That man could mix it with the best and control a game. I remember the crack he got against Wigan, think it was breaney who shouldn't have been selected because of a ban. Chisnell at st Helen's who couldn't get out of the way quick enough when bill pulled his arm back ready to let go. Featherstone Boxing Day I think. He became a very good mate of Nigel bell. Think bill found religion and does not drink. We might of not seen the best of him but I can't think of another anything like him.
He was class and could mix it with the best. I remember a game during a scrum when suddenly the oppositions second row flew backwards out of the pack, the cause of which was a punch of the highest quality from one Bill Ashurst. It was a shame that his knee injury put the end to one of the greatest and creative players of his era. I believe we paid £16,000 to sign him from Wigan.
It will be a must read for me. During that era you needed a hard up front no nonsense pack man, bill also had skill. I honestly can not think of any other player you could say he was like.
If Bill Ashurst was playing you always knew you were going to see something special. I think he was the best second rower I have ever seen in over 50 years, he had everything. I'm not criticising the modern game now, because todays game and when Bill played are completely different but I haven't seen a second row forward fit to lace his boots since...well since Bill!
