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Ashley Eastham

Ashley Eastham
Personal information
Full name Ashley Martin Eastham[1]
Date of birth (1991-03-22) 22 March 1991 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Preston, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
200?–2009 Blackpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Blackpool 1 (0)
2009 → Hyde United (loan) 11 (1)
2009–2010 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 20 (0)
2010–2011 → Carlisle United (loan) 0 (0)
2011 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 9 (0)
2011–2012 → Bury (loan) 25 (2)
2012 → Fleetwood Town (loan) 1 (0)
2012 → Notts County (loan) 4 (0)
2013 → Bury (loan) 19 (0)
2013–2016 Rochdale 76 (4)
2016–2020 Fleetwood Town 134 (7)
2020–2023 Salford City 80 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 April 2023 (UTC)

Ashley "Ash" Martin Eastham (born 22 March 1991) is an English professional footballer who last played as a defender for League Two club Salford City.[3]

Eastham began his career at Blackpool. He made only three appearances for Blackpool, but enjoyed his first run of senior football after moving on loan to Cheltenham Town midway through the 2009–10 season. Loan spells with Carlisle United and Cheltenham Town again followed in 2010–11, before Eastham spent the whole of the next season helping Bury to a mid-table finish in League One. Brief stints at Fleetwood Town and Notts County gave Eastham more experience in 2012, before he returned to Bury for their hapless fight against relegation from League One in 2012–13.

In 2013, Eastham made a permanent transfer to Rochdale, and in 2016, Eastham signed for Fleetwood Town, where he would make over 150 appearances before signing for Salford, where he is the club captain.

Club career

Early career at Blackpool; Loan move to Hyde United

Born in Preston, Lancashire, Eastham is a product of the Blackpool youth system.[2] He attended Carr Hill High School, Kirkham, Lancashire.[4]

He signed his first professional contract in May 2009, then in July he played for the first team in the pre-season South West Challenge Cup held in North Devon, including playing in the 5–0 win over Barnstaple Town.[5]

In August 2009 he joined Conference North side Hyde United on loan, making his debut on 8 August in a 1–0 win over Stafford Rangers at Ewen Fields.[6] On 17 August he scored Hyde's second goal in a 3–2 home victory over Gainsborough Trinity. He made a total of eleven league appearances for the Tigers, scoring one goal, before being recalled by Blackpool on 21 September.[7]

Back at Blackpool – first team debut

The following day, in his first year as a professional, Eastham made his debut for the Seasiders in a 4–3 defeat to Premier League side Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in the third round of the 2009–10 League Cup.[4][8]

"This is without doubt the biggest moment of my career. It was great to walk out and look at the surroundings. It is a fantastic atmosphere when you are on the pitch. I'll never forget my debut, and especially because of the type of game it was."

— Eastham talking about his Blackpool debut[9]

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Eastham signed a new two-year contract with Blackpool.[10] Four days later Eastham made his league debut, in a 2–0 home win over Peterborough United at Bloomfield Road, when he replaced the injured Neal Eardley in the 18th minute. On 11 August 2011, Eastham was sent off in Blackpool's League Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday.[11] At the end of the 2011–12 season, Eastham contract was activated after the club exercised their contract, until 2013.[12] At the end of the 2012–13 season, Eastham was released by the club[13] despite the club was keen to keep him, but Eastham wanted to leave the club, so he earn a first team place.[14]

Cheltenham Town loan move

On 26 November 2009, Eastham joined League Two side Cheltenham Town on an initial one-month loan deal until 2 January 2010. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said of the move: "This is a great move for Ash. It is another step up for him, he did extremely well when he went to Hyde at the start of the season and this will be another challenge for him both on and off the field."[15] The Robins caretaker manager John Schofield said: "It's great to have a bright young prospect from a Championship club made available to us. Hopefully we can offer him some first team experience for the next stage of his development as a player."[16] Five days later he was an unused substitute in a 0–3 defeat to Torquay United at Plainmoor. His debut came on 5 December in a 2–2 draw with Northampton Town at Whaddon Road.

After four appearances, Eastham signed a one-month extension to the loan deal on 31 December.[17] He made a total of five appearances for the Robins, then on 7 January 2010 was recalled by Blackpool from his loan spell to cover for suspensions. He was included in the Blackpool squad that travelled to South Wales to take on Cardiff City on 9 January,[18] and was an unused substitute in the game. On 15 January he returned to Cheltenham Town, on loan until the end of the season.[19][20] Two days later he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a 0–0 draw with Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.[21] He received a one-game suspension, missing the next game, a 1–4 home defeat to League Two leaders Rochdale. Following his performance in the 2–0 home win over Morecambe on 20 February 2010, he was named in the League Two "Team of the Week".[22][23]

Loan spells at Carlisle United and Cheltenham Town

On 25 November 2010, Eastham joined League One side Carlisle United on loan, until 3 January 2011.[24] He only made one appearance for the club, only in the FA Cup campaign, in a 3–2 win over Tamworth, playing 90 minutes. On 4 January 2011, Eastham then returned to the club, following his loan came to an end.[25]

48 hours later, on 6 January 2011, Eastham joined Cheltenham Town on an initial one-month loan deal, for the second time in his career.[26] Eastham's first game after signing for the club on a loan spell, for the second time in his career, came on 8 January 2011, in a 1–1 draw against Northampton Town. After his debut, Manager Mark Yates praised Eastham and Phil Walsh.[27] Having made five appearances, his loan spell was extended for another month in February,[28] followed up another loan spell extended for another month in March.[29] On 4 April 2011, Eastham then returned to the club, following his loan came to an end.[30]

Bury (loan)

Eastham joined Bury on 25 August 2011 for one month.[31] He made his debut for the club, in a 2–1 loss against Charlton Athletic two-day later. After the move, Eastham express "happy" with the loan move.[32] Since then, his loan has been extended a further two times and he will remain at Gigg Lane until the end of the 2011–12 season.[33] During the season, he played a pivotal part in Bury's League One campaign, including winning the Champagne Moment of the Season award for his 90th-minute equaliser as Bury fought back from 3–0 down to draw 3–3 with Huddersfield Town.[34] At the end of the season, Eastham's loan spell with Bury came to an end.[35]

Loan move to Fleetwood Town, Notts County and Bury

On 29 August 2012, Eastham joined Blackpool's Fylde coast neighbours Fleetwood Town on a one-month loan deal, together with teammate Tom Barkhuizen who joined on loan for six months.[36] His debut came six days later in the Football League Trophy, First round defeat to Rochdale at Spotland Stadium. Soon after, Eastham loan spell had ended despite Fleetwood Town's progress to extend his loan.[37]

On 5 October, Eastham joined Notts County on loan following his Fleetwood Town loan spell came to an end.[38] While at Notts County, Eastham made four appearances before returning to Blackpool.[39]

On 21 January 2013, Eastham returned to Bury on loan for a second time, until the end of the season.[40] Five days later, Eastham made his second debut for the club, in a 0–0 draw against Shrewsbury Town. Like his first spell at Bury, Eastham maintained his first team status. However, this season was overshadowed by financial problems, which led the club to their relegation.

Rochdale

Eastham playing for Rochdale in 2013

On 20 June 2013, Ashley agreed a two-year deal with Rochdale following his release from Blackpool.[41] By the time he was released by the club, Eastham attracted interests from host of clubs.[14] Upon joining the club, Eastham was given number five shirt.[42]

Eastham made his debut in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 win over Hartlepool United.[43] However, he find his first team opportunities limited in the defence and went on to make 15 appearances in his first season.

In his second season at Rochdale, Eastham was recalled to the starting line-up against Crewe Alexandra to make his first appearance of the season after stayed on the substitute bench for the first two matches.[44][45] Eastham then scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–0 win over Walsall on 16 September 2014.[46] Not only that, Eastham earned a place for the Football League's Team of the Week, as result of his performance.[47] A week later, Eastham received a straight red card in the 30th minute, in a 3–2 win over Leyton Orient on 27 September 2014.[48] Despite this, Eastham continued to be in the first team by the first half of the season and on 9 January 2015, Eastham signed a one-year contract extension with the club.[49] Eastham later scored, in a 3–2 loss against Walsall on 10 February 2015.[50] In his second season at Rochdale, which saw Eastham established himself in the first team, as well as, helping the club finish eighth place, he made forty-nine and scoring two times in all competitions.

Fleetwood Town

On 20 May 2016, Eastham joined fellow league one side Fleetwood Town from Rochdale, after penning a two-year deal.[51] On the day of signing, Eastham said, "One of the biggest factors in me coming here was the ambition from the chairman and manager. I felt it was something I wanted to be a part of".[52]

Having been named the clubs' player of the season,[53] Fleetwood exercised a one-year contract extension for him at the end of the 2017–18 season.[54]

Salford City

On transfer deadline day, 31 January 2020 he joined Salford City.[55] Eastham was immediately appointed team captain by then manager Graham Alexander.

In March 2021, Eastham captained Salford at Wembley as they beat League One side Portsmouth in the (EFL) Football League Trophy final,[56] the first major trophy in the clubs history.

In May 2022, Eastham signed a new one-year deal upon the expiry of his previous deal.[57]

Career statistics

As of match played 19 November 2022
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Blackpool 2009–10[58] Championship 1 0 0 0 1 0 --- 2 0
2010–11[59] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 --- 0 0
2011–12[60] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 --- 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2009–10[58] League Two 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
Carlisle United (loan) 2010–11[59] League One 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2010–11[59] League Two 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
Bury (loan) 2011–12[60] League One 25 2 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 27 2
Fleetwood Town (loan) 2012–13[61] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 2 0
Notts County (loan) 2012–13[61] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Bury (loan) 2012–13[61] League One 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
Rochdale 2013–14[62] League Two 15 0 3 0 1 0 1[a] 0 20 0
2014–15[63] League One 41 2 6 0 0 0 2[a] 0 49 2
2015–16[64] League One 20 2 1 0 1 0 2[a] 0 24 2
Total 76 4 10 0 2 0 5 0 93 4
Fleetwood Town 2016–17[65] League One 35 2 2 0 1 0 5[b] 0 43 2
2017–18[66] League One 45 3 4 0 1 0 0 52 3
2018–19[67] League One 45 2 3 0 0 0 1[c] 0 49 2
2019–20[68] League One 9 0 3 0 0 0 3[c] 0 15 0
Total 134 7 12 0 2 0 11 0 159 7
Salford City 2019–20[68] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2020–21[69] League Two 39 1 2 0 2 0 2[c] 0 45 1
2021–22[70] League Two 28 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 31 2
2022–23[71] League Two 9 0 2 0 0 0 2[c] 0 13 0
Total 80 3 6 0 3 0 4 0 93 3
Career total 369 16 30 0 9 0 22 0 430 16
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Three appearances in EFL Trophy and two in League One play-offs
  3. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Salford City

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Salford City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 61. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. ^ "Ash Eastham signs for Salford City". 31 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Stoke City vs Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
  5. ^ "Barnstaple 0 Blackpool 5". Blackpool Gazette. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  6. ^ "Match Report: Hyde United 1–0 Stafford Rangers". Hyde United F.C. 8 August 2009. Archived from the original on 11 October 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  7. ^ "Match Report: Hyde United 3–2 Gainsborough Trinity". Hyde United F.C. 17 August 2009. Archived from the original on 11 October 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  8. ^ "Team News From Stoke". Blackpool F.C. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  9. ^ Canavan, Steve (23 September 2009). "Eastham savours biggest moment". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
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  11. ^ Sheff Wed v Blackpool, BBC Sport, 11 August 2011
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  13. ^ "Thomas Ince & Matt Phillips: Blackpool take up one-year options". BBC Sport. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
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  41. ^ "Happy Eastham". Rochdale AFC. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
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  48. ^ "Leyton Orient 2 – 3 Rochdale". Rochdale AFC. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
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  50. ^ "Walsall 3 – 2 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  51. ^ "Ashley Eastham: Fleetwood Town sign Rochdale centre-back". BBC Sport. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  52. ^ "Eastham: I wanted to be a part of this challenge".
  53. ^ a b "Fleetwood Town defender Ash Eastham delighted to win player of the year award". Blackpool Gazette. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  54. ^ "Fleetwood: George Glendon, Chris Neal and Ricardo Kip released". BBC Sport. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  55. ^ "Salford sign ex-Manchester United forward James Wilson and defender Ash Eastham". BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  56. ^ a b Williams, Adam (13 March 2021). "Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  57. ^ "Ash Eastham: Salford City captain signs new one-year contract". BBC Sport. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  58. ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  59. ^ a b c "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  60. ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  61. ^ a b c "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  62. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  63. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  64. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  65. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  66. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  67. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  68. ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  69. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  70. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  71. ^ "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
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