Ashley Eastham
Personal information
Full name Ashley Martin Eastham[1]
Date of birth (1991-03-22) 22 March 1991[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

Club

As of match played 19 November 2022
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Blackpool 2009–10[58] Championship 100010---20
2010–11[59] Premier League 000000---00
2011–12[60] Championship 000010---10
Blackpool total 1000200030
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2009–10[58] League Two 200000000200
Carlisle United (loan) 2010–11[59] League One 0010000010
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2010–11[59] League Two 9000000090
Bury (loan) 2011–12[60] League One 25210001[lower-alpha 1]0272
Fleetwood Town (loan) 2012–13[61] League Two 1000001[lower-alpha 1]020
Notts County (loan) 2012–13[61] League One 4000000040
Bury (loan) 2012–13[61] League One 190000000190
Rochdale 2013–14[62] League Two 15030101[lower-alpha 1]0200
2014–15[63] League One 41260002[lower-alpha 1]0492
2015–16[64] 20210102[lower-alpha 1]0242
Rochdale total 7641002050934
Fleetwood Town 2016–17[65] League One 35220105[lower-alpha 2]0432
2017–18[66] 45340100523
2018–19[67] 45230001[lower-alpha 3]0492
2019–20[68] 9030003[lower-alpha 3]0150
Fleetwood Town total 1347120201101597
Salford City 2019–20[68] League Two 4000000040
2020–21[69] 39120202[lower-alpha 3]0451
2021–22[70] 282201000312
2022–23[71] 9020002[lower-alpha 3]0130
Salford City total 803603040933
Career total 369163009022043016
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ Three appearances in the EFL Trophy and two in the League One play-offs
  3. 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in the 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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.
  10. ↑ "Crainey, Gilks, Evatt & Eastham pen new Blackpool deals". BBC Sport. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  11. ↑ Sheff Wed v Blackpool, BBC Sport, 11 August 2011
  12. ↑ "Pool keep hold of defender". Sky Sports. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Thomas Ince & Matt Phillips: Blackpool take up one-year options". BBC Sport. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  14. 1 2 "Transfer news: Blackpool defender Ashley Eastham set to leave on free transfer". Sky Sports. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  15. ↑ "Deadline Day Latest". Blackpool F.C. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  16. ↑ "Blackpool defender arrives on loan". Cheltenham Town F.C. 26 November 2009. Archived from the original on 2 December 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  17. ↑ "Extension for Eastham". Cheltenham Town F.C. 31 December 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  18. ↑ "Eastham Loan Spell Cut Short". Blackpool. 7 January 2010. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
  19. ↑ "Ashley Eastham re-signs for Cheltenham on loan". BBC Sport. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  20. ↑ "Seasiders Confirm Eastham Exit". Blackpool. 16 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  21. ↑ "Match Report: Grimsby Town vs Cheltenham". Cheltenham Town F.C. 16 January 2010. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  22. ↑ "The Latest From Bloomfield Road – Tuesday". Blackpool F.C. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  23. ↑ "Team of the Week (22/02/2010)" (PDF). The Football League. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  24. ↑ "Carlisle United sign Blackpool defender Ashley Eastham". BBC Sport. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  25. ↑ "Eastham back at Blackpool". Sky Sports. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  26. ↑ "Pool defender set for Robins". Sky Sports. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  27. ↑ "Robins boss hails on-loan duo". Sky Sports. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  28. ↑ "Blackpool's Ashley Eastham to stay at Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  29. ↑ "Eastham extends Robins stay". Sky Sports. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  30. ↑ "Eastham returns to Blackpool". Sky Sports. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  31. ↑ "Eastham signs Shakers deal". Sky Sports. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  32. ↑ "Blackpool defender Eastham happy with his new Gigg". Bury Times. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  33. ↑ "Bury land Eastham to end of campaign". Bury Times. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  34. ↑ "Bury 3–3 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  35. ↑ "Clarke looks out of reach". Bury Times. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  36. ↑ "Young Pool pair join Fleetwood". Blackpool Gazette. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  37. ↑ "Fleetwood want to extend Ashley deal". Blackpool Gazette. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  38. ↑ "Eastham seals Notts County move". Blackpool Gazette. 5 October 2012.
  39. ↑ "Ashley's back in the Pool". Blackpool Gazette. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  40. ↑ "Eastham returns to Shakers". Sky Sports. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  41. ↑ "Happy Eastham". Rochdale AFC. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  42. ↑ "Squad Numbers Revealed". Rochdale AFC. 8 July 2013. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  43. ↑ "Report: Dale 3–0 Hartlepool". Rochdale Athletic Football Club Official Website. 3 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  44. ↑ "Crewe Alexandra 2 – 5 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  45. ↑ "Crewe Alex: Preview". Rochdale AFC. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  46. ↑ "Rochdale 4–0 Walsall". BBC Sport. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  47. ↑ "Ashley Eastham Named in Team of the Week". Rochdale AFC. 22 September 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  48. ↑ "Leyton Orient 2 – 3 Rochdale". Rochdale AFC. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  49. ↑ "Rochdale extension for Eastham". Sky Sports. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 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. 1 2 "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  59. 1 2 3 "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  60. 1 2 "Games played by Ashley Eastham in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  61. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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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