup.[9] His first goal for the club was versus Fife rivals Cowdenbeath in the same competition, where he scored from a Kallum Higginbotham free-kick.[10] Ashcroft's first league match for the Pars was versus Dumbarton, and saw him concede a late penalty and receive a straight red for his last-man challenge on former Dunfermline striker Robert Thomson, though Dunfermline ended the match as 4–3 winners.[11]

Ashcroft spent four seasons with the Pars and captained the club for the 2018–19 season.[12] He was released by the club in May 2020 following the expiry of his contract, having appeared in over 160 matches.[13]

Dundee

In July 2020, Ashcroft signed a two-year deal with Dundee.[14] A regular starter throughout the season, Ashcroft scored his first competitive goal for the Dee in a Scottish Cup win against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic.[15] Ashcroft would score his first and second league goals for them in an away win against Alloa Athletic.[16] At the end of the league season, Ashcroft was awarded the Andrew De Vries Player of the Year award, as well as the Player's Player of the Year award.[17] Ashcroft was also named to PFA Scotland's Championship Team of the Year for 2020–21.[18] Along with his impressive defensive performances, Ashcroft would amass 7 goals in all competitions, including one in the 2nd leg of the Premiership play-offs final, and was a major factor in helping Dundee gain promotion to the Scottish Premiership.[19] Ashcroft would also be named to the SPFL's Championship Team of the Season.[20]

During a game against Motherwell in December 2021, Ashcroft would damage a tendon in his hamstring which would require surgery and keep him out for approximately 3–4 months.[21] While out with injury, Ashcroft would sign a contract extension with Dundee, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2023.[22] Ashcroft made his return from injury off the bench in a league game against Hibernian in March 2022.[23] After just two starts however, Ashcroft would experience a recurrence of the hamstring injury against Rangers that would end his season and required surgery again.[24]

Ashcroft would make his return for Dundee off the bench in an away league win over Raith Rovers in August.[25] He would score in his first start of the season in a Scottish League Cup win over Falkirk.[26] Ashcroft would start every game after in a very successful season which would culminate in scoring a goal in the win over Queen's Park which clinched the Scottish Championship title for the Dark Blues.[27] Ashcroft would be named to PFA Scotland's Scottish Championship Team of the Year at the end of the season, as well as being named in the SPFL's Championship Team of the Season.[28] [29]

On 2 June 2023, Dundee announced that Ashcroft had signed a new two-year contract, keeping him there until the summer of 2025.[30] After struggling for game time under new manager Tony Docherty, Ashcroft returned to the first team in January 2024 following injuries in defence, and would score his first goal of the season on 30 January to help Dundee earn a point away to Aberdeen.[31] Despite breaking back into the Dundee squad, a combination of returning squad depth and interest from clubs promising regular playing time made Ashcroft available for a loan, and on 21 February he joined Championship club Raith Rovers on loan until the end of the season.[32] [33] Ashcroft made his debut on 24 February away to Ayr United, but had to come off in the first half after suffering a hamstring injury.[34] Rovers manager Ian Murray confirmed in March that Ashcroft would be out for the season.[35]

On 24 June 2024, Dundee announced that Ashcroft had left the club as his contract had been terminated by mutual consent.[36]

Partick Thistle

The day following his departure from Dundee, Ashcroft joined Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle on a two-year deal.[37] Ashcroft made his debut on 13 July 2024 as a substitute in a 3–2 win over Montrose in the Scottish League Cup group stage, and assisted the winning goal.[38]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kilmarnock2012–13Scottish Premier League3100000031
2013–14Scottish Premiership251000000251
2014–15222000000222
2015–1615020202[39] 0210
Total654202020714
Dunfermline Athletic2016–17Scottish Championship35140413[40] 2464
2017–1833410504[41] 0434
2018–19360105020440
2019–20252005010312
Total12976019110216410
Dundee2020–21Scottish Championship255212041337
2021–22Scottish Premiership161105100222
2022–23Scottish Championship342202140423
2023–24Scottish Premiership81104000131
Total839611328111013
Raith Rovers (loan)2023–24Scottish Championship100010
Partick Thistle2024–25Scottish Championship1000300040
Career total2792014137320335027

Honours

Club

Dundee

Individual

Dundee

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lee Ashcroft player profile. Kilmarnock F.C.. 9 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160407071609/http://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/TeamsPlayer?sPlayer=440&sTeam=398. 7 April 2016. dead.
  2. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/killie-kid-lee-ashcroft-not-3490545 Killie kid Lee Ashcroft not worried about relegation.. he's just thrilled to be playing professional football
  3. Web site: Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock. BBC Sport. 11 May 2013. 27 March 2014.
  4. Web site: Kilmarnock 1-3 Hibernian. BBC Sport. 15 May 2013. 27 March 2014.
  5. Web site: Rory McKenzie & Lee Ashcroft sign new contracts. kilmarnockfc.co.uk. 14 May 2013. 27 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140327235423/http://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/articles/20130514/rory-mckenzie-lee-ashcroft-sign-new-contracts_85961_3178873. 27 March 2014. dead.
  6. Web site: Lee Ashcroft revels in role as Kilmarnock captain. Evening Times. 10 April 2015. 29 September 2019.
  7. Web site: Player Contracts. Kilmarnock F.C.. 23 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160529084047/http://kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=3804&ShowCat=. 29 May 2016. dead.
  8. Web site: Dunfermline sign former Kilmarnock defender Lee Ashcroft . BBC Sport . BBC . 25 May 2016 . 25 May 2016.
  9. Web site: Dunfermline 3 Arbroath 0 . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 19 July 2016 . 29 August 2016.
  10. Web site: Cowdenbeath 0 Dunfermline 3 . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 23 July 2016 . 29 August 2016.
  11. Web site: Dunfermline 4 – 3 Dumbarton . BBC Sport . BBC . 6 August 2016 . 29 August 2016.
  12. Web site: Lee Ashcroft 'fits the bill perfectly' as Allan Johnston names ex-Kilmarnock defender as new Dunfermline captain . Iain . Collin . Deadline News . Capital City Press . 26 July 2018 . 24 May 2020.
  13. Web site: Dunfermline release 17 players to 'protect future of club' . BBC Sport . BBC . 22 May 2020 . 24 May 2020.
  14. Web site: 23 July 2020. Lee is a Dee. 23 July 2020. Dundee FC.
  15. Web site: 9 January 2021. Dundee v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic. 10 January 2021. BBC.
  16. Web site: 19 March 2021. Alloa Athletic v Dundee. 19 March 2021. BBC.
  17. Web site: 9 May 2021. Lee wins De Vries and Player's Player awards. 9 May 2021. dundeefc.co.uk.
  18. Web site: PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year 2021. 17 May 2021. pfascotland.co.uk.
  19. Web site: 24 May 2021. Dundee promoted as Kilmarnock drop down for first time in 28 years. 24 May 2021. BBC.
  20. Web site: 9 June 2021. Championship Team of the Season 2020/21. 9 June 2021. SPFL.co.uk.
  21. Web site: Cran. George. Dundee dealt huge blow as defender Lee Ashcroft set for months on the sidelines. 2021-12-06. The Courier. en-GB.
  22. Web site: 2022-01-07. Lee extends deal. 2022-01-07. Dundee Football Club - Official Website. en-US.
  23. News: Ten-man Hibs earn point at Dens Park . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-03-02.
  24. Web site: Cran . George . Dundee dealt huge blow as Lee Ashcroft ruled out for season - but there's positive news on Charlie Adam . 2022-03-20 . The Courier . en-GB.
  25. News: Raith Rovers v Dundee . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-08-06.
  26. News: Dundee ease past Falkirk into League Cup last eight . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-08-30.
  27. News: Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-05-05.
  28. 1655898923506999298. PFAScotland. Your PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year - as voted for by the players. 9 May 2023. 9 May 2023.
  29. Web site: cinch Championship Team of the Season 22/23 SPFL . 2023-06-14 . spfl.co.uk.
  30. Web site: 2023-06-02 . New contract for Ashcroft . 2023-06-02 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.
  31. News: 'No panic' from Robson as Aberdeen and Dundee draw . 2024-01-31 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  32. Web site: Lee Ashcroft Signs Raith Rovers FC . 2024-02-21 . www.raithrovers.net.
  33. Web site: 2024-02-21 . Dundee: Lee Ashcroft joins Raith Rovers on loan . 2024-02-21 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  34. News: Rovers keep pace at top with victory at Ayr . 2024-02-24 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  35. Web site: Collin . Iain . 2024-03-05 . Raith Rovers boss Ian Murray gives injury update on Keith Watson and confirms Lee Ashcroft blow . 2024-03-06 . The Courier . en-GB.
  36. Web site: 2024-06-24 . Ashcroft departs . 2024-06-24 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.
  37. Web site: Jags add Lee Ashcroft to defensive ranks . 2024-06-25 . Partick Thistle FC . en.
  38. Web site: Partick Thistle vs Montrose: League Cup . 2024-07-13 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  39. Appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
  40. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  41. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
  42. Web site: 9 May 2021. Lee wins De Vries and Player's Player awards. 17 May 2021. dundeefc.co.uk.
  43. Web site: PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year 2021. 17 May 2021. pfascotland.co.uk.
  44. Web site: 9 June 2021. Championship Team of the Season 2020/21. 9 June 2021. SPFL.co.uk.