Ray Ashton

Ray Ashton
Personal information
Born (1960-10-26) 26 October 1960 (age 63)
Widnes, Lancashire, England
Playing information
PositionScrum-half, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1979–87 Oldham 212 72 4 26 275
1987–89 Leeds
1990–91 Workington Town
1993–96 Bramley
Total 212 72 4 26 275
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1983 Great Britain U-24 3 3 0 0 12
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1990–91 Workington Town
1991 Lancashire
1993–96 Bramley
Total 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Ray Ashton (born 26 October 1960) is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach who played as a scrum-half or stand-off. He started his career at Oldham and went on to play for Leeds before finishing his career at Workington Town and Bramley as a player-coach. He was also selected for the 1984 Great Britain Lions tour.

Playing career

Oldham

Ashton started his professional career at Oldham, signing from Widnes Tigers in 1979. He made his debut on 16 September 1979 in the John Player Trophy against Leeds.[3]

While at Oldham, he was selected to play on the 1984 Great Britain Lions tour, but did not feature in any Test matches.

Leeds

In January 1987, Ashton was signed by Leeds for a fee of around £40,000.[4] He played in the 1987–88 John Player Special Trophy final for Leeds, losing 14–15 to St Helens.

He was part of the team which won the 1988–89 Yorkshire Cup, defeating Castleford 33–12 in the final at Elland Road.[5]

Coaching career

In July 1990, Ashton was appointed as player-coach at Workington Town.[6] In September 1991, he coached Lancashire in the War of the Roses against Yorkshire.[7] He was sacked by Workington in December 1991.[8]

In September 1993, he was appointed in a player-coaching role by Bramley.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Ray Ashton". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Player Summary: Ray Ashton". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Ray Ashton". Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  4. ^ Normandale, Bob (15 January 1987). "Rugby transfers". Oldham Advertiser. p. 32 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "1988 Elland Road memories return". Leeds Rhinos. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Sport in shorts". Oldham Advertiser. 12 July 1990. p. 36 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (10 September 1991). "Crooks given another chance". The Guardian. London. p. 13. ProQuest 187270616.
  8. ^ "Coach pays for high mileage". The Guardian. London. 12 December 1991. p. 17. ProQuest 187305498.
  9. ^ Huxley, John (17 September 1993). "Salford want Webster". The Guardian. London. p. 21. ProQuest 187445283.