Donald Ashman (9 October 1902 – 1984) was an English footballer who made 252 appearances in the Football League playing at left half or full back for Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers and Darlington in the 1920s and 1930s. He began his career in non-league football with Cockfield.
Life and career Ashman was born in Staindrop, County Durham, one of numerous children of Fred Ashman, a former professional jockey whose father had kept a livery stable in Paris, and his wife Lavinia. As a youngster, Ashman played football for Evenwood Juniors, and went on to work as a miner, playing non-league football for Cockfield. In 1924, Second Division club Middlesbrough paid Cockfield a £10 fee and the promise of a friendly match for Ashman's services.
Described on the club's website as a "composed half-back ... blessed with energy and stamina", Ashman went on to establish himself as a first-team regular as Middlesbrough won the 1926–27 Second Division title. He appeared less frequently the following season as Middlesbrough failed to maintain their First Division status, and even less in 1928–29 as they again won the Second Division championship. He played regularly in 1929–30, but after two more years during which he made just 23 appearances, he moved to Queens Park Rangers for a £500 fee.
He appeared intermittently during his first season with the club, but in 1933–34 was ever-present in the left-back position in Third Division South matches, and played in about half of the following season's fixtures. He was transfer-listed in 1935, and was reported to be buying a newsagents in Barnard Castle, County Durham. In July, he was granted a free transfer, and amid interest from York City and other clubs, signed for Third Division North club Darlington on a free transfer. After playing in the first 15 matches of the season, Ashman sustained an injury and was replaced at left back by Charles Allan, who kept his place to the end of the season. Ashman was released on a free transfer, and retired from football.
Ashman married Alice Simpson, daughter of a local councillor, at Cockfield Church in June 1929. The 1939 Register finds the family living in Horse Market, Barnard Castle: Ashman was a self-employed newsagent and member of the Police War Reserve, and Alice was an ambulance driver with the WVS.
Ashman's death at the age of 81 was registered in the second quarter of 1984 in the Lancaster district of Lancashire.
Statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMiddlesbrough1924–25Second Division13000—1301925–26Second Division35010—3601926–27Second Division41130—4411927–28First Division15120—1711928–29Second Division3010—401929–30First Division31060—3701930–31First Division4000—401931–32First Division18010—190Total1602140—1742Queens Park Rangers1932–33Third Division South15000—1501933–34Third Division South42040104701934–35Third Division South2101030250Total7805040870Darlington1935–36Third Division North1400010150Career total2522190502762
References