Captain Ash
Tuesday, 7th Aug 2018“I always give 100 per cent and if I can help other boys along the way as I get older and more experienced then that is what I will do
Lee Ashcroft said that he had been really chuffed for himself and his family when Allan Johnston made him captain of Dunfermline Athletic for the 2018-2019 season.
“As soon as the gaffer told me a couple of weeks ago to let me know that I was going to be his captain this season I was absolutely delighted. This is my third year here now and to be honest I have loved every minute of it.
“The fans have been great with me, the players, the staff and everybody at the club. It has been great so far. I will do the best I can on and off the pitch. I always give 100 per cent and if I can help other boys along the way as I get older and more experienced then that is what I will do.
“The boys have been great with me as well so far. Hopefully we can have a good season and push for promotion.”
Lee’s father Ian played junior with Irvine Meadow and was semi-pro at Annan for a while. He was a centre-half as well so always kept him on the right track. This all contributed to Gary Locke making Lee Kilmarnock captain at the age of 21. He had captained their Under-19s and Under-20s, but admitted that it felt a lot different being captain of the first team.
His appointment came in the absence of suspended Manuel Pascali for the home game against Motherwell in April 2015 but the 2-1 defeat prevented the day being perfect. Lee reflected this week:-
“At the time we had quite a few injuries in the squad. I had been playing regularly, I was young but I didn’t feel any different. I went out and gave 100 per cent and try and help boys as much as I could as well.
“So it is nice to have that wee bit experience of having done it before. We played some big games against some good teams.”
Lee will lead Dunfermline out for the Betfred Cup Second Round match on Saturday 18th August. Although seeded the draw could have been kinder if the Fifers had avoided Premier League opposition. It will however be a tie that everyone can look forward to as Craig Levein’s Jam Tarts come to East End Park.
“Edinburgh is not far and Hearts can be expected to bring a big crowd. With the experience of having played them last year and getting a good result, we can look forward with confidence.
“They are obviously a higher division team but we will go out and give it our best shot. It will be good to see a big crowd at East End.”
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