Ashley Hunter (footballer)

Ashley Hunter

Personal information
Full name	Ashley Matthew Hunter [1]
Date of birth	(1995-09-29) 29 September 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth	Derby, England
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Accrington Stanley
Number	45
Youth career
	Derby County [2]
	Aston Villa [2]
	Barnsley [3]
–2014	Burton Albion
2014	Ilkeston
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2015	Ilkeston	10	(4)
2015–2020	Fleetwood Town	181	(31)
2020	→ Salford City (loan)	11	(5)
2020–2022	Salford City	74	(8)
2022–2023	Morecambe	20	(1)
2023–2024	Milton Keynes Dons	6	(0)
2024	AFC Fylde	12	(1)
2024–	Accrington Stanley	8	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:06, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Ashley "Ash" Matthew Hunter (born 29 September 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two side Accrington Stanley.

After spending time in the youth setups of several clubs in the Midlands and Yorkshire, Hunter began his career with non-league Ilkeston, where he made his début in 2014. He quickly attracted the attention of Fleetwood Town, where he made over 200 appearances before departing for Salford in 2020.

Career

Early career

Hunter joined Northern Premier League side Ilkeston after being released by Burton Albion in summer 2014. After scoring 13 goals for Ilkeston's under-21 side, ^[4] he made an immediate impact in the first team, scoring twice in his first start for the club. ^[5] He was signed by League One side Fleetwood Town for a "sizeable fee" in January 2015. ^[6]

Fleetwood Town

Hunter made his Fleetwood début on 7 February, coming on as substitute in a 1–1 with Peterborough United in a League One fixture and almost setting up a goal for Jamie Proctor. ^[7] His first goal came on 6 April when he scored Fleetwood's final goal in a 4–0 win against Yeovil Town. ^[8] His next goal came on 6 October in the first game of new manager Steven Pressley, scoring the equaliser in an eventual 2–1 victory against Shrewsbury Town in the second round of the EFL Trophy. ^[9] On Boxing Day, Hunter came on as a substitute and scored instantly to secure a 1–1 draw in the league against Shrewsbury. ^[10]

On 10 August 2016, Hunter scored an 11th-minute equaliser against Leeds United in the first round of the EFL Cup, taking the two teams into a penalty shoot-out which Fleetwood lost 5–4, with Hunter converting his penalty. ^[11] A week later, Hunter signed a new three-year contract with Fleetwood. ^[12] The next day, he came on as a substitute and scored to make it 2–0 against Oxford United to secure Fleetwood's first win of the season. ^[13] On 27 August, he scored his sides second in another 2–0 win, this time away to Southend United, their first away victory of the season. ^[14] Hunter was awarded the man of the match for his performance in the FA Cup first round replay against Southport, scoring one goal and creating another in extra-time of a 4–1 win. ^[15] In the replay of their second-round game against Shrewsbury, Hunter scored the winning goal in the 95th minute to help Fleetwood complete a comeback from 2–0 down, and reach the third round for the second time in their history. ^[16]

On 9 September, Hunter scored a 93rd-minute penalty to secure a point at home to Oldham Athletic, ^[17] and three days later he scored the winning goal against Bury in a 3–2 victory. ^[18] on Boxing Day, Hunter scored Fleetwood's second goal of a 2–1 win in the reverse fixture against Oldham, their first win in nine games. ^[19] He opened the scoring four days later in the second league meeting against Bury, a 2–0 victory which ensured back-to-back away wins for the first time in the season. ^[20] On 25 February 2018, Hunter scored the first goal in the reign of new manager John Sheridan, scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Milton Keynes. ^[21] In March 2018, he signed a new three-year deal to keep him contracted to the club until 2021. ^[22]

On 14 August, Hunter scored the winning penalty in the first round of the EFL Cup after a 1–1 draw with Crewe Alexandra. ^[23] On 1 September, he scored the winner to help new manager Joey Barton win his first home game as manager, a 2–1 win against Bradford City. ^[24] After receiving five yellow cards in the opening nine games, Hunter received a one-match ban, missing a fixture against Barnsley as a result. ^[25]

On 2 March 2019, he came off the bench to score Fleetwood's second in a 2–0 win against Plymouth Argyle, keeping their chances of a play-off place alive. ^[26] On 19 April, he scored a 94th-minute equaliser against Peterborough United, helping keep the pressure off Barton. ^[27]

Salford City (loan)

In January 2020, Fleetwood manager Joey Barton reported that he was due to go out on loan to Salford City after an agreement was made between the clubs. ^[28] The move was later confirmed by Salford. ^[29]

On 18 January, Hunter was sent off on his début after picking up two yellow cards in a match against Forest Green Rovers. ^[30] He scored his first goal for the club ten days later, scoring the third goal of a 4–0 away win against Cambridge United, when he "hooked a fine finish into the far corner". ^[31] On 7 March, Hunter scored both goals in a 2–0 victory against Bradford City, ^[32] the first of which was later voted Salford's goal of the season.

Salford City

Hunter joined Salford permanently on 17 July, signing a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. ^[33] He scored his first goal after rejoining the club on the opening day of the 2020–21 season against Exeter City, scoring the equalising goal in a 2–2 draw. ^[34] On 24 November, he scored two "stunning" goals in a 2–1 victory over Morecambe. ^[35] On 6 December, Hunter scored the only goal against Barrow in the club's first Football League game with an attendance since 1972. ^[36] He was released by Salford at the end of the 2021–22 season. ^[37]

Morecambe

On 12 July 2022, Hunter joined League One club Morecambe on a one-year deal. ^[38]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 4 August 2023, Hunter joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons on a free transfer following his release from Morecambe. ^[39] He made his debut a day later in the opening game of the 2023–24 season on 5 August 2023, in a 5–3 away win over Wrexham having come on as a 78th-minute substitute. ^[40]

On 26 January 2024, Hunter departed the club having had his contract terminated by mutual consent. ^[41]

AFC Fylde

On 31 January 2024, Hunter joined National League club AFC Fylde on a short-term contract until the end of the season. ^[42] He departed the club at the end of his short-term contract. ^[43]

Accrington Stanley

On 6 August 2024, Hunter joined Accrington Stanley on a one year deal. ^[44]

Career statistics

As of 31 January 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Ilkeston	2014–15 [45] [46]	NPL Premier Division	10	4	0	0	—		4 [a]	0	14	4
Fleetwood Town	2014–15 [47]	League One	12	1	—		—		—		12	1
	2015–16 [48]	League One	24	5	0	0	0	0	4 [b]	2	28	7
	2016–17 [49]	League One	44	8	6	2	1	1	4 [c]	0	55	11
	2017–18 [50]	League One	44	9	5	0	1	0	5 [b]	0	55	9
	2018–19 [51]	League One	43	8	3	1	1	0	0	0	47	9
	2019–20 [52]	League One	14	0	1	1	1	0	3 [b]	0	19	1
	Total		181	31	15	4	4	1	16	2	216	38
Salford City (loan)	2019–20 [52]	League Two	11	5	—		—		—		11	5
Salford City	2020–21 [53]	League Two	41	7	2	0	2	0	2 [b]	1	47	8
	2021–22 [54]	League Two	33	1	0	0	1	0	1 [b]	0	35	1
	Total		85	13	2	0	3	0	3	1	93	14
Morecambe	2022–23 [55]	League One	20	1	—		1	0	—		21	1
Milton Keynes Dons	2023–24 [56]	League Two	6	0	0	0	1	0	1 [b]	0	8	0
Career total			302	49	17	4	9	1	24	3	352	57

1. Two appearances in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup; one appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Derbyshire Senior Cup
2. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
3. Two appearances in Football League Trophy; two appearances in League One play-offs

Honours

Salford City

• EFL Trophy: 2019–20 ^[57]

References

1. "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 48. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
2. FA Cup Match of the Day, 6 January 2018
3. "Ashley Hunter - Forward - First Team - Fleetwood Town". Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
4. "2014/15". www.ilsonfootball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016.
5. "Ilsonfootball The Independent Ilkeston Football Website". www.ilsonfootball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
6. "Ashley Hunter: Fleetwood Town sign Ilkeston striker". BBC Sport. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
7. "Roberts denies Peterborough". Sky Sports . 7 February 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
8. "Ball brace lifts Fleetwood". Sky Sports . 6 April 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
9. "Fleetwood Town 2-1 Shrewsbury Town: Late Bobby Grant strike sinks Shrews". Sky Sports . 6 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
10. "Super-sub Ashley Hunter rescues point for Fleetwood". Eurosport . 26 December 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
11. "Fleetwood 2-2 Leeds (AET: 4-5 on pens) Garry Monk's side edge win". Sky Sports . 10 August 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
12. "Ashley Hunter: Fleetwood Town forward signs new three-year deal". BBC Sport . 18 August 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
13. "Fleetwood 2-0 Oxford: Hosts claim their first win of the season". Sky Sports . 17 August 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
14. "Southend United 0-2 Fleetwood Town: Fleetwood score in each half to register a comfortable win at Southend in League One". BBC . 27 August 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
15. "Fleetwood Town 4-1 Southport (aet): Fleetwood score three goals in eight extra-time minutes to claim victory over Southport and end the non-league side's FA run". BBC . 15 November 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
16. "Fleetwood Town 3-2 Shrewsbury Town: Fleetwood score twice in the last 13 minutes to beat Shrewsbury to book an FA Cup third-round tie at Bristol City". BBC . 13 December 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
17. "Fleetwood Town 2-2 Oldham Athletic: Ash Hunter scores a late equaliser from the penalty spot as Fleetwood deny Oldham Athletic victory at Highbury". BBC . 9 September 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
18. "Fleetwood 3-2 Bury: Jermaine Beckford's late penalty miss costly for Shakers". Sky Sports . 12 September 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
19. "Oldham Athletic 1-2 Fleetwood Town: Fleetwood secure their first win in nine League One matches with an unlikely 2-1 victory at Oldham". BBC . 26 December 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
20. "Bury 0-2 Fleetwood Town: Fleetwood ease to victory at lowly Bury to make it back-to-back away wins over the festive period". BBC . 30 December 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
21. Crowe, Matthew (25 February 2018). "Fleetwood head coach John Sheridan pleased with his first game". The 72. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
22. "Ashley Hunter: Fleetwood Town forward signs new three-year deal". BBC Sport . 16 March 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
23. "Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Fleetwood Town (3-4 pens): Fleetwood beat Crewe 4-3 on penalties in the Carabao Cup first round after a draw in normal time". BBC Sport . 14 August 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
24. "Fleetwood Town 2-1 Bradford City: Joey Barton wins his first home game as Fleetwood boss despite Wes Burns being sent off against Bradford City". BBC Sport . 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
25. "Joey Barton says no problem with discipline at Fleetwood Town as he calls for former footballers to review refereeing decisions". Blackpool Gazette . 27 September 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
26. "Fleetwood Town 2-0 Plymouth Argyle: Fleetwood keep their faint hopes of a late League One play-off charge alive with a 2-0 win over Plymouth". BBC Sport . 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
27. "Hunter salvages late point for Barton's Fleetwood against Peterborough". FourFourTwo . 19 April 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
28. Ray, James (2 January 2020). "Fleetwood Town boss confirms Ashley Hunter's loan to Salford City". The 72. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
29. "Ashley Hunter: Salford City agree loan deal for Fleetwood Town forward". BBC Sport. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
30. "Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Salford City: Ammies prevail with nine men". Salford City News. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
31. "Cambridge 0-4 Salford: United thumped as dismal form continues". Sky Sports. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
32. "Salford 2-0 Bradford: Ashley Hunter double seals home win". Sky Sports . 7 March 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
33. "Ash Hunter: Fleetwood Town winger rejoins Salford City for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
34. "Salford City 2-2 Exeter City". BBC. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
35. "Salford 2-1 Morecambe: Ash Hunter double seals win". Sky Sports. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
36. "Barrow 0-1 Salford: Ash Hunter strike enough to spoil fans' Holker Street return". Sky Sports. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
37. "Player news". Salford City FC. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
38. "Hunter becomes Shrimps' seventh summer signing". www.morecambefc.com. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
39. "Ashley Hunter: MK Dons sign former Morecambe forward ahead of new season". BBC. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
40. "Wrexham 3-5 Milton Keynes Dons: Dragons' EFL return spoiled by Dons". BBC. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
41. "Ashley Hunter has left MK Dons by mutual consent". www.mkdons.com. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
42. "Hunter Joins The Coasters". www.afcfylde.co.uk. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
43. "2024/2025 Retained List". www.afcfylde.co.uk. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
44. "SIGNING: Ash's a Red". Accrington Stanley FC. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
45. "The Evo-Stik Statistics". Ilkeston FC Official Matchday Magazine. vs Skelmersdale United: 22–23. 15 August 2015.
46. "Ilkeston Town FC on Twitter (Derbyshire Senior Cup line-up)". Twitter. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
47. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
48. "Player Profile: 22 Ashley Hunter". Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
49. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
50. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
51. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
52. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
53. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
54. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
55. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
56. "Games played by Ashley Hunter in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
57. Williams, Adam (13 March 2021). "Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2021.

External links

• Ashley Hunter at Soccerbase
• Ashley Hunter at Soccerway