Jamie Ashdown Bio Send To Friend  

Reading-born keeper Ashdown rose through the ranks at his hometown club to establish himself as a member of the first team, after impressing with a series of solid and dependable performances in the reserves.

Good on crosses and a commanding presence, he was highly rated by the Royals' management team and was certain to continue his challenge for a first team spot.

After making his debut as a sub in a 5-0 hammering of Oldham Athletic in September 2000, he was loaned out to non-league Gravesend and Northfleet to get first team action in March 2001.

Further loan stints with AFC Bournemouth and Rushden & Diamonds followed in August 2002 and November 2003 respectively.

After returning from a good spell at Nene Park with Rushden he enjoyed a run in Reading's team towards the end of 2003/04, keeping Marcus Hahnemann out of the side.

But Ashdown chose not to accept a new contract offer in the summer of 2004, and Premiership club Portsmouth moved in to sign him as back-up to Shaka Hislop. Pompey were forced to pay compensation as Ashdown was only 23 at the time of the move.

He played 16 games for Reading.

Ashdown made his debut for Pompey in a 1-0 League Cup victory at Tranmere Rovers and his appearances were limited to that competition until an injury to Hislop thrust him into the first team against Manchester City in November.

He kept his place until mid-January when, after manager Harry Redknapp had left, a replacement was signed in Konstantinos Chalkias.

Chalkias proved himself to be one of the worst goalkeepers to ever 'grace' the top flight and Ashdown was restored to the team in March.

Although a dependable stopper, Ashdown perhaps that little bit extra to be a first choice Premiership goalkeeper.

Pompey moved to sign another replacement in the summer of 2005, namely Sander Westerveld, but he too proved to be a liability and by mid-September Ashdown was back in the side.

He kept his place until January when, following the return of Redknapp, David James was signed from Manchester City making him firmly second choice.

Ashdown's only football in 2006/07 was on loan at Norwich City, who he joined in October, but it was an aborted spell after he was sent off in only his second match.

Now firmly establish as stand-in stopper for Pompey - he made just three league appearances in the 2007/08 season - he must decided whether to remain an understudy at a Premier League club or seek a move in the Championship where he might get regular first team football.