Few players left as positive impression on the Claret and Blue Army in such a short space of time as Dean Ashton - appearing at Club London presents ‘Icons’ with Lilley Plummer Risks at The Indigo at The O2 on Tuesday 2 December.
Signed from Norwich City in January 2006, the centre-forward fired West Ham United to a first FA Cup final in 26 years and helped the newly-promoted Hammers finish in the top half of the Premier League table on their return to the top-flight.
Ashton scored on his full debut in a Premier League win over Sunderland, then again on his second start in a victory over Birmingham City, before making it three goals in his first five appearances in a draw with Everton.
His seventh game for the Club is arguably the one he is best remembered for as Ashton’s two goals fired Alan Pardew’s side past Manchester City and into the FA Cup semi-finals.
A win over Middlesbrough took West Ham into the final, where Ashton’s goal put the Irons 2-0 up against favourites Liverpool and on the cusp of a first major trophy in a generation. The Londoners led 3-2 when the No9 was replaced, only for Steven Gerrard’s late leveller and an agonising penalty shootout defeat to deny the Hammers the trophy.
Ashton’s career took a turn in August 2006 when he suffered a broken ankle while on England duty. He missed the entire 2006/07 season and, despite doing all he could to return to his best, the injury ultimately led to his retirement in December 2009, aged just 26.
Sixteen years on, West Ham supporters continue to wonder what might have been, and continue to hold the striker in the highest regard.
He moved into media work and was commentating for talkSPORT when the Hammers won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Prague in 2023. While he played just 56 games and scored 19 goals for the Club, Ashton’s fondness for West Ham United endures, as does the supporters’ fondness for their former No9.
Ashton will recount stories of how he joined the Hammers, his favourite goals, teammates and moments in Claret and Blue, and many more when Club London presents ‘Icons’ with Lilley Plummer Risks at The Indigo at The O2 on Tuesday 2 December.
One thing is for sure, he will receive a warm welcome when he joins Paolo Di Canio, Stuart Pearce, hosts Tony Gale and Josh Denzel on stage for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of football, entertainment and premium hospitality.
“I don’t think that six months could have gone any better, apart from winning the FA Cup,” Ashton recalled. “It was just a fairytale six months. We had great fun and I found it so easy to get integrated into the side. It was no surprise for me that I could play and express myself in some of the games as well as I did and make an impact and score goals. It didn’t feel difficult. It felt easy to join in at what was a really buoyant place to play football.
“For us to go on to the FA Cup quarter-finals, get past Manchester City away, get to the semi-finals and beat Middlesbrough. The semi-final was one of the best days I’ve ever had in football. To be part of that cup final was amazing. I can look back now with a lot of pride but, obviously at the time, it was gutting to not get our hands on the trophy. That would have been an unbelievable end to an incredible season for everybody.
“Hopefully the West Ham fans could be proud of the performance we were giving in the FA Cup final against the reigning European champions. Every West Ham fan loves football and it was so hard to not love the football side of that FA Cup final. It will go down as one of the best in history because of how exciting it was. It was just unfortunate we couldn’t get it over the line because I felt we had deserved the victory.
“It’s lovely to think though that, even though you’ve lost a final, the supporters are still as proud of you as if we had won it because of the display we put on and the way we held ourselves.”
Club London presents ‘Icons’ is selling fast, so don’t miss out on a night in the presence of true West Ham greats.
Standard Admission is priced at just £99, and Kings Row seats are priced at just £199.
VIP packages include premium West Ham United Club London hospitality, kicking-off with a welcome reception and meet-and-greet with legends, a three-course gourmet meal with unlimited drinks, entertainment, an exclusive auction of one-off memorabilia and experiences and a VIP after-party.
VIP Tables are priced at £5,400 for ten guests, or you can enhance your night by sharing a Legend Table with your heroes for £7,500 or £10,200.
Join Dean Ashton at Club London ‘Icons’ this December by securing your place or Table HERE.
All prices are inclusive of VAT. This event is open to supporters aged 18 and over.
