Lee Ashcroft - Player Profile

Lee was signed by Bruce Rioch on 4th August 2000 and thus ended a three year long wait to bring him to Latics. John Deehan and Ray Mathias tried to sign him whilst the Blues were based at Springfield Park and John Benson failed in an attempt to acquire Lee’s services during the previous season at the JJB Stadium. He signed a three-year deal and was seen as the ideal replacement for the departed Stuart Barlow. He made his Latics League debut on 12th August 2000 against Swansea City at the Vetch Field on the opening day of the season. The game resulted in a 0-0 draw.

He never could fill the boots of Barlow and he found himself failing to make a regular first team place his own. He left the JJB Stadium on 10th October 2002 when he joined Second Division rivals Port Vale in a loan deal that was hoped to be made permanent after a month. However, the deal never materialised and Lee returned to the JJB Stadium only to be loaned out to Huddersfield Town on 9th December 2002. After playing four games for the Terriers and missing one through injury he returned to the JJB Stadium on 13th January 2003. By the 6th February 2003 he had had his contract paid up and he left the club. He made 37 (9) League appearances and scored 8 League goals for the Blues.

After leaving Latics he drifted into non league football with Conference outfit Southport, playing for a number of clubs before becoming the manager of Kendal Town in January 2007. His assistant was former Latic Ian Kilford.  Lee also managed Northwich Victoria and Longridge Town.