Don Ashman

Donald Ashman (9 October 1902 – 1984) was an English footballer who made 252 appearances in the Football League playing at left half or full back for Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers and Darlington in the 1920s and 1930s. He began his career in non-league football with Cockfield.[1]

Don Ashman
Personal information
Full name Donald Ashman[1]
Date of birth (1902-10-09)9 October 1902[1]
Place of birth Staindrop, County Durham, England
Date of death 1984 (aged 81)
Place of death Lancaster, England
Position(s) Left half / full back
Youth career
Evenwood Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
– Cockfield
1924–1932 Middlesbrough 160 (2)
1932–1935 Queens Park Rangers 78 (0)
1935–1936 Darlington 14 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Life and career

Ashman was born in Staindrop, County Durham,[1] one of numerous children of Fred Ashman, a former professional jockey whose father had kept a livery stable in Paris,[2] and his wife Lavinia.[3] As a youngster, Ashman played football for Evenwood Juniors,[4] and went on to work as a miner, playing non-league football for Cockfield. In 1924, Second Division club Middlesbrough paid Cockfield a £10 fee and the promise of a friendly match for Ashman's services.[5]

Described on the club's website as a "composed half-back ... blessed with energy and stamina", Ashman went on to establish himself as a first-team regular as Middlesbrough won the 1926–27 Second Division title.[5] He appeared less frequently the following season as Middlesbrough failed to maintain their First Division status, and even less in 1928–29 as they again won the Second Division championship.[6] He played regularly in 1929–30, but after two more years during which he made just 23 appearances,[6] he moved to Queens Park Rangers for a £500 fee.[7]

He appeared intermittently during his first season with the club,[7] but in 1933–34 was ever-present in the left-back position in Third Division South matches,[8] and played in about half of the following season's fixtures.[9] He was transfer-listed in 1935, and was reported to be buying a newsagents in Barnard Castle, County Durham. In July, he was granted a free transfer, and amid interest from York City and other clubs,[10] signed for Third Division North club Darlington on a free transfer.[11] After playing in the first 15 matches of the season, Ashman sustained an injury and was replaced at left back by Charles Allan, who kept his place to the end of the season.[12][13] Ashman was released on a free transfer, and retired from football.[14]

Ashman married Alice Simpson, daughter of a local councillor, at Cockfield Church in June 1929.[15] The 1939 Register finds the family living in Horse Market, Barnard Castle: Ashman was a self-employed newsagent and member of the Police War Reserve, and Alice was an ambulance driver with the WVS.[16]

Ashman's death at the age of 81 was registered in the second quarter of 1984 in the Lancaster district of Lancashire.[17]

Statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Middlesbrough 1924–25[6] Second Division13000—130
1925–26[6] Second Division35010—360
1926–27[6] Second Division41130—441
1927–28[6] First Division15120—171
1928–29[6] Second Division3010—40
1929–30[6] First Division31060—370
1930–31[6] First Division4000—40
1931–32[6] First Division18010—190
Total 1602140—1742
Queens Park Rangers 1932–33[7] Third Division South15000—150
1933–34[8] Third Division South420401[lower-alpha 1]0470
1934–35[9] Third Division South210103[lower-alpha 1]0250
Total 7805040870
Darlington 1935–36[12] Third Division North140001[lower-alpha 2]0150
Career total 2522190502762
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Third Division South Cup
  2. Appearance in Football League Third Division North Cup

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. "Staindrop funeral" (PDF). Teesdale Mercury. 1 March 1944. p. 2.
  3. "1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription Winston Road Staindrop Darlington, Staindrop, Durham, England". Donald Ashman. Age: 9. Birthplace: Staindrop Durham. Census reference: RG14PN29782 RG78PN1723 RD548 SD1 ED9 SN20. Retrieved 8 April 2016 – via Findmypast.
  4. "Existence of junior football club threatened" (PDF). Teesdale Mercury. 23 February 1949. p. 3.
  5. "Any Answers". Middlesbrough F.C. Archived from the original on 7 March 2008.
  6. "Donald Ashman Club stats". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  7. Westerberg, Kenneth. "1932/33". QPRnet.com. Ron Norris. Archived from the original (XLS) on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  8. Westerberg, Kenneth. "1933/34". QPRnet.com. Ron Norris. Archived from the original (XLS) on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  9. Westerberg, Kenneth. "1934/35". QPRnet.com. Ron Norris. Archived from the original (XLS) on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  10. F.C. (29 July 1935). "London's chance. Important bout with former champion. Sports survey". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. "Don Ashman for Darlington". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 9 August 1935. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. Tweddle, Frank (2000). The Definitive Darlington F.C. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-899468-15-7.
  13. "Darlington v. Stockport Co". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 9 November 1935. p. 8 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. "Feethams list. Darlington retain twelve players". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 2 May 1936. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. "Ashman–Simpson". Yorkshire Post. 4 June 1929. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. "Donald Ashman on the 1939 Register". Retrieved 8 April 2016 – via Findmypast.
  17. "England & Wales deaths 1837–2007 Transcription". Donald Ashman. Birth date: 9 Oct 1902. Death quarter: 2. Death year: 1984. District: Lancaster. Register number: 484. County: Lancashire. Volume: 40. Page: 1477. Retrieved 8 April 2016 – via Findmypast.
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