Ian Ashbee
Encyclopedia
Ian Ashbee is an English
professional footballer currently playing for Preston North End
. He has previously played for Hull City
, Derby County
and Cambridge United
, and has also played in Iceland
, on loan to ÍR
.
in June 2002 in League Two
he suffered a nightmare start to his Hull career as he was sent off on his debut. This was, however, due to his no-nonsense approach on the pitch and he soon became a firm favourite with Tigers fans and management alike, with both Mølby and Peter Taylor
making him Captain.
The goal he scored against Yeovil Town
was the goal that promoted Hull to League One
and he was also instrumental in the Tigers' successful promotion campaign to the Football League Championship
in the following season.
Ashbee was, however, cursed by an old injury in the subsequent Championship campaign, being diagnosed with an osteochondral
defect, a degenerative bone condition in his femur
. He underwent surgery that involved drilling fourteen holes in the bone to stimulate re-growth. He was warned by his doctor that this injury threatened not just his career, but his ability to even walk. Ashbee was on crutches for four months and was ruled out for the majority of the 2005–06
season, nevertheless he remained a favourite amongst many Tigers fans, receiving a standing ovation at the last game of the season against Watford
despite being sidelined.
He was also retained as captain by Hull City's next manager, Phil Parkinson
, and his replacement, Phil Brown. But with a poor team performance in their second season in The Championship, finishing just one place outside the relegation zone, Ashbee as captain received a large share of fans' criticisms that were aimed at the team, despite the outgoing Chairman Adam Pearson
suggesting him as a potential Player of the Season.
The 2007–08
season saw vastly improved performances from the team as a whole, culminating in the club reaching its first ever Wembley
final, taking on Bristol City
for a place in the Premier League, a game which they won 1–0. This means that Ashbee has captained City to promotion from the bottom division of the Football League to the top. Andy Dawson, Boaz Myhill
and Ryan France
are the other players to have helped take Hull up through the four divisions. On 16 August 2008 Ashbee was captain of the Hull City side that won its first ever top-flight game 2–1 against Fulham
, completing an achievement thought to be unique in English football: captaining the same team in all four divisions of the Football League, bottom to top.
Towards the end of the 2008–09 season, in a fixture against Aston Villa
on 4 May, Ashbee suffered another career-threatening injury, rupturing a posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. It was initially thought that he would return to action in the Autumn, however on 18 August 2009 it was reported that Ashbee required further surgery on the knee and would likely miss the entire 2009–10 season.
Upon his return on the first game of the 2010–11 season, Ashbee scored the second goal in Hull City's 2–0 victory over Swansea City
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer currently playing for Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. He has previously played for Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
, and has also played in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, on loan to ÍR
Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur
Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur is an Icelandic sport club, based in Reykjavík. It competes in the following:*Dance*Track and field*Handball*Bowling*Basketball*Football*Skiing*Taekwondo*Judo-Basketball honours:...
.
Hull City
Purchased by manager Jan MølbyJan Mølby
Jan Mølby is a Danish former international footballer who spent much of his professional football career at English club Liverpool.- Club career :...
in June 2002 in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
he suffered a nightmare start to his Hull career as he was sent off on his debut. This was, however, due to his no-nonsense approach on the pitch and he soon became a firm favourite with Tigers fans and management alike, with both Mølby and Peter Taylor
Peter John Taylor
Peter John Taylor is an English football manager and former player and current head coach of the Bahrain national football team...
making him Captain.
The goal he scored against Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
was the goal that promoted Hull to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
and he was also instrumental in the Tigers' successful promotion campaign to the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in the following season.
Ashbee was, however, cursed by an old injury in the subsequent Championship campaign, being diagnosed with an osteochondral
Osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a family of orthopedic diseases of the joint that occur in children and adolescents and in rapidly growing animals, particularly pigs, horses, and dogs. They are characterized by interruption of the blood supply of a bone, in particular to the epiphysis, followed by localized...
defect, a degenerative bone condition in his femur
Femur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
. He underwent surgery that involved drilling fourteen holes in the bone to stimulate re-growth. He was warned by his doctor that this injury threatened not just his career, but his ability to even walk. Ashbee was on crutches for four months and was ruled out for the majority of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season, nevertheless he remained a favourite amongst many Tigers fans, receiving a standing ovation at the last game of the season against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
despite being sidelined.
He was also retained as captain by Hull City's next manager, Phil Parkinson
Phil Parkinson
Philip John "Phil" Parkinson is an English football manager and former player who currently manages Bradford City.-Playing career:...
, and his replacement, Phil Brown. But with a poor team performance in their second season in The Championship, finishing just one place outside the relegation zone, Ashbee as captain received a large share of fans' criticisms that were aimed at the team, despite the outgoing Chairman Adam Pearson
Adam Pearson
Adam Pearson is Head of Football Operations of Hull City and owner of Hull F.C. rugby league club. He is the former chairman of English association football club Derby County.-Career:...
suggesting him as a potential Player of the Season.
The 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season saw vastly improved performances from the team as a whole, culminating in the club reaching its first ever Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
final, taking on Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
for a place in the Premier League, a game which they won 1–0. This means that Ashbee has captained City to promotion from the bottom division of the Football League to the top. Andy Dawson, Boaz Myhill
Boaz Myhill
Glyn Oliver Myhill , more commonly known as Boaz Myhill , is a footballer who plays for Birmingham City, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, and the Wales national team as a goalkeeper.-Early life:...
and Ryan France
Ryan France
Ryan France is a former English professional footballer who last played for Sheffield United having spent the majority of his career at Alfreton Town and Hull City. His preferred position was as a right winger, but also played as a right wingback.-Alfreton Town:Born in Sheffield, France started...
are the other players to have helped take Hull up through the four divisions. On 16 August 2008 Ashbee was captain of the Hull City side that won its first ever top-flight game 2–1 against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, completing an achievement thought to be unique in English football: captaining the same team in all four divisions of the Football League, bottom to top.
Towards the end of the 2008–09 season, in a fixture against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 4 May, Ashbee suffered another career-threatening injury, rupturing a posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. It was initially thought that he would return to action in the Autumn, however on 18 August 2009 it was reported that Ashbee required further surgery on the knee and would likely miss the entire 2009–10 season.
Upon his return on the first game of the 2010–11 season, Ashbee scored the second goal in Hull City's 2–0 victory over Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
.
Honours
- Division 3 (IV): Runner-up 1999, 2004
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
: Runner-up 2002 - Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
(III): Runner-up 2005 - Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
(II): Playoffs 2008 - Football League: Only player to captain same team in all English football leagues.
External links
- Ian Ashbee profile on Hull City official website