Former footballers remember stalwart Ashy

More than a 100 former amateur players, referees and administrators attended a reunion night to remember the life of football stalwart Dave '˜Ashy' Aspden.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Apr 2017, 14:15 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:49 BST
Paul Whelan, second left, is presented with the Ashy Shield by from the left, Bernard McNaboe, Dave Aspdens brother Michael Aspden and John Kerrigan, who donated the shield PHOTO: Eamonn McNamaraPaul Whelan, second left, is presented with the Ashy Shield by from the left, Bernard McNaboe, Dave Aspdens brother Michael Aspden and John Kerrigan, who donated the shield PHOTO: Eamonn McNamara
Paul Whelan, second left, is presented with the Ashy Shield by from the left, Bernard McNaboe, Dave Aspdens brother Michael Aspden and John Kerrigan, who donated the shield PHOTO: Eamonn McNamara

A long-serving ex-manager and secretary of local clubs Hesketh Arms and Ribbleton Avenue Methodists in the 1960s to 1980s, Aspden sadly passed away earlier this year.

On the night, a new “Ashy-dedicated” award in the form of a shield was presented to Paul Whelan, who is the chairman of Preston Schools’ Football Association.

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This shield willl be contested for each season by the Under-12s age group of the city’s school football teams.

Sponsored by Preston-based firm Trade Windows, the evening – which was held at St Anthony’s Social Centre on Cadley Causeway –raised £700 for charity, which will be divided between Vine House Cancer Care, in Cromwell Road and Preston Schools’ FA.

One of the night’s attendees Wilf Riley said: “It was a 
great night and everybody enjoyed themselves. We had a good time reminiscing about our playing days and in particular remembering Ashy.”

Related topics:DavePreston