Supporters of West Ham United have been waxing lyrical over Dean Ashton after the club posted footage of the Hammers’ former striker.
On Friday, the Irons shared footage in which the retired frontman was watching footage of his goals for the London club with his two sons (per West Ham), which supporters loved.
Could Dean Ashton have been a club legend at West Ham had he not had to retire?Yes, he was fantastic for us
No, good but not that good |
"Those red boots… They look terrible on you, dad!" ?@TheDeanAshton watches back his West Ham United goals with his two sons, Ethan (12) and Lucas (9). This is a must watch ?? pic.twitter.com/Gpi53Xbnzg
— West Ham United (@WestHam) March 20, 2020
You just know he would have been our best ever striker in the modern era, had he not had that career ending injury!
— Hammer H (@bonzomoore) March 20, 2020
That’s absolutely magic. Great kids. Very under-rated overhead at Man Utd. I was there that day and I think that was the only time we touched the ball!
— Fazzamania (@fazzamania) March 20, 2020
How good would he have been ??so unfortunate
— Big Al?? (@GawthropAlex) March 20, 2020
The 36-year-old spent around three years with the Hammers between 2006 and 2009, having joined from Norwich City and retiring from football upon his departure (per Transfermarkt).
Ashton retired from the game prematurely in 2009, after succumbing to an ankle injury (per The Guardian), which left fans wondering what might have been.
This is ace, more of this please.
— Tristan Beer (@TristanBeer) March 20, 2020
Top player
— Andrew Battle (@andy_s_battle) March 20, 2020
What an incredible finisher you were, when we signed John Hartson and then Ian Wright, I felt that the level of finishing had gone up but when you came in, it was another level on that.
— Christopher Peacock (@Chriswhufc107) March 20, 2020
Was truly gutted for Deano ??. Can we get Haller to watch this?
— Chris (@MR_bucket5) March 20, 2020
What do we think?
While at Upton Park, Ashton bagged an impressive 19 goals and three assists over 56 appearances for the Irons (as per Transfermarkt).
So, it is perhaps clear to see why West Ham fans hold the former striker in such high regard and rue what could have been had the frontman not had to retire through injury (per The Guardian).