Ashley John Palmer (born 9 November 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club York City.
Career Palmer progressed through the Barnsley youth ranks but was released in February 2009 and signed for Scunthorpe United where he became youth team captain. Palmer signed his first professional contract in June 2010 on a one-year deal. He made his professional debut on 30 August 2011, in the Football League Trophy 2–0 win over Hartlepool United at Glanford Park.
He joined Southport on loan in January 2012. Later that season he joined Harrogate Town on loan and made his club debut in a 2–1 home defeat to Vauxhall Motors. He was released by Scunthorpe in May 2012.
Palmer signed for Hinckley United in September 2012. He made his debut in a 2–0 home loss against FC Halifax Town a day later. In October, he moved, signing for Droylsden.
In June 2015, Palmer signed for FA Trophy holders North Ferriby United bringing to an end his two-year stay at Buxton. Palmer won promotion to the National League and was awarded Player of the Year at North Ferriby, an accolade he had also received in the 2014/15 season while playing for Buxton.
After spending two seasons at Guiseley, Palmer joined Stockport County in July 2018. Palmer established himself as a crucial member of the Stockport defence in their title winning 2018/19 campaign, often captaining the side in the absence of club captain Paul Turnbull.
Palmer further consolidated his presence in the Stockport back line during the 2019/20 season with a string of highly consistent performances which saw also saw him score five league goals, leaving him Stockport's third top scorer for the season behind Elliot Osbourne and Nyal Bell.
After promotion to the Football League in the 2021–22 season, Palmer signed a new one-year contract with the club in June 2022 to keep him with the club for a fifth season.
On 25 November 2022, Palmer returned to the National League when he signed for Chesterfield for an undisclosed fee, signing an eighteen-month contract.
In June 2025, Palmer joined National League side York City, from where he was loaned to FC Halifax Town in 2026.
International career In March 2022, Palmer was called up to represent England C and made his debut on 30 March 2022 against Wales C, a League of Wales representative team. Palmer captained England on the night.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsScunthorpe United2011–12League One1000001020Southport (loan)2011–12Conference Premier0000—0000Harrogate Town (loan)2011–12Conference North3000—0030Hinckley United2012–13Conference North4000—0040Droylsden2012–13Conference North14100—00141Buxton2013–14NPL – Premier Division — 2014–15 — Total North Ferriby United2015–16National League North44320—00463Guiseley2016–17National League34000—2Appearances in the FA Trophy03602017–1814020—00160Total480200020520Stockport County2018–19National League North40250—7Appearances in the FA Trophy05222019–20National League37510—314162020–21National League33441—314062021–22National League40341—214652022–23League Two3000102060Total153141421017318519Chesterfield2022–23National League21110—202412023–24National League29341—003342024–25League Two152000020172Total656510040747Career total332222331024338028
Honours Stockport County National League: 2021–22
Chesterfield National League: 2023–24
Individual National League Team of the Season: 2021–22
References
External links