- Birthdate: 3 July 1926
- Birthplace: Chorley, Lancashire, England
- Date of death: 13 March 2010
- Other clubs: Eccleston, Chorley (1944-45), Ipswich Town (1955-57), Coventry City (1957-58), Chorley (2 / 1958-61)
- Liverpool debut: 07.09.1946
- Last appearance: 12.03.1955
- Contract expiry: 06.06.1955
- Win ratio: 34.83% W:31 D:28 L:30
- Wartime games/goals: 10 / 0
- League games / goals: 87 / 0
- Total games / goals: 89 / 0
- League clean sheets: 15
- Total clean sheets: 15
Player Profile
Cyril Sidlow was replaced by Ashcroft in the 1951/52 season having only featured in nine first-team matches since the resumption of League football following World War II. Ashcroft earned the distinction of saving a penalty from Preston legend Tom Finney on the opening day of the 1952/53 season and was first choice until December 1952 when he lost his place to Russell Crossley after a disastrous spell for the club. The arrival of Dave Underwood in December 1953 further restricted his chances. Liverpool were relegated in the spring and South African Doug Rudham was signed at the start of the 1954/55 season. Ashcroft still managed 15 games in his final season despite battling for one position with Underwood and Rudham.
Ashcroft was then signed by future England World Cup-winning coach Sir Alf Ramsey for Ipswich Town who played in Third Division South. After only seven games he broke his arm in a reserve game and left for Coventry the following summer. He only stayed at the Sky Blues for one season as his break hadn't healed properly so City had effectively signed a 'keeper who couldn't straighten his arm! He dropped into non league football with Chorley, spending thirty years working for the Royal Ordnance factory at Euxton near Preston. He died in 2010.
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
6 |
540 |
Stoke City |
6 |
540 |
Manchester United |
5 |
450 |
Newcastle United |
5 |
450 |
Preston North End |
5 |
450 |
Burnley |
5 |
450 |
Tottenham |
4 |
360 |
Bolton Wanderers |
4 |
360 |
WBA |
4 |
360 |
Arsenal |
4 |
360 |
Chelsea |
4 |
360 |
Portsmouth |
3 |
270 |
Aston Villa |
3 |
270 |
Middlesbrough |
3 |
270 |
Charlton Athletic |
3 |
270 |
Manchester City |
3 |
270 |
Fulham |
2 |
180 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
2 |
180 |
Wolves |
2 |
180 |
Notts County |
2 |
180 |
Huddersfield Town |
2 |
180 |
Bury |
2 |
180 |
Derby |
2 |
180 |
Sunderland |
1 |
90 |
Lincoln City |
1 |
90 |
Plymouth Argyle |
1 |
90 |
Swansea City |
1 |
90 |
Rotherham United |
1 |
90 |
Luton Town |
1 |
90 |
Bristol Rovers |
1 |
90 |
Hull City |
1 |
90 |
Blackpool |
Total |
Venue |
47 |
Home |
42 |
Away |
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season |
Appearances |
Goals |
1945-1946 |
10 |
0 |
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
07.09.1946 |
Chelsea |
Anfield |
League |
50 |
10.09.1952 |
Tottenham |
Anfield |
League |
Related Articles
The Daily Express on 23 December, 1953.
Daily Express report on Notts County 0 - 3 Liverpool on 03.03.1955.
Other Clubs
Club |
Season |
Club rank |
League apps |
League goals |
Total apps |
Total goals |
Eccleston |
|
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Chorley |
|
YMCA League |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Ipswich Town |
1955-1956 |
England Third Division South |
7 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
Coventry City |
1957-1958 |
England Third Division South |
19 |
0 |
19 |
0 |
Chorley |
1958-1960 |
Lancashire Combination |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Total |
26 |
0 |
26 |
0 |