21 Facts About Len Ashurst

Leonard Ashurst was an English football player, manager and administrator.

Len Ashurst spent most of his playing career with Sunderland, making 458 appearances, the second most in the club's history.

Len Ashurst retired at Hartlepool United, where he began managing.

Len Ashurst managed Sunderland, won the Welsh Cup with Newport County in 1980, and had two spells at Cardiff City.

Len Ashurst was inducted into the League Managers Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

Len Ashurst was signed to the ground staff at Liverpool in 1954.

Len Ashurst worked as an apprentice compositor in the printing trade.

Whilst playing third team football for Wolves, Len Ashurst was approached by Sunderland coach George Curtis, who promised him a professional contract at the club.

Len Ashurst signed professional forms at Sunderland on 27 December 1957, and made his debut for the reserve team the following day.

Len Ashurst went on to make 458 appearances for the club; putting him second in the all time appearances list in Sunderland's history, and one of only two outfield players to top 400 appearances.

Len Ashurst scored four Sunderland goals during his time at the club.

Len Ashurst managed Gillingham, Sheffield Wednesday, Newport County and Cardiff City before returning to Sunderland as manager in March 1984.

Len Ashurst was appointed manager of Newport County in 1978 following the departure of Colin Addison to West Bromwich Albion.

Len Ashurst was manager from 1978 to 1982, the most successful period in the club's history.

Len Ashurst was sacked by Newport County in February 1982 and Addison returned as team manager.

Len Ashurst was manager of Qatari club Al-Wakrah and coached in Malaysia.

Len Ashurst spent two years in Ninian Park before resigning in 1991 as the team struggled both on and off the pitch.

Len Ashurst's last managerial role was a one-year stay at Weymouth.

Len Ashurst was inducted into the League Managers' Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

Len Ashurst married Valerie in her home village of East Rainton in May 1961.

Len Ashurst died on 25 September 2021, at the age of 82.