Ian Ashbee Bio Send To Friend  

Hull City captain Ashbee is a complete cult hero at Hull City, having made his debut for the club in 2002 and led them through the divisions to the Premier League. He is one of an elite band of players to have played for one club from League Two to Premier League.

A combative midfielder with a good range of passion and complete commitment, Ashbee is the kind of player all fans adore.

He began his career with Derby County but he was released after just one appearance to join Cambridge United on a free transfer in December 1996. He had a spell on loan in Iceland with IR Knattspyrnudeild earlier that year.

The player soon cemented a place in the Us side, spending five-and-a-half years at the club. He played 236 games, scoring 11 goals. 'Ash' was a mainstay of the time which was promoted to League One in 1998/99.

He left Cambridge at the end of the 2001/02 season when they had finished rock bottom of League One to sign for Hull City, who themselves had been placed 11th in League Two that term. Six years later he would take the club into the Premier League.

Ashbee made his Tigers bow in a 2-2 draw at home to Southend United - but it was one to forget as he was sent off five minutes from full time.

The skipper fittingly scored the goal which ensured Hull's promotion in 2003/04 against Yeovil Town and he was just as important in the 2004/05 League One promotion season. Only in 2005/06 were his appearances limited, and that was due to a fractured knee.

The former England youth international confounded his critics as Hull moved up the divisions. He was written off time and time again to win his place in the starting line-up, none more so than in the 2006/07 Championship season.

Ashbee is easily City's longest-serving player, making his 200th appearance towards the end of the 2007/08 promotion season.