football firsts
BARROW LEFT-BACK NEIL ASHTON TALKS US THROUGH HIS FOOTBALL MEMORIES
FIRST GAME YOU SAW LIVE?
I shouldn’t really say as a Liverpool fan, but it was an Everton game, which probably won’t go down too well. I can’t really remember who it was against, but I know I won the tickets at an Everton soccer camp. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to know I’ve not been back to Goodison since as a home supporter, only as an away fan.
FOOTBALLING HERO?
It was probably Roberto Carlos. Around that time, when he was at the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan, he was probably the best left-back in the game, and possibly one of the best you’ll ever see. Unfortunately, I can’t say I’m that good at free kicks – certainly not in his bracket, anyway!
FIRST BOOTS?
I’m 31 now, so it’s difficult to remember that far back. They were Quasar Gary Lineker boots. I read last week that Jon Shaw at Gateshead said the same. They must have been popular at the time. We are a similar age, me and Shawy, so that might have something to do with it.
FIRST KIT?
It was the Liverpool kit, back when they were sponsored by Candy. It was silk red and the away strip was grey. There wasn’t a name on the back. They didn’t do it back then – there were just numbers!
FIRST SENIOR GAME?
It was for Tranmere against Brentford, I must have been about 19. The game was most famous for an injury to my team-mate, Simon Haworth, who suffered a severe leg injury during the game. That finished him. I don’t think he ever played again. It wasn’t a great way to start my career.
FIRST GOAL?
It was for Shrewsbury against Darlington, around 2005. I wasn’t at left-back. I was playing either left midfield or centre midfield that day. I wasn’t prolific in those early days. It took me about 40 games to get that first goal. Career-wise, in about 450 games I’ve got around 20 now, but I think, in my first 250 games, I scored only about four.
FIRST RED CARD?
For Wrexham, away at Newport. Not at Rodney Parade, at the old ground, near where the FAW is based nowadays. I brought someone down for a penalty. I wasn’t last man, but the referee thought I had denied a goal-scoring opportunity. I still think it was a bit harsh to be honest. I came at it from an angle and I got a bit of the ball. They missed the penalty, thankfully, so I didn’t get the blame at the end! I’ve got a decent disciplinary record. I’ve only been sent off twice in my career. The other one was at Stockport a couple of years ago for two yellow cards. That was a terrible red card. I got the first booking for time wasting at 2-1 up and then I scored a penalty later in the game. During the celebrations, the manager, Andy Morrell, jumped on my back and the force of that pushed me into the fans. The ref gave me a second yellow for over-celebrating and I was sent off.