Source: M.E.N. By STUART BRENNAN
BOLTON nut Sam Ashton had his moment of FA Cup glory with Wanderers last season – and now he is rapidly becoming an FC United cult hero.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper hit the headlines last season when Bolton boss Sam Allardyce threw him on for the last few minutes of the Premiership side’s 3-0 FA Cup win at Watford . . . as an outfield player.
But the lifelong Bolton fan was released at the end of last season and is now aiming to revive his professional career at nonleague’s highest-profile club.
He has done himself plenty of favours so far, conceding just five goals in 11 league games after last night’s trip to Curzon Ashton.
Now Ashton is so intent on getting himself back in the pro game that he is considering having his Bolton tattoo removed – in case it offends the supporters of any prospective employers!
Ashton’s moment of fame will remain with him. During an injury crisis, Ashton was included in the Bolton squad for the cup tie at Vicarage Road as a defender after impressing at right-back and central defence for the club’s youth team.
Ashton replaced Mexico international Jared Borgetti, but he claims he did not ask to go on: “I didn’t mither anyone, but assistant manager Jimmy Phillips told me he would put me on for five minutes. It is a great day to remember, but hopefully I will have many more.”
The dream did not last and Ashton was released. He said: “I went to Rochdale and then Radcliffe Borough, who wanted me as second choice, but in July I was told FC United needed a keeper for the friendly against Bury and have been here ever since.”
It is a huge step down from the Premiership, but Ashton says FC’s style of play also attracted him.
But he added: “I still want to get my career back on track, and that might mean getting rid of the tattoo, because some teams’ fans might not like it.”
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