Eric Ashton

Eric Ashton MBE (24 January 1935 – 20 March 2008) was an English professional Rugby League World Cup-winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s and later a coach. He played his whole first grade football career for Wigan along with at times both captaining and coaching them; his position of choice was right centre. Over the span of his career he came to be known as one of the best centres in the modern game and formed a devastating partnership with Billy Boston somewhat because of this combination he went on to represent the Great Britain national side making his debut in 1957. After his retirement from league in 1969, Ashton went on to coach Wigan as well as Leeds, St. Helens and Great Britain; he also had a brief stint as chairman of St Helens in 1996. He was a member of the St Helens board for fifteen years.