Skysports.com breaks down Dean Ashton's career after he was forced to call time on his career.
Skysports.com breaks down Dean Ashton's career after he was forced to call time on his career at just 26.
1983: Born in Crewe on November 24.
2000: October 28 - Makes his competitive debut for Crewe Alexandra in a 1-0 league win over Gillingham.
2001: February 2 - Given full professional status by Crewe.
February 3 - Scores his first senior goal in a 4-2 win over Burnley at Gresty Road.
2003: May - Finishes the 2002-03 campaign with 16 goals as Crewe win automatic promotion back to English football's second tier.
2004: February 17 - Makes a goalscoring debut for England Under-21s in a 3-2 win over Holland in Hull.
Norwich move
January 11 - Completes a £3million move to Norwich.
January 22 - Scores on his home debut for the Canaries in 4-4 draw with Middlesbrough.
May - Scores seven goals for Norwich in 16 games, finishing the season with 27 goals in all competitions, but the East Anglian side are relegated to the Championship.
2006: January 22 - Joins West Ham in a £7.25million deal.
February 4 - Scores first goal for the Hammers as they beat Sunderland 2-0 at Upton Park.
May 13 - Scores West Ham's second goal in FA Cup final against Liverpool, but after the match ends 3-3 following extra-time the Reds win 3-1 on penalties.
Call-up
August 11 - Called up to England squad for friendly international with Greece.
August 15 - Breaks ankle in training the day before the match at Old Trafford which rules him out for the whole of the 2006-07 season.
2007: July 14 - Ashton finally makes his long-awaited return in a pre-season friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge.
August 11 - Makes first Premier League appearance against Manchester City, coming on as a substitute for George McCartney in the second half.
September 15 - Scores first goal of the season in 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Upton Park.
October 5 - Ashton is named in England's squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Estonia and Russia but does not feature in either match.
2008: May - Ends the 2007-08 season having played 31 league games for West Ham, scoring 10 goals.
England debut
June 1 - Makes England debut in friendly victory over Trinidad and Tobago.
June 4 - Signs new five-year contract.
August 16 - Scores twice as West Ham kick off the 2008-09 season with a home win over Wigan.
September 13 - Forced off after 19 minutes of the Hammers' league match away to West Brom, his last appearance of the season.
2009: July - Stoke chairman Peter Coates confirms interest in signing Ashton but the move fails to materialise.
December 11 - Announces his retirement from professional football, aged 26, after failing to overcome a long-term ankle injury.
