Ashley Grimes

Ashley James Grimes (born 9 December 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Born in Swinton, Greater Manchester, he began his career as a youth player with Manchester United.

After a spell with Bolton Wanderers, he joined Manchester City in 2003.

He turned professional in 2006 but struggled to break into the first team and went on loan to Swindon Town in 2007 then moved to Millwall a year later.

Grimes was released by Bolton at the age of 16 and went on trial at Manchester City, resulting in him signing his first full-time contract as a trainee with the club in 2006, though he made no appearances for Manchester City.

He joined Swindon Town on a one-month loan on 23 March 2007.

Grimes made his debut for the club, coming on as a late substitute, in a 3–2 win against Lincoln City on 25 March 2007.

He went on to make four substitute appearances for Swindon Town.

In May 2007, following his loan spell at the club ended, Grimes signed a professional contract with Manchester City.

At the end of the 2007–08 season, he was released by the club.

It announced on 22 May 2008 that Grimes joined Millwall on a free transfer and was linked with up his former manager, Kenny Jackett.

He made his debut for the club, starting a match and played 45 minutes before being substituted at half time, in a 1–0 loss against Colchester United in the Football League Trophy, resulting in Millwall's elimination from the tournament.

Throughout the 2008–09 season, Grimes' playing at Millwall mostly came from the substitute bench.

He scored his first senior goal in the 3–0 win at Chester City in the first round of the FA Cup on 9 November 2008.

Three weeks later on 29 November 2008, Grimes scored his second goal for the club, in a 3–0 win against Aldershot Town in the second round of the FA Cup.

At the end of the 2008–09 season, he went on to make twenty–one appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

The 2009–10 season saw Grimes first team opportunities limited, due to competitions and his own injury concerns.

His potential move to Crawley Town was blocked by Manager Kenny Jackett, citing injury situation at the club.

Despite this, he played a role of assisting two goals in two matches between 9 December 2009 and 12 December 2009, coming against Walsall and Staines Town.

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Grimes went on to make eight appearances in all competitions.

He spent the 2010–11 season on loan with Lincoln City before a permanent transfer to Rochdale at the end of the season.

At the end of the 2010–2011 season Grimes was released after his contract expired with the club.

Having made no appearances for Millwall since the 2010–11 season, Grimes joined Lincoln City on loan for a month.

He made his debut for the club on 30 October 2010, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–2 draw away at Wycombe Wanderers.

Two weeks later on 13 November 2010, Grimes scored his first goal for Lincoln City, in a 2–1 win against Morecambe.

Two weeks later on 27 November 2010, he scored his second goal for the club, in a 2–2 draw against Hereford United.

By late-November, Grimes' loan spell with the club was extended until January, before it was extended until the end of the season.

His impressive display at Millwall earned a new contract with the club, which keep him until 2011.

He scored his first league goal in a 3–1 victory away at Cheltenham Town, after the team had gone 1–0 down due to an own goal.

This was followed up by scoring in a next match against Oldham Athletic, losing 3–2.

Grimes had been the fan favourite when the supporters chant "I say, I say, I say, I say – Ashley, Ashley!", which is reference of former Coronation Street butcher Fred Elliott.

He scored his third goal for Lincoln City, in a 2–1 win against Bradford City on 1 January 2011.

Grimes later scored five more goals later in January, including a hat-trick against Stockport County in a 4–3 away win.

His goal scoring form continued throughout February, as he scored four times, including a brace against Morecambe on 12 February 2011.

Grimes, once again, added four more goals throughout March, including another brace against Southend United on 12 March 2011.

However, he was unable to help the club avoid relegation following a 3–0 loss against Aldershot Town in the last game of the season.

For his performance, Grimes was awarded Lincoln City's Player of the Season.

After two seasons with Rochdale, he moved to Bury in 2013 and then Walsall a year later.

In July 2015 he signed for Barrow.

Born in Swinton, Greater Manchester, Grimes began his footballing career with Barr Hill Lads' Club in Salford before signing for Manchester United where he spent two years in the academy before signing for Bolton Wanderers.