Very sad news that Alf has passed away. He’s not enjoyed the best of health the past couple of years but still managed to get back to live in his own house on Wallerscote Road in Weaverham.
We will of course be respecting him before the match on Saturday when we should have details concerning his funeral arrangements.
ALFRED ASHLEY
RIGHT HALF / CENTRE HALF
BORN: Weaverham Qtr 3 1924
DEBUT: 25/8/45 v Rhyl(h) FINALE: 7/2/59 v Wrexham Res.(a)
APPEARANCES - League 478 Cup 126 TOTAL = 604
GOALS - League 36 Cup 9 TOTAL = 45
FORMER CLUBS: Everton(2 in 44/45)
LATER CLUBS: NONE but still played cricket for Weaverham
One of the great triumvirate of long serving post-war Witton players along with Johnny Goryl and Brian Pritchard.
Although I’m not old enough to have seen him play I did know Alf quite well and he was a real gentleman who always had a smile on his face and a friendly word for everyone. He will be sadly missed.
I remember playing for Parks’ Steelworks at centre half alongside John Goryl versus Parks’ shop floor team inc AA as their centre half. It was a waste of time going up for corners and I told JG to mark Alf at their corners.
Was too young to see him play for Witton but on the evidence of that match he was some player, and a gentleman to work with at Parks’.