Coaching Career
In 1963 he was appointed player-coach of the Wigan club, a position that he held for a further six years before hanging up his boots as a player in 1969. He would continue on his managerial role at the club for another four years.
Following the 1973 season Ashton resigned his post as Wigan coach and moved to Leeds for a short spell before moving on to coach St Helens from May 1974 to May 1980, including two Challenge Cup finals in 1976 and 1978. In 1996 he was appointed Chairman of his old club and was at the helm when they won the double that year.
In 2005 Ashton was also inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame and the British Rugby League Hall of Fame. He is also an inductee of the Wigan Hall of Fame. Prior to his death, Ashton was a director at St. Helens for almost fifteen years.
On 20 March 2008 it was announced that Eric had died at the age of 73 after a long battle with cancer.
Read more about this topic: Eric Ashton
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“A black boxer’s career is the perfect metaphor for the career of a black male. Every day is like being in the gym, sparring with impersonal opponents as one faces the rudeness and hostility that a black male must confront in the United States, where he is the object of both fear and fascination.”
—Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)