A phoenix that rises from the ashes: Aberystwyth’s Ffion Ashman
Ffion Ashman is the custodian of the goal for Aberystwyth Town Ladies in the Welsh Women Premier League
Her role is one whose love of football now sees her as an inspiration for the youngsters she oversees in her educator’s role at Pembroke Dock Community School.
“It’s my old stomping ground, before I went to Pembroke Comprehensive School” she chortled, returning to her roots once her A-Level studies were completed, but in footballing terms, she has plied her trade anywhere but close to home.
Ashman has been with the Black and Greens since 2018, after a break from football when she ‘fell out of love with the game’.
“I was with Swansea City, joining after spending a year at Bristol as a 16-year-old. We won the Welsh Cup, but I’d travelled across the Country and Europe, enjoying international appearances up to Under-19 and I was burnt out.”
Ashman is an inspiration, both in her local community, where the school is at its heart and with the Seasiders of whom she moved to as she reignited her career, thanks to the encouragement of her close friends Caroline Cooper, Karen Thomas and Katie Wylde.
She struts her fingers on the tabletop, to a tune by Rag and Bone Man, those lyrics painting a picture that goes beyond the song. “I’m only human, I make mistakes: I’m only human, that’s all it takes; To put the blame on me, don’t put the blame on me.
“I’m no prophet or Messiah, should go looking somewhere higher. I’m only human after all” she recites, and as a goalkeeper it’s the motivation she needs on and off the pitch.
“Nerves are something that I thrive on, needing the first touch of the ball to settle me” she outlines between the rhythmic beat of her fingers.
They are words which allow her, metaphorically described by Rag and Bone Man, to be the giant from which her team can build.
It was that collective team spirit which saw saw Aberystwyth return to the top echelon of the game in 2018 as champions of South Wales.
“We didn’t lose a game the season before but lost out to Briton Ferry by a point, but we got it right the following year.
It was a tough return last season for the team who had competed in the inaugural Women’s Premier League in 2009, the aim this season is to win and be more competitive after they didn’t notch a victory in 2019.
Ashman has been followed throughout her footballing career by her family, which started at Manorbier under Gerry Rigby and Carrie Slack. Elder brothers Scott and Craig, mum Julie and dad Mark have been there throughout, her dad a regaled goalkeeper himself with Pembroke Boro during the times in the top flight of Welsh League football, for the Pembrokeshire side.
“Dad instilled confidence in me; I thrive on the compliments I receive from teammates and coaches, but know when I need to step upto the plate, accepting that boot up the bum” she says with a smile that is anything but complacent.
Ashman is a renowned shot stopper, including penalties, a giant arriving from the back of the net, arms flailing providing an imposing presence. Striving for success on the pitch is her mantra, followed head-on with her young charges, on and off the sports field. “School; that’s my happy place and I want to be a junior club coach, although that’s not for many years yet” she exclaimed hurriedly.
“I travel two hours each way for training, twice a week and then again on a match day and every time I lace up my boots, I look to take myself beyond my comfort zone.”
The Covid regulations have an underlying impact, although she has the support of her headteacher Michelle Thomas to continue competing at the top end of the game, safe in the knowledge of just what is on offer. Those words are epitomised with pride emanating as she speaks of recently signed North Carolina and Wales International midfielder, Angharad James, a former team mate, where it all started at Manorbier.
Women’s football in Wales is undoubtably on the rise. “There are some great players, Swansea having Stacey John-Davies and Katie Hosford, with Cardiff Met boasting Shannon Evans and Chloe O’Connor in their ranks. I’m excited by the younger talent, Nieve Jenkins at Swansea and her younger sister Flavia, plying her trade with ourselves, alongside our striker Emily Thomas.
“Season on season the standard is rising on and off the pitch. I’d love us to be able to play our fixtures after the men’s side play in their Premier League. Aberystwyth is one club, with two teams.
“It would benefit football in Wales if men and women’s football was played concurrently.”
No-one who knows Ffion Ashman will be surprised that the Phoenix has risen, and the women’s game in her home county of Pembrokeshire will rekindle again from the ashes, where the clubs have dwindled in recent years.
Ashman has winning embedded firmly within but not at all costs. The youngsters in Pembroke Dock could sing the school moto “striving for success, for all” she ended, with a glint in her eye.
