Dean Ashton

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Dean Ashton's been forced to retire at the age of 26 due to long-term injury. Must be gutting for him and is a shame because he's a handfull on his day and is one of the better English centre-forwards currently around.

Full story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 407584.stm

[Focher]

Injury free theres no doubt he would be going to South Africa, cracking player. Feel sorry for the guy.

[Terminal Boardom]

I heard that BR is looking at signing him.

[cmonurz]

Gutted for Ashton, he was terrific at Crewe, was just coming very good at West Ham, and was a genuine World Cup prospect.

Was just reading a story on BBC, is that the one about perhaps suing Shaun Wright-Philips and Chelsea?

Some precedent by the looks it for a pay-off re career ending injuries, and Ashton is set to receive at least £3m salary from West Ham.

Did Chris Casper get anything re the Richard Carpenter tackle?

[Focher]

Gutted for Ashton, he was terrific at Crewe, was just coming very good at West Ham, and was a genuine World Cup prospect.

Was just reading a story on BBC, is that the one about perhaps suing Shaun Wright-Philips and Chelsea?

Some precedent by the looks it for a pay-off re career ending injuries, and Ashton is set to receive at least £3m salary from West Ham.

Did Chris Casper get anything re the Richard Carpenter tackle?

i think he got £1m If a remember rightly

[Thomas L'Heureux]

It's a shame for West Ham too, as I can't think of many centre-back pairings who would relish lining up against a partnership of Ashton and Carlton Cole.

[Big Foot]

Enjoy watching forwards of his ilk. Would put him in the same category as Drogba, Crouch, Kitson, Nugent etc - big strikers who are very skillful on the eye and hold the ball up superbly for others.

[soggy biscuit]

Sad to hear of anyone at a young age having to give up their job through injury. Just a shame some of our injured servicemen don't get large pay offs when it happens

[Focher]

, Nugent etc - big strikers .

Kevin Nugent? David Nugent is about 5ft 1

[Big Foot]

Dave Nugent is 5ft 11in but is good in the air and very big physically.

[TBM]

See when someone says "a big striker" i dont think height wise, i think build wise, and is strong on the ball.

[Big Foot]

Yep, more along the lines of powerful.

[Thomas L'Heureux]

Yep, more along the lines of powerful.

Which Peter Crouch is?!

[Row Z Royal]

Reading manager in 30 years?

[Focher]

i could have sworn Nugent was a short arse.

[Royalee]

Injury free theres no doubt he would be going to South Africa, cracking player. Feel sorry for the guy.

This

[1871 Royal]

Tis a shame, especially as he is so young. Always impressed me when I seen him play against us.

[rhroyal]

Injury free theres no doubt he would be going to South Africa, cracking player. Feel sorry for the guy.

This

+1

[cmonurz]

He'll get the payout - but at only 26 wonder whether he will complete his rehabilitation and use his money at funding new or different ways to treat his injury. Wouldn't rule out Ashton ever playing again.

Didn't Steve Thompson (ok, different sport) just come back from injury retirement (and a £500k pay out)?

[Terminal Boardom]

Another product of Dario Gradi. Now, if anyone in football deserves a knighthood...

Ashton oozed class. Shame we never saw the best of him.