Moses Ashikodi
Encyclopedia
Moses Ashikodi is a footballer who plays for York City
as a striker, on loan from Kettering Town
.
, Lagos State
, Ashikodi started his career at Millwall
as an associated schoolboy. Aged 15 years and 240 days, he became the youngest player to make a first team appearance for Millwall on 22 February 2003 following his debut at Brighton & Hove Albion
as a 73rd minute substitute. This also made him the youngest player to make his Football League
debut between 1988 and 2008. Ashikodi went on to record another four substitute appearances for the Bermondsey
club in the 2002–03 season. After the season's completion he was named Millwall's Schoolboy of the Year award for the second successive season, with the winner of the award being chosen by the club's youth academy staff.
Ashikodi's career at Millwall effectively ended in February 2004 after a training ground incident that reportedly saw Ashikodi threaten a team-mate with a plastic knife. The club launched an investigation into the events, and the following month he left the club by mutual consent. A club statement read that "The disciplinary process has been concluded. We wish him the best of luck in his future career."
club West Ham United
in August 2004 on a two-year contract after impressing during a trial. Manager Alan Pardew
said, "We’ve given him a chance. He had a fall-out with his former club so this is a last chance for him. He is a major talent and hopefully he will have learned his lesson with what happened at his last club. Everybody deserves a second chance and to be fair he seems a lot calmer than Tomas Repka
!" He did not make a first-team appearance for West Ham and joined Gillingham
in August 2005 on loan until December 2005. He made four substitute appearances for Gillingham.
club Rangers
during the January 2006 transfer window
after a successful trial period, signing a six-month contract. He made his only appearance for the first team as a late substitute away to Celtic
on 23 April 2006.
for a nominal fee, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. He made his debut for Watford in January 2007, scoring the final goal in a 4–1 FA Cup
win over Stockport County
, his first goal at senior level. He played his first Premier League game against Aston Villa
on 20 January 2007.
side Bradford City
in March 2007. He played eight times for the Bantams, scoring twice. His loan spell was cut short after he sustained a broken leg in a fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion
, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
After recovering from his broken leg, he was quickly loaned out in January 2008 to another League One side, Swindon Town
, for the remainder of the 2007–08
season. He played ten times for Swindon, and scored a hat-trick
for their reserves. He returned to Watford in April 2008 after a loose screw on a plate in his leg required surgery, ruling him out of the remainder of the season.
On 5 August 2008 he was loaned to League One
side Hereford United
until 3 January 2009. He followed in the footsteps of Theo Robinson
and Toumani Diagouraga
, both of whom were loaned from Watford to Hereford the previous season. He scored in his second game for the club, a 2–1 loss to Championship
side Crystal Palace
in the League Cup
. In mid-September he had to return to Watford for treatment on an injury, but subsequently returned to Hereford. Ashikodi had made only eight first team appearances for the Bulls, with one goal scored, by the expiration of his loan deal in January 2009.
Later the same month, Ashikodi played on trial for both Luton Town
, scoring in the side's reserve team game against Peterborough United
, and Shrewsbury Town
, where he scored twice in a reserve fixture.
when he was substituted in the second half by Richard Walker
. Ashikodi scored his first goal for the club a week later in his third game to help Shrewsbury to a 3–2 win against Notts County
. He was released by Shrewsbury in May 2009.
side Kettering Town
. He made his debut as a second half substitute against Altrincham
, scoring once and setting up a second goal in a 2-0 victory. Ashikodi's good start to the season continued with a goal against Ebbsfleet United on 26 September 2009. Ashikodi played his last game for Kettering in the FA Cup game against Leeds United
.
, after he was shown the red card along with team mate Jean-Paul Marna for fighting following a dispute over who should take a penalty.
Ashikodi signed for Conference rivals York City
on loan on 23 November until January 2012, when York will decide whether to extend the deal.
Victory Shield
, scoring in a 1–0 victory against Wales. He also made appearances at the 2003 under-17
Pepsi Tournament, and made a substitute appearance at under-18 level
against Norway. At Under 19 level
, he scored the only two goals in the game against Switzerland on 16 November 2005.
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
as a striker, on loan from Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
.
Millwall
Born in LagosLagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, Lagos State
Lagos State
Lagos State is an administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. The smallest in area of Nigeria's states, Lagos State is the most populous state in Nigeria and arguably the most economically important state of the country and west Africa, containing Lagos, the...
, Ashikodi started his career at Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
as an associated schoolboy. Aged 15 years and 240 days, he became the youngest player to make a first team appearance for Millwall on 22 February 2003 following his debut at Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
as a 73rd minute substitute. This also made him the youngest player to make his Football League
The Football
The Football is a prominent bare rock scar of football shape on the north side of Football Mountain, on the ridge separating Edisto Inlet and Tucker Glacier. The scar is surrounded by an unbroken snow slope and is said to be always visible, though occasionally lightly covered by snow for short...
debut between 1988 and 2008. Ashikodi went on to record another four substitute appearances for the Bermondsey
Bermondsey
Bermondsey is an area in London on the south bank of the river Thames, and is part of the London Borough of Southwark. To the west lies Southwark, to the east Rotherhithe, and to the south, Walworth and Peckham.-Toponomy:...
club in the 2002–03 season. After the season's completion he was named Millwall's Schoolboy of the Year award for the second successive season, with the winner of the award being chosen by the club's youth academy staff.
Ashikodi's career at Millwall effectively ended in February 2004 after a training ground incident that reportedly saw Ashikodi threaten a team-mate with a plastic knife. The club launched an investigation into the events, and the following month he left the club by mutual consent. A club statement read that "The disciplinary process has been concluded. We wish him the best of luck in his future career."
West Ham United
Ashikodi joined ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
club West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in August 2004 on a two-year contract after impressing during a trial. Manager Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew
Alan Scott Pardew is an English football manager and former player, currently the manager of Newcastle United....
said, "We’ve given him a chance. He had a fall-out with his former club so this is a last chance for him. He is a major talent and hopefully he will have learned his lesson with what happened at his last club. Everybody deserves a second chance and to be fair he seems a lot calmer than Tomas Repka
Tomáš Repka
Tomáš Řepka is a professional Czech football defender who is currently playing for Sparta Prague.- Career :Řepka started his career at Banik Ostrava, where he played from 1990 to 1995. He then joined Sparta Prague, where he spent almost three years, before moving to Fiorentina in Italy...
!" He did not make a first-team appearance for West Ham and joined 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...
in August 2005 on loan until December 2005. He made four substitute appearances for Gillingham.
Rangers
Released by West Ham, Ashikodi moved to Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
during the January 2006 transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
after a successful trial period, signing a six-month contract. He made his only appearance for the first team as a late substitute away to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
on 23 April 2006.
Watford
In January 2007, Ashikodi moved to Premier League side WatfordWatford 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...
for a nominal fee, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. He made his debut for Watford in January 2007, scoring the final goal in a 4–1 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
win over Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
, his first goal at senior level. He played his first Premier League game against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 20 January 2007.
Loan moves
Ashikodi was loaned to League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side 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 March 2007. He played eight times for the Bantams, scoring twice. His loan spell was cut short after he sustained a broken leg in a fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
After recovering from his broken leg, he was quickly loaned out in January 2008 to another League One side, Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, for the remainder of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season. He played ten times for Swindon, and scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
for their reserves. He returned to Watford in April 2008 after a loose screw on a plate in his leg required surgery, ruling him out of the remainder of the season.
On 5 August 2008 he was loaned to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
until 3 January 2009. He followed in the footsteps of Theo Robinson
Theo Robinson
Theo Laroyan R. S. Robinson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Derby County.-Watford:...
and Toumani Diagouraga
Toumani Diagouraga
Toumani Diagouraga is a French footballer of Malian descent who plays for Brentford as a central midfielder.-Career:Diagouraga was born in Paris to Malian parents and was spotted by a Watford scout, subsequently joining the Hornets Academy. He signed professional terms in November 2004 aged 16,...
, both of whom were loaned from Watford to Hereford the previous season. He scored in his second game for the club, a 2–1 loss to Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. In mid-September he had to return to Watford for treatment on an injury, but subsequently returned to Hereford. Ashikodi had made only eight first team appearances for the Bulls, with one goal scored, by the expiration of his loan deal in January 2009.
Trials
Ashikodi's contract was terminated by Watford on 2 February 2009.Later the same month, Ashikodi played on trial for both Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, scoring in the side's reserve team game against Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, and Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, where he scored twice in a reserve fixture.
Shrewsbury Town
After a successful trial for Shrewsbury, Ashikodi signed on a contract until the end of the 2008–09 season. He made his debut for Shrewsbury in a 3–0 defeat away at Macclesfield TownMacclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
when he was substituted in the second half by Richard Walker
Richard Walker (footballer born 1977)
Richard Martin Walker is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Conference North side Solihull Moors.-Early Career:...
. Ashikodi scored his first goal for the club a week later in his third game to help Shrewsbury to a 3–2 win against Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. He was released by Shrewsbury in May 2009.
Kettering Town
On 31 August 2009 Ashikodi joined Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
. He made his debut as a second half substitute against Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
, scoring once and setting up a second goal in a 2-0 victory. Ashikodi's good start to the season continued with a goal against Ebbsfleet United on 26 September 2009. Ashikodi played his last game for Kettering in the FA Cup game against Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
.
Ebbsfleet United
Following his release from Kettering, Ashikodi signed for Ebbsfleet on 19 January 2010. On the same day he made his debut and scored a penalty against his former club Kettering.Return to Kettering
In September 2011, Ashikodi attracted negative attention following a red card in a 3-5 loss to Hayes & Yeading UnitedHayes & Yeading United F.C.
Hayes & Yeading United F.C. are an English football club based in Woking in Surrey. They were formed in May 2007 following a merger of Hayes and Yeading. They play at the Kingfield Stadium agreeing a groundshare with Woking-History:...
, after he was shown the red card along with team mate Jean-Paul Marna for fighting following a dispute over who should take a penalty.
Ashikodi signed for Conference rivals York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
on loan on 23 November until January 2012, when York will decide whether to extend the deal.
International career
Ashikodi has played for England at youth levels; he played in the 2002 under-16England national under-16 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the Victory Shield match against Scotland.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England U-16 squad and remain eligible.-External links:*...
Victory Shield
Victory Shield
The Victory Shield is an annual football tournament competed for by the under-16 teams of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The competition is broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports who also sponsor the competition...
, scoring in a 1–0 victory against Wales. He also made appearances at the 2003 under-17
England national under-17 football team
-Elite Qualifying Group 3:-Group stage:-Fifth place play-off:-FA International U17 Tournament:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round....
Pepsi Tournament, and made a substitute appearance at under-18 level
England national under-18 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Slovakia.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England under-18 squad and remain eligible.-References:...
against Norway. At Under 19 level
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
, he scored the only two goals in the game against Switzerland on 16 November 2005.