Sam Ashton

Samuel Seth Ashton (born 9 October 1986) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English non-League side Lancaster City. He has previously played for Bolton Wanderers, FC United of Manchester, Skelmersdale United, Southport, Chorley and Ramsbottom United.

Sam Ashton

Personal information
Full name	Samuel Seth Ashton
Date of birth	(1986-10-09) 9 October 1986
Place of birth	Bolton, England
Playing position(s)	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	Lancaster City
Youth career
2001–2005	Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2006	Bolton Wanderers	0	(0)
2006–2011	FC United of Manchester[1]	187	(1)
2011–2013	Skelmersdale United	34[2]	(0)
2012–2013	→ Southport (dual registration)	0	(0)
2013–2017	Chorley	97	(0)
2017–2018	Kendal Town	2	(0)
2018–2019	Ramsbottom United
2019–	Lancaster City
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 October 2016

Career

Bolton Wanderers

Ashton began his professional football career at Bolton Wanderers and, on 7 January 2006, was named as the substitute goalkeeper for Bolton's FA Cup Third Round tie against Watford. However, he came on for the last few minutes of the match as a striker, replacing Jared Borgetti.[3] Ashton also made 18 appearances for the Bolton Wanderers Reserves during his time at the Reebok.

Described by his boss as "the best and most staunch Bolton Wanderers fan in our camp", then Bolton manager Sam Allardyce explained: "He wears a massive tattoo with the club badge on it. He comes from the heart of Bolton and he loves the club so much and is so passionate. He just asked if he could get on for a couple of minutes. We were always ready to play him outfield as he has played at right-back and centre-back for the youth team. I thought it would be a perfect late Christmas present."[4]

Towards the end of the 2005–06 season he was told that he was free to leave Bolton and spent considerable time on trial with non-League sides such as Cambridge United and Radcliffe Borough.

F.C. United of Manchester

On 26 July 2006, he made his debut for FC United of Manchester in a friendly against Bury. He has since made his competitive debut for United of Manchester against St Helens Town, in the first game of the 2006–07 North West Counties Football League Division One season, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory for the away team, played at Knowsley Road. After 140 appearances for the club, he reached a landmark 50th clean sheet on 4 April 2009 against North Ferriby United. Against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup Second Round he saved a penalty in the last minute to earn United of Manchester a replay.

He scored his first career goal in a 4–0 win away to Retford United on 15 January 2011. The ball got caught up in the wind and lobbed the opposing goalkeeper.[5]

He left the club in July 2011 in order to secure more first team football.[6]

Skelmersdale United

Ashton joined Skelmersdale United after leaving F.C. United. In March 2012 he also joined Southport on dual registration forms.

Chorley

In May 2013 Ashton joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Chorley. He was a part of the Chorley team that won the Northern Premier League and gained promotion to the Conference North in 2014. In October 2016 Ashton was ruled out for the season for Chorley with a crucial ligament injury.

Ramsbottom United

In January 2018 he signed for Ramsbottom United after playing two games for Kendal Town over the Christmas period.[7]

Lancaster City

In June 2019 he signed for Lancaster City.

Career statistics

As of match played 24 October 2016

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bolton Wanderers	2006-07[8]	Premier League	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Total		0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
F.C. United of Manchester	2010-11[9]	Northern Premier League Premier Division	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
	Total		0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Chorley	2014-15[9]	National League North	39	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	39	0
	2015-16[9]		42	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	44	0
	2016-17[9]		16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	0
	Total		97	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	99	0
Career total			97	0	7	0	0	0	0	0	104	0

Honours

• Individual
  • 2010–11 FA Cup Player of the Round (1): Second Round Proper

References

1. "1st Team Statistics". FCUM in Russia. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
2. "APPEARANCE/GOAL STATS to April 5th 2012". Pitchero. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
3. "Watford 0-3 Bolton". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. "Goalkeeper scores from 107 yards". Yahoo! Eurosport UK. 22 January 2011. Archived from the original on 23 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
6. Sam Ashton leaves FC United
7. Cunningham, Tony (12 January 2018). "Rams swoop in for keeper Ashton". Rammy United. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
8. "Games played by Sam Ashton in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
9. Sam Ashton at Soccerway. Retrieved 14 January 2020.

External links

• Sam Ashton at Soccerbase