The Portsmouth boy, KSI and England striker: Buckland ‘mush’ makes move to high-profile outfit
He suffered recently Wembley play-off pain with Boreham Wood, but the former St Edmund’s Catholic School pupil has now made a move to the outfit attracting headlines.
He’s already sacked a former Pompey favourite.
But now super influencer KSI has turned to another Blues ‘mush’, as the new Dagenham & Redbridge owner brought in Buckland boy Nathan Ashmore last week.
Ashmore links up with KSI at Dagenham & Redbridge
Ashmore has joined the ambitious National League South side on a two-year deal, quickly finding a new home after leaving fifth-tier outfit Boreham Wood following their play-off final defeat against Rochdale.
The former Pompey academy talent has enjoyed a successful career on the non-league circuit with the likes of Gosport, Hawks and Ebbsfleet before joining his most recent employers in 2019.
National League team of the season recognition has followed, as the former St Edmund’s Catholic School pupil carved out a reputation as one of the best non-league keepers around.
Now the 36-year-old has been handed a two-year deal with Dagenham, who’ve seen their profile soar after KSI bought a 20 per cent stake in the club in March.
Former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is also part of the setup at Victoria Road, briefly replacing former Pompey striker Lee Bradbury as caretaker boss when he was sacked after KSI’s arrival.
Carroll was placed in interim charge of the club before they appointed Lee Allinson earlier this month, with the former Hemel Hempstead boss quickly moving to bring in Ashmore.
Speaking of his capture, Allinson told the club’s official website: ‘When Nathan became available, it was a no-brainer for me.
‘In my opinion, he’s the best goalkeeper in the league; he’s commanding, experienced, and someone who ticks every box. Speaking to him about the plans for the football club and seeing his excitement to be here shows exactly where this club is heading.
KSI’s involvement with Dagenham has seen the club’s profile soar, but Ashmore remains as grounded as ever with the man who once worked at Nandos in Gunwharf Quays firmly seeing himself as Pompey ‘mush’.
Ashmore knew tough times growing up, however, speaking to The News over battling racism in the city as a youngster
He told The News in 2020: ‘Growing up, I was the only black kid in most football teams. Even at Pompey, I was the sole black kid in my year group,’ he added.
‘It didn’t affect me, I was young and probably a little naive, but obviously my mum noticed. I have since learnt of the talk and abuse she took simply because I was the only one.
‘I’d get bullied all the time at school for that very reason. There were two black pupils at primary school, we stood out, and the words became normal for me. I was used to getting chased home from school.
‘Sometimes I tried to fight my way out, just getting people off my back and not trying to run away on every occasion.
‘As I got older. I kind of thought “I know I’m different”, but accepted it, it was not something to be afraid of. Those experiences can only make you stronger.
‘When we lived in a maisonette in Buckland, there was an instance when I returned to my bedroom after having a bath and discovered a sign left on my window.
‘It was racist and unpleasant. There was scaffolding outside as work was being done on the house, so somebody had climbed it, looked into my bedroom window and put the sign up.
‘I have been chased with a scaffolding pole before, been jumped by three or four people. A lot of people won’t have this happen to them – and they won’t have a clue how it feels.’