Don Ashman

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, 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. 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 moved to Queens Park Rangers for a £500 fee. 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.

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