Ashley Nicholls

Ashley Nicholls

Born 30 October 1981 (Age 23 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #213)

Total appearances 34 – 1 goal

(30 League, 1 League Cup, 1 League Trophy, 2 Maunsell Cup)

First spell

Debut: 9 August 2005 (Away Mansfield Town)

Final game: 8 November 2005 (Away Rothwell Town)

Second spell

Debut: 2 January 2006 (Home Bristol Rovers)

Final game: 6 May 2006 (Home Barnet)

Ashley started out in the youth team at Ipswich Town but failed to progress into the first team squad. He went out on loan to Canvey Island in March 2002 just before being released by Ipswich two months later. He moved north to Darlingtonwhere he played 76 times at the League Two club, but went out on loan to Cambridge United in February 2004 and after being released in the summer, joined them on a permanent basis. He came to Rushden & Diamonds on a one month loan deal on 8 August 2005, later extended to three before returning to Cambridge. He had another loan spell after the transfer window opened on 1 January 2006, staying until the end of the season.

He joined Grays Athletic during the summer of 2006 but was released after just one season joining Boston United. Again, his stay only lasted the one season, and he signed for Maidenhead United on 3 May 2008, becoming their captain. He then left the Magpies to join Bishop’s Stortford prior to the start of the 2009-10 season on a two-year contract. In a bid to cut wages however, he went on loan to fellow Conference South side Newport County on 24 December 2009, with a view to him joining them on a permanent basis, although this option was not taken up and he returned after two months. He was released by mutual consent and signed for Conference South side Eastleigh on 12 March 2010 until the end of the season. On 4 June 2010, he rejoined Conference South side Maidenhead United, where he remained for the season. On 1 June 2011, he joined fellow Conference South side Dorchester Town, extending his stay for the following season in May 2012. After two seasons with the Magpies, he left at the end of May 2013. On 5 June 2013, it was announced he had signed for fellow Conference South side Bromley. After spending the 2013/14 season there, followed by a brief spell back at Maidenhead he returned to Dorchester Town in October 2015, but was released shortly afterwards due to budget cuts. He is now focussed on his career with Cancer Research UK. He made a brief return to the game in November 2018 with Leiston FC.

Appearances

2005/2006 – squad number 15