Barry Ashby
Encyclopedia
Barry John Ashby is an English
former professional footballer who played as a centre-half. He played for Watford
, Brentford
and Gillingham
during a 17-year professional career.
Ashby started his career at Watford, having played for Middlesex and London schools teams. As a schoolboy he first became attached to the club in October 1985, before becoming a trainee in July 1987. He won the 1988–89
FA Youth Cup
with Watford, forming a defensive partnership with Jason Soloman
. He signed a professional contract in December 1988.
Played as both a centre half and full-back by Watford, Ashby's first goal was one of seven scored against Bradford City
in December 1989. In March 1994 Watford signed Brentford
centre-half Keith Millen
for £65,000 and Ashby, who was valued at £35,000 in the exchange. Ashby went on to play 120 league games for Brentford in three years at the club.
During his time at Gillingham, Ashby made over 320 appearances. He was released on 31 May 2005 after he turned down a contract extension. He made a return to football with Welling United
, where he linked up with his former team-mates Matt Bodkin
and Adrian Pennock
, the latter being the Welling manager at the time. Ashby left Welling in May 2006.
On 22 May 2008 Ashby was appointed first-team manager of Margate
, but was dismissed from his post just five months later.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer who played as a centre-half. He played for Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
and Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
during a 17-year professional career.
Ashby started his career at Watford, having played for Middlesex and London schools teams. As a schoolboy he first became attached to the club in October 1985, before becoming a trainee in July 1987. He won the 1988–89
1988-89 in English football
The 1988–89 season was the 109th season of competitive football in England.-Hillsborough disaster:On 15 April, a crowd crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough killed 94 people and injured more than 300. A 95th Liverpool supporter died in hospital...
FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
with Watford, forming a defensive partnership with Jason Soloman
Jason Soloman
Jason Rafael Soloman is a retired English professional footballer who played as a defender. Soloman made over 100 league appearances for a number of clubs between 1990 and 1997, before playing non-league football.-Career:...
. He signed a professional contract in December 1988.
Played as both a centre half and full-back by Watford, Ashby's first goal was one of seven scored against Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in December 1989. In March 1994 Watford signed Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
centre-half Keith Millen
Keith Millen
-External links:...
for £65,000 and Ashby, who was valued at £35,000 in the exchange. Ashby went on to play 120 league games for Brentford in three years at the club.
During his time at Gillingham, Ashby made over 320 appearances. He was released on 31 May 2005 after he turned down a contract extension. He made a return to football with Welling United
Welling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
, where he linked up with his former team-mates Matt Bodkin
Matt Bodkin
Matthew James "Matt" Bodkin is an English footballer, who plays as a winger for Margate.-Career:Bodkin began his career as a trainee with Nottingham Forest, turning professional in May 2003. He failed to make the first team with Forest and was released in May 2004...
and Adrian Pennock
Adrian Pennock
Adrian Barry Pennock is a retired English footballer player turned manager. His playing career was spent mainly at AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham.-Playing career:...
, the latter being the Welling manager at the time. Ashby left Welling in May 2006.
On 22 May 2008 Ashby was appointed first-team manager of Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
, but was dismissed from his post just five months later.