Dean Ashton forced to retire at the age of 26, due to a long term ankle injury

[swiftyefc]

Sad news for the lad, I for one and alot of my West Ham friends rated "Deano" very highly as I have seen him play since his days at Crewe. Good luck Deano a sad loss to the game.

West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has been forced to retire from football due to injury.

The 26-year-old has failed to recover from the ankle injury he sustained while training with the England squad in 2006.

Ashton, who was a target of Stoke City in the summer, has undergone a variety of rehabilitation procedures but none proved successful.

West Ham have now confirmed that the former Crewe and Norwich man has quit after receiving warnings regarding his full fitness and long-term mobility.

Hammers CEO Scott Duxbury told the club's official website: "This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Dean.

"I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish him the very best.

"I would also like to thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time."

 

[StDomingosGringo]

Gutted for him, although it's been on the cards for a while. As a young trainee he was never big headed or arrogant despite it being obvious he was going to make it as a pro. Hopefully he's got some idea of what to do next, going down the Barry Horne route would suit him.

 

[faddy the blue]

Maybe James Vaughan will do the same when he's 22 or 23. Sad indeed!

 

[Philw]

Very sad, always liked him as a player, would have liked to see him here one day. Certainly hope Vaughan's career doesn't go the same way

 

[BlueTak]

Gutted for him, good player.

 

[monty]

He is out to sue SWP and Chelsea as a result of his intial injury........................I wonder if Vic will sue Kevin Nolan.

One bonus for Dean is that he is already well provided for unlike lads of years ago, still it remains a shame to have to give up at an early age

 

[Cahill's Metatarsal]

Gutted for him, feel for anyone who has to retire due to injury, to have to do so at 26 due to an injury picked up while at the top level is horrendous

 

[micknick]

Really rated him actually. Could have been a great number 9 for England. Sad news for the lad.

 

[kenada_blue]

Maybe James Vaughan will do the same when he's 22 or 23. Sad indeed!

Can see it happening next season.

Gutted for Ashton.

But you can see how his legs couldnt cope. Last season he banged in 2 goals then took a free kick in the same game and injured himself and had to be subbed off.

That happened to him consistantly. Poor feller.

Plot thickens though

West Ham striker Dean Ashton is considering whether he can sue Shaun Wright-Phillips and his then employers Chelsea for the challenge in 2006 that he will claim ended his career.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

 

[NeoNaoNeo]

Very sad, and wish him the best, but hope the media stops acting like Pele just retired.

 

[bluebastardo]

Yeah, I agree.
A career ending injury is never a good thing.

Still.
Only 26.
He can take his millions and his mansion and retire in good style, or even get a job like the rest of us have to, so although I appreciate the loss of a great player, I'll not shed too many tears for the young lad while I'm working my ass off for a pittance.

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

Really sad for him...hope he doesn't go-ahead and sue SWP, these things happen in the game, and he's adequately insured...I met SWP last year and he's a really nice guy, very humble and polite.

 

[Rook]

Feel bad for him. He was the best player in the prem in the final 1/4-1/3 of the 04-05 season. He almody singlehandedly kept Norwich up that year. He was capable of being an England International and a 20 goal/yr scorer.

 

[Upper Sturry Sherbets]

Ashton was never a favorite of mine, but this is sad news for the kid, I remember him at Crewe under Dario Gradi, and he really made a name for himself there, before moving to Carrow Road and later Upton Park.

I did think he was a dangerous forward, and like Van Basten before him, has had to quit at the prime of his career due to injury when there was surely some glory ahead, or years to go.

He;s due a hefty payout I understand.

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

Really gutted for Ashton. I used to watch him at Crewe (my home town) and I always rated him highly. I met him briefly and he was extremely nice, especially to my little brother. He would have been a England regular if not for the injuries. Real shame.