Dean Ashton

[Albie Beck]

Very sad news, if not unexpected. What Deano could have done for our club, particularly in the current situation...

A few comparisons have been made, but he reminds me a bit of Johnny Byrne, someone else who was nor a conventional C/F but a very talented footballer. He also had his career restricted by injury. Deano could have been an England regular too, and an integral part of next year's WC squad. Anyone who thinks a comfortable retirement at 26 will be any compensation for losing out on all that is way off the mark imo.

Good luck, Dean.

[simon hammer]

Shame. Still...it's not like he's short of a penny or two and, if we're honest, who wouldn't want to give up the daily grind at the age of 26?

If it meant doing some l loved, I wouldn't wanna give it up.

Indeed. It's sad that to some people money matters more than anything else in life, it would seem.

Must be a pretty sad life

So you wouldn't want to retire at 26 with more than enough money to see you through comfortably?

Also, he's only 26 and is still young enough to carve out another career for himself.

[Iron Spine v2.0]

So you wouldn't want to retire at 26 with more than enough money to see you through comfortably?

Of course, no Joe Average likes their job!

Deano being told he can't play footie anymore is like someone telling me I can't surf KUMB anymore. I'd die inside.

[mcinerney7]

Is there anyway to see the press conference please?

[the pink palermo]

Is there a bad smell going to come on the insurance .

Gordon Taylor in his press release stated that when a player is on England duty it is up to the club to inform the FA how much cover they require .

I wonder if the entire issue boils down to the fact that he was insured for the value of the contract he had whilst on England duty,but will be trying to claim the value of the contract yhe was subsequently awarded .

Hence his thoughts on suing SWP ( allegedly).

[kthammer]

I can see why a testimonial might not be appropriate but it would be nice if they let Deano onto the pitch before the next home game to say goodbye.
We've all been frustrated by his injury record but I don't know anyone who doubted his ability or desire.

[Kent Bubble Blower]

Simon, I think there's a slight difference from retiring from sitting behind a desk/lugging bricks/fixing motors/whatever nine to five, every day and retiring from playing top-level professional football.

Yes, he may be set up for life but that doesn't mean he'll enjoy not being able to do something that he obviously had a passion for.

[FDiMcA]

like someone telling me I can't surf KUMB anymore. I'd die inside.

amen brother

On the other hand you may then start to live a bit outside

[Midfield Dynamo]

Sad news

He was a fantastic talent , a player who could well of been in this coming world cup squad , instead he has retired.

Bad news for himself , us and England.

A sad day for football when a potential world class players has to retire at the age of 26.

Good luck Deano in the future !

[Stoeff.at]

saddest day since relegation.

[Iron Spine v2.0]

like someone telling me I can't surf KUMB anymore. I'd die inside.

amen brother

On the other hand you may then start to live a bit outside

Outside?

Got a link?

[simon hammer]

Simon, I think there's a slight difference from retiring from sitting behind a desk/lugging bricks/fixing motors/whatever nine to five, every day and retiring from playing top-level professional football.

I agree mate, I really do. I'm only looking at Deanos situation in a cold light though...and the facts are he is young and rich. Like I said, he can still have another career due to his (relatively) young age...and I'd much rather listen to him on MoTD than Shearer or Lawro!

[sendô]

How's your ****ing luck eh? We've all known this was going to happen for a while but it just continues the right bum luck West Ham have had. We signed a top quality striker at the young age of 22 and never got to see him in his peak - or even had him in the first team for any length of time.

Ashton and Tevez, Ashton and Bellamy, Ashton and Cole. There's three tasty looking strike partnerships that could well have seen us alright.

Best of luck to Deano, I'd imagine he's even more gutted than we are.

[SxHammer]

It's true that an injury free Ashton would have been an England regular, he wouldn't have been a West Ham legend though. He would have been at Man United by now.

[Stillhatewillieyoung]

Sad, and i can only wish him all the best for the future

At least he will live on in Fifa 09, keeping Tevez/Eduardo on the bench..

Wonder if the FA are getting nervous.after all one player can make a difference, and if
we get relegated by a few points...tell you what cancel the Sheff Utd ruling and we'll call it
quits

Only thing is we are hopefully above all that, but Ashton would have been valuable this season.

[Tel The Hammer]

Sad news, although we all knew it was coming.

We finally get ahold of a top class forward in his prime and this happens. Just sums up our luck as a club.

[DM]

...and like my dreams, They fade and die

[3times]

Could have been a great but just about shows the luck we have had as a club in the last few years.

As for suing - I say go for it. Its about time we had a go instead of just taking it!

As someone said before, if he was fit we may not have signed the Argies and therefore would not be paying the northern sl*gs.

So we are possibly £25m out of pocket, his career earnings would have been around £25m (ave £2.5 pa for 10 years) and then the fact that we would have undoubtedly got into the champs league with him playing (based on the SU judgement of one man can make all the difference), that equates to say another £100m but lets say £200m just for the sake of it. So total compensation of £250m split between SWP, Chelski and the Incumbents at the FA.

And my commission for arranging this will be just 1%!

[rompling]

Very sad if not unexpected news was a great pro for us and his otther two clubs - wish him well and hope like some other legendary magers who were forced to retire early through injury goes on to make a real name for himself in mangement
Good luck deano !!

[movieweb]

Thanks for some great memories, Deano! You were a true Hammer and it was an honor to watch you.

As they say, one door closes and another opens. Best of luck with your next venture.