Ashurst: John (Jack)

1986-1988 (Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Coatbridge, Lanarkshire: 12-10-1954

Debut v Blackburn Rovers (a): 23-08-1986

6’0” 12st 4lb (1987)

Ashurst joined Sunderland as an apprentice in 1969, turning professional in October 1971. He won a Second Division Championship Medal in 1975-76 and was in the 1973 Cup Final squad against United but did not play. He made one hundred and forty League appearances, of which eleven were from the bench and scored four goals, one being from the spot. He moved to Blackpool for £110,000 in October 1979, where he scored three times in fifty-three League games, and then went on to Carlisle United in August 1981 for £40,000. He became Player-Coach and made over two hundred appearances, of which one hundred and ninety-four were League appearances in which he scored five goals, before Billy Bremner raised eyebrows by paying £35,000 for the thirty-one year old in July 1986, after Carlisle United had been relegated to the Third Division. He proved to be a reliable defender and Captained the team whenever Snodin or Aizlewood were unavailable. He left for Fourth Division Doncaster Rovers in October 1988 for £10,000. He scored once in seventy-three League appearances. He was released in the summer of 1990 and spent a brief spell with Bridlington Town before rejoining Doncaster Rovers in November 1990, making a further sixty-six League appearances and adding one goal. He played one game for Rochdale in August 1992 and later had a spell with Frickley Athletic. After retiring from football he returned to Sunderland and started an electrical goods shop. He sold it after five years and now lives in Wetherby and is employed by Golden Fry Foods in their warehouse.