‘Ever-present’ Jack Ashby awarded with his 150 AFC Mackworth appearances cap

Jack Ashby became the first player in AFC Mackworth history to achieve 150 club appearances with his 150th coming during of the 2023/24 season. 

The versatile midfielder was awarded with his cap at the team’s last training session, becoming the first ever player to pick the award up. 

Ashby first joined AFC Mackworth upon its creation in 2015 and has been at the club ever since, picking up a total of 157 appearances along the way. 

Often deemed ‘The Mackworth James Milner’, Jack Ashby has played in every position on the pitch (excluding goalkeeper) during his time at the club, highlighting his versatility and commitment to the team.

The club’s leading appearance maker achieved his 50th appearance in the 2017/18 season and achieved his 100thappearance in the 2020/21 season. 

Whilst paying all over the pitch Jack Ashby has amassed a total of 28 goals and 35 assists, an incredible amount of contributions despite assists not being counted in the club’s debut season.

Following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season the midfielder was sitting top of the club’s all-time appearances list and 8th in the club’s all-time scoring list, making him one for the club’s history books.

Chairman and First Team manager Dan Willis has been coaching Ashby since the player first joined newly formed AFC Mackworth in 2015, he said: “Jack has been an ever-present at AFC Mackworth, playing ever position for me as a manager, except goalkeeper,”

“His versatility and commitment make him an integral part of the team.”

Ashby’s commitment to AFC Mackworth is valued by the manager who has awarded Jack with the captain’s armband a handful of times throughout his AFC Mackworth career. 

However Jack Ashby is not just valued as a footballer at AFC Mackworth, his character and personal attributes are something manager Dan Willis has spoken very highly of.

“Jack truly epitomises everything good about this football club, his dedication, character and energy are a constant source of inspiration for those around him,” he said. 

“Jack is an absolute pleasure to have around the place,” Dan added.

Everyone at AFC Mackworth would like to thank Jack Ashby for his commitment, loyalty and his contributions throughout his career at the club, becoming our first ever player to achieve 150 total appearances, scoring and creating many goals and wearing the captain’s armband on occasions.

We look forward to many more contributions from Jack in the future.