Dean Ashton is a retired English footballer who made 248 appearances, scoring 93 goals throughout his domestic career. Ashton played for 3 clubs throughout his career and enjoyed a number of games playing as a striker in the Premier League. He was deemed the next big English talent when he broke onto the scene for Crewe Alexandra and he certainly made his presence known instantly.
Unfortunately, Ashton had a recurring ankle injury which stopped him from hitting the heights that pundits and coaches across the country thought he would. Ashton’s professional career started out with Crewe and made his debut at just 16 years old against Gillingham, his first goal game in a 4-2 win against Burnley and the goals soon started to flow. He finished the season with 8 goals and helped secure Crewe’s First Division status.
Ashton continued to have successful scoring seasons and scored 19 in the 2003-04 season, after scoring 18 more goals the season after, Ashton moved to Norwich City to become their record signing at £3 million. He scored on his Norwich debut in a 4-4 draw with Middlesborough, a match in which Norwich were 4-1 down at one point. He scored his first Norwich hat trick in a 3-1 home win against Southampton. With Norwich now outside of the Premier League, Ashton was attracting lots of interest from Premier League clubs, he signed for West Ham for a fee of £7 million in 2006.
Ashton helped guide West Ham to the FA Cup final and scored several goals in the competition, he scored a goal in the final which unfortunately ended in Liverpool winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw in normal time. Ashton eventually went on to score 15 goals in 46 appearances for West Ham before retiring in 2008. Throughout Ashton’s domestic career he scored 93 goals in 248 appearances, including 61 goals for Crewe.
He also played one international match for England in a match against Trinidad & Tobago. Since retiring, Ashton has spent lots of time as a commentator on a number of different football matches, his outstanding presenting skills make him the ideal football speaker for all types of events. As an after dinner speaker, Ashton often discusses his career but also spends time discussing how to deal with injuries, maximising success and being under the spotlight.
How to hire Dean Ashton
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Dean Ashton for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback From In-Person Events:
"Dean was brilliant and such a nice guy too. His talk was really well received by students, parents and staff. Thanks so much for your help in securing him for us and please pass my thanks onto him." - OPGS
- 2023 - Appointed as a commentator for the Premier League coverage on UK television
- 2022 - Inducted into the Norwich City Hall of Fame
- 2019 - Became an ambassador for the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)
- 2016 - Started his career as a football pundit and commentator
- 2011 - Coached at the Nike Academy, helping to mentor young football talents
- 2010 - Awarded a testimonial match by West Ham United to honor his contributions to the club
- 2008 - Retired from professional football due to persistent injury issues
- 2008 - Made his final appearance for West Ham United in a Premier League match
- 2007 - Named West Ham United’s Player of the Year after an impressive season
- 2006 - Scored his first goal for the England national team in a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago
- 2006 - Became West Ham United’s record signing at that time with a £7.25 million transfer fee
- 2005 - Scored in the FA Cup final for West Ham United, contributing to their run to the final
- 2005 - Earned a transfer to West Ham United after a successful spell at Norwich City
- 2004 - Helped Norwich City gain promotion to the Premier League
- 2004 - Named Norwich City Player of the Season
- 2003 - Became the top scorer for Norwich City in the Championship
- 2003 - Earned a call-up to the England Under-21 team
- 2002 - Named Crewe Alexandra's Player of the Year
- 2001 - Scored 19 goals in the Football League First Division, solidifying his status as one of the top young English strikers
- 2001 - Helped Crewe Alexandra reach the FA Cup third round, scoring crucial goals along the way
- 2001 - Earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year for the Football League First Division
- 2000 - Became the youngest-ever player to score a hat-trick for Crewe Alexandra
- 1999 - Made his professional debut for Crewe Alexandra at the age of 16
- 1999 - Scored his first professional goal for Crewe Alexandra
- 1998 - Signed his first professional contract with Crewe Alexandra at the age of 15
- 1998 - Won the FA Youth Cup with Crewe Alexandra’s youth team
