28 Facts About Dean Ashton

Dean Ashton was born on 24 November 1983 and is an English former professional footballer.

Dean Ashton made over 240 appearances as a forward in the Football League and Premier League for Crewe Alexandra, Norwich City and West Ham United, and was capped by England.

Dean Ashton was highly praised as a talented centre forward, but had a career frustrated by injury.

Dean Ashton retired on 11 December 2009, aged 26, after failing to recover from a long-term ankle injury sustained during international duty with England.

Dean Ashton was a product of Crewe's renowned youth development policy under manager Dario Gradi.

Dean Ashton's first start arrived in an FA Cup clash against Cardiff City in January 2001.

Dean Ashton finished his first season at the club with eight goals, including crucial ones against Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth, Gillingham and Wimbledon towards the end of the season as Crewe secured their First Division status.

Many of the pundits believed that Dean Ashton would be the key to Norwich's survival.

Dean Ashton scored many important goals in Norwich's fight for survival, including the deciding goals against Newcastle and Birmingham.

Norwich however, were relegated in 2005 and even with a host of Premier league clubs interested in him, Dean Ashton decided to stay at the club in the next season in an attempt to win promotion back into the Premier League.

Dean Ashton re-stated his commitment to the club in the summer of 2005 by signing a contract-extension until 2009.

Dean Ashton's future looked increasingly uncertain after missing the FA Cup match against West Ham through injury which meant Ashton was not cup-tied.

On 22 January 2006, the day the transfer was announced, Dean Ashton agreed personal terms with the club and underwent a medical later in the day.

In West Ham's semi-final against Middlesbrough, Dean Ashton broke Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer's cheekbone.

Dean Ashton caught Schwarzer with his elbow in an aerial challenge in the first half.

Dean Ashton however, made an apology to Schwarzer and to 'Boro fans and said that it was accidental and that no malice was intended.

Dean Ashton had been a doubt in the build-up to the match after picking up a hamstring injury in the Premier League match versus West Bromwich Albion.

However, despite not participating in any intensive training before the final, Dean Ashton declared himself fit, and duly produced one of the most impressive displays in his short time at West Ham.

Dean Ashton scored 6 goals in 16 appearances in his first half-season with the club.

Dean Ashton admitted he had doubted whether he would ever return to top class football and was excitedly looking forward to next season, saying, "I don't think there will be a hungrier player in the Premier League this season than me".

Dean Ashton scored his first goals for a year in the pre-season matches against Leyton Orient and Roma.

Dean Ashton signed a new five-year contract at West Ham in June 2008, keeping him at the club until 2013.

On 11 December 2009, West Ham announced that Dean Ashton had retired, aged 26, after failing to recover from a long-term ankle injury originally sustained during an international training session, in August 2006, following a tackle from Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Dean Ashton made 56 appearances in all competitions for West Ham, scoring 19 goals, but at his retirement had not played since appearing against West Bromwich Albion on 13 September 2008.

In 2013, Dean Ashton started his own claim for work injury compensation for loss of future earnings following his 2006 injury while playing for England.

Dean Ashton progressed through the England youth set up, racking up an impressive goal-to-game ratio.

Dean Ashton was recalled to the England squad and was fit to face Estonia.

In May 2008, Dean Ashton was named in McClaren's successor, Fabio Capello's, squad for the USA and Trinidad and Tobago friendlies.