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Thomas Asher (21 December 1936 – 11 March 2017) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Notts County. He also played for Peterborough United, Ilkeston Town, Ransome & Marles, Grantham Town, Eastwood Town, and Keyworth United.[1] Tommy represented England Schoolboys during his youth and played alongside Manchester United's Duncan Edwards.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Asher | ||
| Date of birth | 21 December 1936 | ||
| Place of birth | Dunscroft, Yorkshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 11 March 2017 (aged 80) | ||
| Position(s) | Inside forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Doncaster Schoolboys | |||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1954–1959 | Notts County | 31 | (4) |
| 1959–1960 | Peterborough United | 40 | (30) |
| 1959–1960 | Peterborough United | 2 | (0) |
| 1960– 1962 | Ilkeston Town | 30 | (8) |
| 1963–1964 | Ransome & Marles | ||
| 1964–1966 | Grantham Town | ||
| 1966–1967 | Keyworth United | ||
| Total | 103 | (42) | |
| International career | |||
| England Schoolboys | 3 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Early life
editAsher was born on 21 December 1936 and was raised in Dunscroft, Yorkshire.[2]
Youth career
editDoncaster Schoolboys
editAs a young boy, Asher rose to prominence thanks to his performances with Doncaster Schoolboys. After impressing the England coaches with his ability, he was called up to play for his country at Schoolboy level. He went on to play three times at this level.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
editWhen Asher was in his mid-teens, he was approached by top clubs. He was contemplating Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. At this time, Sir Matt Busby visited Asher's home in Dunscroft to influence his choice. At the time, Wolves were the more successful team. This managed to turn Asher's head. He signed for the club's youth team. He was a key figure in the 1954 team that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup against Manchester United. However, he could not play due to an injury. He scored twice in the cup run against Derby County and Spalding United. He was instrumental in helping the Wolves youth team win the Birmingham and District League title in the same season.
Club career
editNotts County
editIn 1954, Asher joined Notts County and played there for five years. In that time, he made 31 first-team appearances and scored 4 goals. The club's coaches urged Asher to play in the reserve team before his debut to build his confidence and ability. He spent three seasons with the reserves before making his senior debut in a home game against Swansea Town (as they were then) in September 1957. Notts were beaten 4–2 but gained revenge in the return fixture a week later, winning 3–1, with Tommy scoring the first of his four goals for the Magpies. He remained a squad player until 1959 when he left the Magpies to join Peterborough United.
Peterborough United
editAsher dropped out of League football and moved to non-League club Peterborough United in 1959. At the time, they competed in the Midland League.[3] Due to the sheer brilliance of rival inside forward Dennis Emery, Asher struggled to forge a first-team position, so they competed frequently for the reserves. He was described as "a clever little player who certainly knew how to score," he showed that during his only season for the Posh when he scored 30 goals. He was a prolific goal scorer for the reserves and even scored 4 goals in one match against Harwich & Parkeston on 10 October 1959 in the Eastern Counties League.
He made two first-team appearances for the Posh, the first a 2–1 loss against Ashington. Asher kept his place for the next Posh game, away at Spennymoor Town, which Posh won 3–1. However, it proved to be his final first-team game for the club as he left at the end of the season to join Ilkeston Town.
Ilkeston Town
editAfter spending just one season at the Posh, he returned to Nottinghamshire to join Ilkeston Town in the Central Alliance League in 1960. He joined up with the squad just before the start of the 1960/61 season and scored the winning goal on his debut in an away win against Nottingham Forest. His footballing artistry was seen firsthand but not frequently enough, which resulted in his release in 1961. His final appearance was against Sutton Town on 14 October 1961. Asher went on to appear for Ransome & Marles, Grantham Town and Eastwood Town before playing for his final full-time club, Keyworth United, in 1966.
Personal life
editIn 1957, at the age of 21, he married Glennis May Asher. They had three children together: Neil, Tracey and Sally. Their children are Tom, Poppy, Milly, Charlotte, Alex, Jack and Katie. Towards the end of his life, he became a great-grandad to Kieran and Evie-May.
Death
editTommy Asher died at 80 on 11 March 2017 in his home in Gotham, Nottinghamshire.
References
edit- ^ "Notts County Former Players' Association Members List". Notts County Former Players' Association. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Club Historian Pays Tribute To Tommy Asher". Peterborough United F.C. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- ^ "Local sporting highlights from this week in years gone by". Peterborough Telegraph. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2014.