Len would have ‘kicked his granny’
Former Sunderland defender and Newport County manager, Len Ashurst, has died at the age of 82.
Ashurst made 409 appearances for the Black Cats – a club record for an outfield player – before moving into management.
He led Newport to the European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finals in 1981 and eventually returned to Sunderland, and took them to the 1985 League Cup final.
Ashurst’s former clubs led the tributes, with Sunderland announcing they would hold a minute’s applause prior to yesterday’s match against Bolton.
Former goalkeeper Jim Montgomery, the only Sunderland player to surpass Ashurst’s playing record, said: “As a player, Lennie would have kicked his granny – because he was a winner.”
Newport tweeted: “Newport County AFC is saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Len Ashurst. Our thoughts are with Len’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Ashurst ended his playing career at Hartlepool, whom he also later managed, and also had managerial spells at Gillingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff.
■ Teenage record signing Hanna Bennison produced a stunning finish as Everton claimed their first WSL win of the season at home to Birmingham. The 18-year-old Sweden international, who was sent on at half-time at Walton Hall Park, struck with 17 minutes remaining to make it 2-1 in a tight encounter.
Midfielder Bennison made no mistake when presented with her opportunity exchanging passes with Toni Duggan before curling an unstoppable shot past the Birmingham keeper.
Everton won 3-1 after Jade Pennock had cancelled out Leonie Maier’s first strike for the Merseyside club with Rikke Sevecke making sure at the death.
It was Birmingham’s third consecutive defeat.