User:Jimmy sfc

James Alexander Ash

Jimbo's Glittering Football Career Stats

Season....Club.......................Apps....(Goals)

92-99......Itchen Saints............175......(43)

96-98......Weston Park Boys.......4.........(1)

98-00......Fareham YTS (loan).....3.........(0)

99-01......Itchen Tyro...............32.......(5)

02-03......John Lewis FC............2.........(1)

03-05......Trefforest Town..........6........(2)

03-04......Lichtenstein B.............18.......(8)

03-06......Uni Glam...................16.......(3)

05-06......Dinnas Powys.............3.........(0)

07-.........SVS.........................2.........(1)

..........................TOTAL........261......(64)

Honours:

1997 Managers Player of the Season (Itchen Saints)

1998 Sub Cup Runners Up Medal (Itchen Saints)

1999 Division 4 Runners Up Medal (Itchen Saints)

2004 Intercontinental League Stage Winners (Lichtenstein B)

2004 Intercontinental Cup 4th place (Lichtenstein B)

2006 Division 1 Champions (Dinnas Powys)

Bio: James started his career by signing for Itchen Saints on a free transfer in the summer of 1992, and was quickly tipped as a potential star for the future after scoring on his debut in his then familier position of centerback. This crop of players to sign for Itchen Saints who started in the Southampton Tyro League as an Under-8s outfit and included such names as Lawrence Ridd, Mark Read and Daniel Kingdon, each of whom went on to have illustrious and lucrative playing careers (most noteable was Mark Reed's boot deal with Puma King). Previous players for Itchen Saints include former England International Darren Anderton who also had a Premiership Career. As the years progressed with Itchen Saints, James, showed his versatility by proving he could hold down a regular first team slot in different postions. He was the clubs second top scorer on 8 in the 96-97 season behind Jeremy Fishlock who netted on no fewer than 18 occasions, along the way collecting the acolade of Managers Player of the Season, before dropping back to play the remainder of his Itchen Saints Career as a 'keeper, this happened after the transfer of Daniel Kingdon, Itchen Saints 1st choice 'keeper, to Itchen Tyro in the summer of 1998 for an undisclosed fee. The 97-98 season ended in disappointment for James as Itchen Saints could only secure a 4th place finish in the league but enjoyed a good cup run getting the the quater finals of the Hampshire Cup. During this season transfer speculation was rife surrounding James' career with City Eagles and Itchen Tyro both showing an interest in the player who was rated at around £2,000, however nothing came of the rumours. The 98-99 team showed a lot of potential and played some outstanding football on the way to a 2nd place league finish and also a runners up medal in the coverted Sub Cup. Itchen Saints also recorded their biggest league victory this season beating Holbury Town 18-0. At the end of the season with 2 runners up medals in the trophy cabinet turmoil hit the family club and unfortunately for James Itchen Saints went into administration and the club could no longer operate. Debts had spiralled out of control with the purchase of a new kit and the failure of the Director to secure a long term sponsorship deal for the club after allowing the current deal with Cobra Installations (rumoured to be around £5,000pa) to lapse. During his time with Itchen Saints, James was widely regarded as a stallwart and formed many a great partnership wherever he played this led to him receiving a call up from Weston Park and then later Fareham YTS. The 99-00 season saw James don the black and yellow of Itchen Tyro where he formed an illusive partnership with Robert Smith, also known as Pob, in the heart of the Tyro midfield. There he helped the team finish a respectable 5th in the league and also reach the last 16 of the Hampshire Cup before losing 3-1 to Vosper's. The 00-01 Season was a lot tougher and Itchen Tyro had off field difficulties with management and finished a lowly 8th. James took a break from football after that season until a call from John Lewis ignited his passion for the game once again. He managed just 2 appearences scoring 1 goal before moving abroad to Wales for Uni. He joined Treforest Town and played right wing starting 6 games and getting on the scoresheet twice. He wore the number 15 shirt. James' best record as a player was probably during his time at Lichtenstein B during the 03-04 Season where he netted on no fewer than 8 occasions during an 18 match spell at the club. He partnered Ric Purcell (formally of Manchester United YTS) in attack. Lichtenstein B managed success by being crowned Intercontinental League Stage Winners and qualifying for the knock-out cup stages where they finished 4th, losing 2-1 in the 3rd/4th place playoff final. Following this sucess James was called upon by Uni of Glam where he played 16 games scoring 3 crucial goals (one coming against hometown club Southampton Uni). In his later days James represented Dinnas Powys where he played as a make shift center back to ease their defensive worries and helped them to the League Championship Title. Currently James has signed for SVS and having scored on his debut got off to a great start, however a freak toe injury in his second appearance looks to have possibly ended a 15 year career which has seen many highs. Perhaps James never did live upto his wonderkid reputation but loyalty to Itchen Saints in his early years prevented him possibly persuing a semi-professional career in Soccer. James now resides in Southampton and lives alone, although happy, with 2 cats and a fussball table to recreate moments throughout his career! He now helps young homeless and kids from minority backgrounds gain advantage in life by coaching them on a football field.

Jimbo has always been in a public spot light with his football and in 1995 appeared in a documentary whilst playing fot Itchen Saints. He has graced the back pages of the Southern Daily Echo no fewer than 3 times and has also featured in the Tyro League section. In a recent interview with Jimbo he commented that "although my best position was always as a keeper and I could have made a career from playing in this position, I didn't like to play their, instead I liked to get out and link up the play just behind the main strikers". Who knows what more there is to come from the man, recently 22, who has been dogged by injuries throughout his career. A number of serious knee injuries, the last and most noteable coming in 2003, have certainly not helped his quest for glory and his latest injury with his toe will have to be carefully monitored before he is scheduled to make a comback on 7th June. Jimbo said "I was delighted to have signed for SVS, I think its a great club with a lot of potential, I am gutted to have picked up another injury the toe and also my ankle are suffering after a collision, but I am sure I can make my come back in June's tournament and we'll see how it goes from there...". Fans across the south are keeping their fingers crossed that Jimbo can make a further comeback from injury, the 22 year old has always adheard himself to the fans and says that it is them who have helped him through his worst moments in football!

Jimbo's Squad Numbers

Itchen Saints: 1, 5, 15

Weston Park: 5

Fareham YTS: 1

Itchen Tyro: 5

John Lewis: 11

Trefforest Town: 15

Lichtenstein B: 5

Uni of Glam: 76 (requested by Jimbo as Saints won the FA Cup in 1976 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of lifting the cup)

Dinnas Powys: 5

SVS: 7

Career Cards: Yellow 6 Red 0

Games to Goals: 4.078 games

Foot Size: 12

Shirt Size: L/XL

Favoured Number: 5

Pass Completion: 62%

Cross Completion: 23%

Shot Accuracy: 18%

Trivia:

- Jimbo shares the record for most appearances for Itchen Saints with Loz Ridd and Mark Reed (175)

- Lichtenstein B's name was not taken from the country but from the teams fondness of a pop artist called Roy Lichtenstein.

- During Jimbo's stint as captain of Itchen Saints the club enjoyed a 12 match unbeaten run. However they drew 7 of these fixtures.