DJ_NUFC Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=696429&sec=england&cc=5901 Ashton expected to retire By Soccernet staff November 9, 2009 Comment Email Print West Ham striker Dean Ashton is expected to officially announce his retirement from professional football by the end of this week. Empics Dean Ashton: Struggled with injury. Ashton has not played a first-team game for 14 months and the Hammers have resigned themselves to losing the 25-year-old, who has struggled to fully recover from an ankle injury suffered at England training in August 2006. It is believed West Ham are likely to seek compensation in the form of a £7 million insurance claim against the Football Association after medical experts revealed the striker has little chance of competing at the highest level again. The player may also take action, though it is not certain whether it would be against the FA or Shaun Wright-Phillips - whose tackle caused the initial ankle injury. Ashton was a product of the famous Crewe Alexandra youth system, which saw manager Dario Gradi bring through the likes of Daviud Platt Danny Murphy, Robbie Savage and Neil Lennon. After playing more then 200 games for the Railwaymen, he became Norwich City's record signing when he joined the Canaries for £3 million in 2005. A string of impressive performances and 17 goals in 44 league appearances earned him a move to West Ham in January 2006 for £7.25 million, where he became a first-team regular. He has scored 19 goals for the Hammers in 43 games, but for the past three-and-a-half years, the striker has found fitness hard to come by. The ankle break at England training ruled him out for the whole 2006-07 campaign and though he did return, scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances in the 2007-08 campaign, he broke down in new manager Gianfranco Zola's first training session in September 2008. England boss Fabio Capello rated Ashton highly and tipped him to make a big impact on the international stage, handing him his Three Lions' debut in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago last summer. Zola has persistently refused to write-off Ashton but it is understood that the striker has had to admit defeat because of chronic degeneration in the ankle. It is believed he cannot twist or turn or take any impact on the joint and is also in constant discomfort. He has also been given a grave warning that he may be unable to walk properly if he continues to try and play football and may require further surgery in any case. Just last Friday, Zola reiterated the view that he still hoped Ashton would recover but after taking advice from specialists including Dutch surgeon Niek van Dyke, who originally operated on Ashton, West Ham have reluctantly accepted that the striker's career is over. The FA beefed up its insurance cover after a dispute with Newcastle United following Michael Owen's injury in the last World Cup but the Ashton claim will have to be dealt with by the previous company. The announcement is a big blow to West Ham, who have become heavily reliant on Carlton Cole to provide their firepower, though the club will be hoping to recoup some money through its compensation claim, which would likely be used to bolster Zola's attacking options. ------------------------------ A sad end to a very, very promising career. At one point he could've been the top English striker; certainly built and played like the old-fashioned center-forward. I know he has his fans around here, and tell you what fellas, it's a shitty end. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 That overhead kick he scored at Old Trafford was brilliant. A great shame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenham Mag Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Only 25 , great shame. Was class on his day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icemanblue Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Always thought he'd end up playing for us one day. Come to think of it, this probably means he will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Always thought he'd end up playing for us one day. Come to think of it, this probably means he will. No doubt our medical staff and coaches would have been blamed for this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakie Doke Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 first Sibierski now this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MW Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Always thought he'd end up playing for us one day. Come to think of it, this probably means he will. Same, always saw him coming here at one point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Shame that like. Always wanted us to sign him since he was at Crewe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Great striker on his day. If it wasn't for Gerrard, the 2005 FA Cup Final would have been known as the Ashton Final. Great shame, he definitely deserves a massive payoff from the FA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keefaz Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Thought he would've been a top, top player. Shame that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
80 Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Shame that like. Always wanted us to sign him since he was at Crewe. Likewise. Bit of a clichéd response, but a great shame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superior Acuña Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Such a shame. Also thought he'd come here! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Can only repeat what others have said, such a shame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Wonder who the first person in this thread will be not to say the word "shame"? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Fanny hair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Segun Oluwaniyi Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Depressing. edit: also a shame. Careers should never be this short. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
olliemort Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Damn read first part thought it was going to say possibly join us on loan.Still only 25 though,fuckn Dyer hasnt retired yet.Hope he doesnt retire,would be a waste of talent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Ah man, Im pretty gutted about this. I really like him as a player, he could have quite easily become the new Sheringham imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
80 Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Depressing. edit: also a shame. Careers should never be this short. As the Japs say, the nail that sticks out will get hammered flat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Wonder who the first person in this thread will be not to say the word "shame"? Una pena. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Awful for him. Not nice for him to have his career cut short. So much promise too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Heneage Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Bad luck is an understatement, only made it to 25. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alan Shearer 9 Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 RIP, shame Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattynufc Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 RIP, shame Eh? Shamehe has to retire like. Can;t even remember SWP's tackle on him that caused it tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley17 Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 RIP, shame Eh? Shamehe has to retire like. Can;t even remember SWP's tackle on him that caused it tbh. It was in an England training session Ashton has not played a first-team game for 14 months and the Hammers have resigned themselves to losing the 25-year-old, who has struggled to fully recover from an ankle injury suffered at England training in August 2006 The player may also take action, though it is not certain whether it would be against the FA or Shaun Wright-Phillips - whose tackle caused the initial ankle injury Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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