Ian Ashbee is an English football midfielder born on September 6, 1976 in Birmingham.
Ian Ashbee kicked off his football career by joining Derby County in 1994. After two seasons with the club, he went on loan to the Icelandic club IR Knattspyrnudeild in the summer of 1996, and he contributed three goals from eight appearances. Ian Ashbee switched to Cambridge United the same year and was a part of the team that clinched the 2002 Football League Trophy runner-up title. He represented Cambridge in 193 matches and scored eleven goals during his six-year association with it.
Ian Ashbee signed for Hull City in June 2002, and quickly became a favorite among fans. He was made captain of the club, and his stupendous goal against Yeovil Town was instrumental in the club’s promotion to the League One. Ian Ashbee secured the Goal of the 2002-03 Season award for his spectacular strike in the club’s win over Torquay United. He played a crucial role for the Tigers and helped them qualify to the Football League Championship the following season. He missed the majority of the 2005-06 season due to an injury and was warmly welcomed by the fans as he returned for the last match of the season against Watford. Ian Ashbee was a member of the team that won the runner-up title in the Football League One tournament. He had the confidence of all the four managers he had played under in Hull City who chose him as the captain. In August 2006, Ian Ashbee also became Hull City’s longest-serving player.
The 2007-08 season turned out to be a great one for Hull City as it made it to the Wembley final for the first time. It met Bristol City in the finals and emerged victorious to qualify to the Premier League. Ian Ashbee captained the club to victory in the first ever top-flight game versus Fulham and created history in English football by becoming the only captain to lead the same team in all four divisions of the Football League. He took the club to great heights during his captaincy, and has made 194 appearances for Hull City scoring eight goals as of August 2008.
Ian Ashbee was voted third in the Tigers' Player of the Year awards, and his brilliant performances for the club earned him the inaugural Chairman's award for outstanding contribution.
