Ashley Vincent

Ashley Derek Vincent (born 26 May 1985) is an English former footballer who is now the manager of Midland League side Worcester City.

Ashley Vincent
Ashley Vincent playing for Shrewsbury Town in 2014
Personal information
Full name Ashley Derek Vincent[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-26) 26 May 1985[1]
Place of birth Oldbury, England[2]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Playing position(s) Striker / Winger
Club information
Current team
 Worcester City (manager)
Youth career
2001–2003 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 (0)
2004–2009 Cheltenham Town 113 (8)
2005 → Aldershot Town (loan) 3 (0)
2009 → Colchester United (loan) 6 (1)
2009–2012 Colchester United 65 (9)
2012–2013 Port Vale 34 (7)
2013–2014 Cheltenham Town 18 (2)
2014–2015 Shrewsbury Town 8 (0)
2015–2016 Worcester City 12 (0)
2016 Stourbridge
2016–2017 Sutton Coldfield Town
Total 259 (27)
Teams managed
2019– Worcester City
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He played on the wing or as a striker, and was renowned for his pace. He graduated through the Wolverhampton Wanderers youth system to win a contract with Cheltenham Town in May 2004. He spent the next five years at the club, playing in the 2006 League Two play-off final victory. He was loaned out to Aldershot Town in November 2005 and to Colchester United in March 2009, before he joined Colchester permanently in May 2009. He spent three years with the club, before he moved on to Port Vale in July 2012. He helped the "Valiants" to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13, before he re-joined Cheltenham Town in July 2013. He signed with Shrewsbury Town in May 2014, and played a minor role as the club won promotion out of League Two in 2014–15. He later played non-league football for Worcester City, Stourbridge and Sutton Coldfield Town.

He was appointed Worcester City manager in May 2019.

Playing career

Oldbury, West Midlands-born Vincent started his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, spending three years at Molineux and playing in the youth and reserve teams.

Cheltenham Town

In May 2004, Vincent joined League Two side Cheltenham Town on a two-year deal; manager John Ward had previously worked on the coaching staff at Wolves.[3] He made his first team debut on 7 August 2004, replacing John Melligan 68 minutes into a 2–0 win over Southend United at Roots Hall.[4] He won his first start three days later, in a 2–0 home defeat to Scunthorpe United.[5] He scored his first goals on 28 September, bagging a brace in a 5–1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge in the Football League Trophy.[6] He finished the 2004–05 season with three goals in 30 games.

On 18 November 2005, he joined Conference side Aldershot Town on a one-month loan.[7] He played three games for Terry Brown's "Shots" in an uneventful stay at the Recreation Ground. Back with Cheltenham, he scored two goals late into the 2005–06 season to put himself back into first team contention. He played 77 minutes of the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, before he was taken off for Damian Spencer; Cheltenham held on to their 1–0 lead over Grimsby Town to win promotion into League One.[8] Days before the game he signed a new two-year contract with the club.[9]

Vincent picked up a serious knee injury during a reserve team match in August 2006.[10] After missing the rest of the 2006–07 season due to the injury, he marked his return to full fitness on 15 August 2007 with a "stunning" equalizing goal against Swindon Town.[11] He played a total of 40 games in 2007–08, finding the net twice. In July 2008, he signed a new contract with the club; manager Keith Downing stated that "The boy's had a cruciate injury and he's a young one as well. He's still growing, getting bigger, better and stronger."[12] Vincent had explained to Downing that he wanted to play as a striker, rather than his previous position on the right side of midfield.[13] On 26 August 2008, Vincent scored against Premier League side Stoke City in a League Cup encounter.[14] Two months later he was sidelined for six weeks after fracturing his wrist in two places.[15] In February 2009, he rejected manager Martin Allen's offer of a new contract and was linked with a loan move to Bradford City.[16] However, he suffered a medial knee ligament injury the following month, which prevented the deal from going ahead.[16] Despite this setback he remained insistent on a move away from Whaddon Road.[17]

Colchester United

In March 2009, Vincent joined Colchester United on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season.[18] Manager Paul Lambert said that "He's got the enthusiasm and hunger and he'll be a big player for us next season. He's got pace, and when you've got that you've always got a chance."[19] In May 2009, Lambert signed Vincent to a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[20] However Lambert left the club after the first game of the season – a 7–1 win over Norwich City – and was replaced by new boss Aidy Boothroyd. Vincent featured just 21 times in 2009–10, scoring three goals. He went on to feature 42 times in 2010–11, scoring a total of five goals.

Vincent missed six weeks at the start of the 2011–12 season with a knee ligament injury.[21] In an interview given after his recovery, he admitted that he had feared the injury could have ended his career, and also hinted at a move to a Midlands club in the summer so as to be closer to his family.[22] In December, he was struck down by a hamstring injury, which kept him out of action for several weeks.[23] His injuries limited him to just 12 appearances in the campaign, as well as an appearance in the final of the Essex Senior Cup (which ended in a shock defeat to Canvey Island[24]). At the end of the season, manager John Ward confirmed that he had played his last game for the club.[25]

Port Vale

In July 2012, Vincent signed a one-year deal with League Two side Port Vale.[26] He started the 2012–13 season on the wing, opposite Jennison Myrie-Williams, and scored twice in the opening six league games to fire the "Valiants" into second place.[27] After claiming goals against Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers, he was named as League Two Player of the Month in October 2012, but credited his teammates, saying "this award is as much for them as it is for me".[28]

"There's been a lot of deserved praise for Tom Pope's goal scoring record, but Port Vale are no 'one man team' and Ashley's contribution this month was clearly worthy of recognition. So often the architect of goal scoring chances, we're sure Ashley will have enjoyed his goals this month and will want more as the season progresses."

— Emma Collins (npower Sponsorship Manager) explained why the Player of the Month panel picked out Vincent as the star of League Two in October 2012.[29]

He went 12 weeks without a goal before he netted twice in a 3–0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Vale Park on 5 February 2013.[30] On 12 March, he picked up an ankle injury that kept him out of action until the last day of the season.[31] Vale secured promotion with a third-place finish at the end of the season, with Vincent scoring eight goals in 40 appearances. He was offered a new two-year contract, but chose to reject the offer and to search for a new club.[32]

Return to Cheltenham Town

Vincent was linked with a move to Notts County, and also had a trial with Scottish Premier League side Motherwell.[33] He re-signed with Cheltenham Town – now in League Two and managed by Mark Yates – on a one-year deal in July 2013.[34] He said the move was a 'homecoming' for him.[35] He was not in the first team for the first half of the 2013–14 season, and had to wait until February before winning his first start in the league.[36] He was soon frozen out of the first team picture once again and was released in May 2014.[37]

Shrewsbury Town

Vincent joined Shrewsbury Town in May 2014, becoming new manager Micky Mellon's first signing.[38] In mid September he stated that the New Meadow was "the best dressing room I have been in" in terms of team spirit, however he played only a fringe role at the club and failed to make a first-team appearance after a 1−0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle in October 2014.[39] Shrewsbury won promotion at the end of the 2014–15 season as runners-up in League Two, with Vincent leaving the club by mutual consent on 2 June 2015.[40]

Non-league

Vincent signed for National League North side Worcester City in August 2015 following a successful trial spell.[41] However, he left the club after five months when Tristian Dunkley took his place in the first team whilst Vincent was sidelined with illness.[42] Vincent signed for Northern Premier League club Stourbridge in January 2016.[42] Gary Hackett's "Glassboys" went on to finish the 2015–16 season in sixth place, two points outside of the play-offs. He signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division rivals Sutton Coldfield Town on 6 July 2016.[43] He helped the "Royals" to a 20th-place finish at the end of the 2016–17 season, one point above the relegation zone. He extended his contract with the club in June 2017.[44] However they were relegated in last place at the end of the 2017–18 campaign.

Management career

Vincent returned to former club Cheltenham Town as an academy coach in November 2017, combining the role with his job as a football coach at Halesowen College.[45] He was appointed as assistant manager to John Snape at another former club, Worcester City, in May 2018.[46] He had previously agreed to take up the management post at Cradley Town, but backed away from the offer after feeling he would be "fighting against a tide" at the club.[47]

Worcester City

On 16 May 2019, he was appointed manager of Midland League side Worcester City.[48] He was given a vote of confidence by chairman Steve Goode in November.[49] As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in England, the 2019–20 season was formally abandoned on 26 March, with all results from the season being expunged.[50]

Style of play

Vincent could play as a winger, but preferred a more central attacking role.[51] In either position he liked to exploit his pace to run at defenders.[51] As a striker he was often used alongside a target man.[52]

Statistics
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2003–04[53] Premier League 0000000000
Cheltenham Town 2004–05[54] League Two 26110102[lower-alpha 1]2[lower-alpha 1]303
2005–06[55] League Two 162202000202
2006–07[56] League One 5000100060
2007–08[57] League One 37210101[lower-alpha 1]0402
2008–09[58] League One 29332211[lower-alpha 1]0356
Total 113872714213113
Aldershot Town (loan) 2005–06[59] Conference National 3000–1[lower-alpha 2]040
Colchester United (loan) 2008–09[58] League One 6100000061
Colchester United 2009–10[60] League One 19300101[lower-alpha 1]0213
2010–11[61] League One 37520201[lower-alpha 1]0425
2011–12[62] League One 91201000121
Total 71104040208110
Port Vale 2012–13[63] League Two 34721103[lower-alpha 1]0408
Cheltenham Town 2013–14[64] League Two 18200201[lower-alpha 1]0212
Shrewsbury Town 2014–15[65] League Two 80002000100
Worcester City 2015–16[66] National League North 12020001[lower-alpha 2]0150
Career total[lower-alpha 3] 2592715316112230233
  1. Appearance/s and goal/s in the EFL Trophy.
  2. Appearance/s in the FA Trophy.
  3. Statistics for Stourbridge not known.

Honours
Individual
Cheltenham Town
Colchester United
Port Vale
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References
  1. Hugman, Barry J. (ed) (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  2. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 457. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. "Cheltenham sign Vincent". BBC Sport. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  4. "Southend 0-2 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 7 August 2004. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  5. "Cheltenham 0-2 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  6. "Cheltenham 5-1 Dag & Red". BBC Sport. 28 September 2004. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  7. "Shots sign Cheltenham man on loan". BBC Sport. 18 November 2005. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  8. "Grimsby 0-1 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 28 May 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  9. "Vincent and Spencer stay at Town". BBC Sport. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  10. "Vincent injured in reserve clash". BBC Sport. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  11. "Ward praise for Vincent equaliser". BBC Sport. 26 August 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  12. "Vincent extends Cheltenham stay". BBC Sport. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  13. "Downing hopeful of Vincent deal". BBC Sport. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  14. "Cheltenham 2-3 Stoke". BBC Sport. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  15. "Vincent out for six weeks". This is Gloucestershire. 28 October 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
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  17. "Vincent set to leave Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  18. "Colchester wrap up Vincent deal". BBC Sport. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  19. "Vincent to stay with Colchester". BBC Sport. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  20. "Vincent to stay with Colchester". BBC Sport. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
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  33. "Family comes first, claims Vincent after Robins move". The Sentinel. 21 July 2013.
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  37. "Four released, Jason Taylor transfer listed". Gloucester Echo. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  38. "Ashley Vincent: Shrewsbury sign ex-Port-Vale & Cheltenham man". BBC Sport. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  39. "Ashley Vincent lifts lid on life at Shrewsbury". Shropshire Star. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  40. "Ashley Vincent departs Shrewsbury Town". Shrewsweb. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  41. Jordan, John. "New signing". worcestercityfc.com. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  42. "Ashley Vincent joins Stourbridge after Worcester City exit". Worcester News. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  43. "New Signing: - News - Sutton Coldfield Town - The Royals". www.sctfc.com. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  44. "Vincent agrees to stay". sctfc.com. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  45. "Vincent wings in for Academy coaching role". www.ctfc.com. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  46. Berkeley, Geoff (30 May 2018). "Worcester City: Ashley Vincent named as assistant manager". Worcester News. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  47. "I will bring a fresh energy to City, vows Vincent". Worcester News. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  48. "Ex-Cheltenham man Ashley Vincent appointed Worcester City manager | Non League Daily". nonleaguedaily.com. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  49. Mitchell, Andy (12 November 2019). "Worcester City: Chairman takes criticism of manager "with a pinch of salt"". Worcester News. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  50. "Coronavirus: All football below National League to end". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
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  52. "Vale trio to double efforts with single aim of success". The Sentinel. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
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  54. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  55. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
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  58. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  59. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2005/2006 for Aldershot". The Shots. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  60. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  61. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  62. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  63. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  64. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  65. "Games played by Ashley Vincent in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  66. Ashley Vincent at Soccerway
  67. "Tier Four (League Two) Honours". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
  68. Sherwin, Phil; Johnson, Dave (2013), Port Vale This Side Up: 2012-2013 Promotion Celebration, BGL, ISBN 978-0-9926579-0-1
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