ASHTON ATHLETIC PLAYERS 2008/2009 (updated 21st Nov 2008)

MANAGEMENT AND MEDICAL TEAM PROFILES

1. DAVID POWELL
Age 45
Manager
Played first game for Ashton as a 17 year old, when the Club competed in the Lancashire Combination and then the NWCFL. Spent four years, whilst studying player coaching the Polytechnic team, and taking the team to a National final and several local league successes. Also turned out for local Leicester based teams Glen Villa FC and Oadby Town FC. Returned to the Club after college playing for the first team until his late thirties in midfield or defence, and still occasionally turns out for the Manchester Surveyors team and Ashton's own vets team. Highlights include league and cup double with Polytechnic team, and playing at the Reebok stadium in a corporate match. Regrets - Never competing in Football's Iconic Competitions the FA Cup & FA Vase.
Reserve team player manger at Ashton for two years before stepping up to first team manager in 2004/5 season in Manchester league and then the Club back into the North West Counties in 2006.

2. STEVE PILLING
Age 43
Asst. Manager
Played 15 seasons at Ashton Athletic as tough tackling defender and could also do a bit in midfield and upfront in his pomp. Achieved 3 Sunday League Premier Division Player of the year awards. Worst moment breaking his leg twice in one season and spending 9 months in plaster. Managerial experience as Reserve Manager then first team Asst Manager of Ashton Town returning to Ashton Athletic in 2006 when the Club returned to the NWCFL

3. KENNY HOPWOOD
Age YES!
Physio
Vastly experienced physio with many previous Clubs, including Curzon Ashton and Oldham Town. Came to Ashton in early Autumn. Former goalkeeper in his playing days.

PLAYER PROFILES

1. JOE BROBBIN
Age 19
Goalkeeper
Played his first game for Ashton Athletic two seasons ago aged 16 having been released from Rochdale FC, and then attracted interest from Macclesfield FC where he spent the whole of last season in their Youth Team. Released by Macc in the summer Joe rejoined Ashton and continues to develop into a great goalkeeper.

2. STEVE WALLACE
Age 25
Full Back/Midfield
Played his first game for Ashton Athletic aged 16 and then moved to higher league football for 3 seasons with Bamber Bridge and St Helens Town before returning to Ashton three seasons ago. Highlights include scoring a hat trick and the winning penalty in a FA cup youth game at Chester.

3. STEVE ROTHWELL
CLUB CAPTAIN
Age 39
Centre half/full back
Played 4 seasons for Ashton Athletic, having previously been at Skelmersdale United, St Helens Town and Congleton. Highlights reaching the last qualifying rounds of the FA cup with Congleton. Biggest regret breaking a leg aged 16 when professional clubs were showing an interest.

4. MIKE BURKE
TEAM CAPTAIN
Age 23
Centre half
Playing in his second season at Ashton Athletic, previously played for Wigan Athletic FC school of excellence, Denton Athletic and South Lancs U18's representative team. Best football achievement was playing for Wigan Athletic at youth level. Spent pre/early season trying his luck at Skelmersdale United before returning the Ashton in September

5. CHRIS LAWTON
Age 22
Centre Half
Playing his second season at Ashton Athletic, having previously played at Horwich RMI. Highlight of career gaining promotion in 2006-07 playing at Horwich RMI Best ground being Rhyl

6. LEE EDMUNDS
Age 34
Defence
Recruited in early season from St Helens Town, and fought his way into the first team having excelled in several reserve team matches. Previously with Harrogate Town and bring much needed experience to a young Ashton team

7. STEVE BENNETT
Age 29
Right Midfield
Played 5 seasons at Ashton Athletic. Previously at Everton youth Academy and Burscough. Highlights - playing at Goodison Park and scoring the winning goal with Burscough in the Liverpool Youth Final. Biggest regret being released by Everton at 14

8. SIMON GALLANDERS
Age 22
Midfield /Forward

9. KEVIN KYNASTON
Age 18
Midfield /Forward
Playing his second season at Ashton Athletic, coming through from the under 18 youth side last season. Free scoring in the reserve team in early season Kevin now finding his feet at first team level. Previously with Wigan Junior Latics, and has representative honours with Greater Manchester Colleges.

10. JOE EVANS
Midfield /forward
Playing his second season at Ashton, having joined in mid season last year from Knowsley South fc. Fought his way into the first team following several strong showings in the Ashton reserve team. Representative honours with Liverpool FA U18 team.

11. DAVID SHERLOCK
Age 18
Midfield /Forward
Playing his second season at Ashton Athletic, previously played for Bolton County Youth team after being released from Bolton Wanderers. Best ground played on is the Reebok Stadium and best achievement is winning a cup final with Bolton. Worst moments scoring an own goal and playing on poor fields

12. PHIL JOHNSON
Age 20
Full Back/Midfield
Playing his first season at Ashton Athletic, previously played for St Helens Town amongst others after his release from Macclesfield Town. Equally comfortable in midfield or at Full Back

13. TOM POTTER
Age 19
Midfield/forward
Playing his third season at Ashton Athletic. Former Everton Academy and then Preston North End youth player released at 16. Also played at Skelmersdale Utd for a year, as well as in a successful St John Rigby College team. Highlights a Youth team game for Preston v Everton but regrets entering a school of excellence instead of playing local football with his mates.

14. NICOLAS BOZONNET
Age 27
Midfield/Forward
French import, having played for Cognac FC in the fifth tier of the French League for 6 years. Now working in the UK to polish up on his English, (but struggling with the Wiganese version of the language!). Joined in the summer before trying his luck briefly at Bamber Bridge in the Unibond and then returning to Ashton in October.

15. MIKE RHEAD
Age 27
Midfield/Forward
Former Wigan Athletic trainee having his second stint at Ashton Athletic. Previous Clubs include Atherton LR and Ashton Town.

16. ADAM WHITE
Aged 21
Midfield
Playing his third season at Ashton Athletic, highlights of Adam's career were representing Wigan Schoolboys aged 13 to 16 and signing for Wigan Athletic School of excellence aged 12. Representative honours with Lancs FA. Previously played for Hindley Jnrs, enjoyed competing in European youth comps. Worst moment - having to take a year out at age 13 after being diagnosed with Osgudslaterz disease.

17. JAMES DEANE
Aged 23
Defender
Joined Ashton after a brief spell at Runcorn Linnets after a stop start time due to injury. Previously at Marine and Kingsley Yth teams before short spells at Southport FC, Vauxhall Motors as a reserve team player. Played his way into Ashton's first team squad with some consistent performances in pre season friendlies and the reserves.

18. GARETH PEET
Aged 18
Left Back/Midfield
Progressed through to the reserves and then the first team squad from last season's successful Ashton under 18 team. Previously with the Wigan Athletic FC school of excellence.

19. MARK COURT
Age 26
Midfield/Defence
Another former Wigan Athletic trainee playing his first season at Ashton Athletic. Previously played for Diamond Valley Utd in the Aussie state league, as well as Daisy Hill, Atherton Colls and Chorley. Best ground played on is the JJB stadium, Careers highlight arriving at Ashton Athletic!

20. PAUL TOWNSHEND
Age 27
Midfield /Forward
Joined Ashton at the start of the 2006/7 season but injury restricted appearances. Returned in determined mood at the start of this season but illness and injury have once again got in the way. Currently working back to full fitness. Previously played for Golborne Sports and Ashton Town. Career highlights include playing for British Universities. Best ground played on being Prenton Park with the worst being Bryn Wreck. Worse moment in football getting injured again!

21. PAUL HYNES
Age 18
Forward
Playing his first season at Ashton, having joined in pre season last year from Knowsley South FC Youth team. Fought his way into the first team in early season and continues to develop into a lively hard working forward.

21. MIKE WINER
Age 20
Midfield
Progressed to Ashton's open age through the Youth team. Former Wigan Athletic School of Excellence player who has also played at neighbours Ashton Town. Also represented Lancashire FA at Youth level.

22. DALE SEALEY
Age 21
Midfield
Recent recruit from local team Digmoor FC, and a run of all action games for the reserves has pushed Dale into first team contention.

23. LEE NOVAK
Aged 16
Goalkeeper
Playing his first season in the open age sides at Ashton Athletic, having joined the youth set up at the end of last season following his release from the Wigan Athletic School of excellence. Already made several excellent first team appearances and adding experience to his undoubted natural ability. Currently representing Lancs FA at Youth level

24. JOE CLAYTON
Aged 18
Goalkeeper
Playing his second season in the open age sides at Ashton Athletic, having joined the Clubs youth set up midway through the 2007/2008 season, playing for both the youth team and the Vodkat League sides. Formerly a trainee at Rochdale, Joe joined Ashton from neighbours Ashton Town. Already made several impressive first team appearances last season and also had a few outing for the Leigh Genesis Reserve Team earlier this season. Previously represented Lancs FA.

ASHTON ATHLETIC PLAYERS 2007/2008

STEVE WALLACE
Age 24
Full Back/Midfield
Played his first game for Ashton Athletic aged 16 and then moved to higher league football for 3 seasons with Bamber Bridge and St Helens Town before returning to Ashton three seasons ago. Highlights include scoring a hat trick and the winning penalty in a FA cup youth game at Chester.

STEVE ROTHWELL
CLUB CAPTAIN
Age 38
Centre half/full back
Played 3 seasons for Ashton Athletic, previously played for Skelmersdale United, St Helens Town and Congleton. Highlights reaching the last qualifying rounds of the FA cup with Congleton. Biggest regret breaking a leg aged 16 when professional clubs were showing an interest.

MIKE BURKE
Age 21
Centre half
Playing in his first season at Ashton Athletic, previously played for Wigan Athletic FC school of excellence, Denton Athletic and South Lancs U18's representative team. Best football achievement was playing for Wigan Athletic at youth level. Worst moment was getting beaten in a Lancashire County cup final after leading 3-0

PATRICK ASPINALL
Age 22
Left Back
Played 8 seasons at Ashton Athletic, and a product of the Club's Youth development policy. Previously played for Garswood Youth and Wigan Athletic school of excellence. Highlights played at Leyland Motors and being in the double winning U12 Town team. Biggest regrets losing key matches

CHRIS LAWTON
Age 22
Centre Half
Playind his first season at Ashton Athletic, having previously played at Horwich RMI. Highlight of career gaining promotion in 2006-07 playing at Horwich RMI. Best ground being Rhyl, worst moment was losing a semi final at school.

MARK COURT
Age 25
Midfield/Defence
Another former Wigan Athletic trainee playing his first season at Ashton Athletic. Previously played for Diamond Valley Utd in the Aussie state league, as well as Daisy Hill, Atherton Colls and Chorley. Best ground played on is the JJB stadium, Careers highlight arriving at Ashton Athletic!

ADAM WHITE
Aged 20
Midfield
Playing his second season at Ashton Athletic, highlights of Adam's career were representing Wigan Schoolboys aged 13 to 16 and signing for Wigan Athletic School of excellence aged 12. Representative honours with Lancs FA youth. Previously played for Hindley Juniors, enjoyed competing in European youth comps. Worst moment - having to take a year out at age 13 after being diagnosed with Osgudslaterz disease in the left knee

STEVE BENNETT
Age 28
Right Midfield
Played 4 seasons at Ashton Athletic. Previously played for Everton youth, Burscough, Highlights playing at Goodison Park and scoring the winning goal with Burscough in the Liverpool Youth Final. Biggest regret being released by Everton at 14.

PAUL TOWNSHEND
Age 26
Midfield /Forward
Join Ashton at the start of the 2006/7 season but injury restricted appearances. Returned in determined mood at the start of the new season and is a growing influence within the squad WHEN NOT INJURED! Previously played for Golborne Sports and AshtonTown. Career highlights include playing for British Universities. Best ground played on being Prenton Park with the worst being Bryn Wreck. Worse moment in football getting injured again!.

DAVID SHERLOCK
Age 17
Midfield /Forward
Playing his first season at Ashton Athletic, previously played for Bolton County. Best ground played on is the Reebok Stadium and best achievement is winning a cup final with Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Worst moments scoring an own goal and playing on poor fields

SIMON GALLANDERS
Age 22
Midfield /Forward
Third season at Ashton Athletic, previously played at Rossendale United and Salford City, Highlights playing for, and captaining England ISFA (Independent Schools FA) for three years and playing at Old Trafford. Regrets Getting released from Bolton in the final year as an Academy player.

TOM POTTER
Age 19
Midfield/forward
Playing his second season at Ashton Athletic. Former Everton Academy and then Preston North End youth player released at 16. Also played at Skelmersdale Utd for a year, as well as in a successful St John Rigby College team. Highlights a Youth team game for Preston v Everton but regrets entering a school of excellence instead of playing local football with his mates.

PAUL McVEIGH
Age 26
Striker
Played at Ashton Athletic for 3 seasons, having previously played for Garswood, St Helens Town, Fife Rangers and Hawkley Hall. Highlights being selected by Crewe Alexandra from school, Regrets scoring the winning golden goal with a header in a cup semi final and banging heads with the keeper and getting concussion.

RICHARD SHARPE
Age 22
Forward
Playing his second season at Ashton Athletic having previously played for Manchester County FA representative side,, Leigh RMI and Atherton LR. Highlights playing at Old Trafford in 1996 prior to an international between Germany and Croatia and also the Reebok stadium in 2001.

DANIEL HITCHEN
Age 21
Forward
In his second season at the Club having previously played for Wigan Athletics youth teams for 6 seasons, and a short spell at Ashton Town. Also plays for Edge Hill College where he is studying. Regrets - None