Ian Ashbee has woven himself into the fabric of Hull City during his 8 and half years as a Tiger, a period that has seen a ground move, six managerial changes, three promotions and one relegation. Setting aside the manner of his departure for a moment, let’s take a look back at the man’s time at the club and salute one of the most influential figures in Hull City history.

Signed by Jan Molby from Cambridge in the summer of 2002, Ashbee got off on the wrong foot by being sent off on his debut, a 2-2 draw with Southend at Boothferry Park. He would however go on to establish himself as a high-octane, combative presence in midfield and though he missed the seasons end through injury, ‘Ash’ had established himself as new boss Peter Taylor’s skipper. 

City’s first full season at the KC Stadium would end with the Tigers escaping the basement division at the eighth time of asking. It was Ashbee who sealed promotion at Yeovil with a spectacular 25 yard strike in May 2005. No City fan present at Huish Park minded being repeatedly told to ‘Fuck off!’ by Ashbee, who appeared in the grip of a delight induced Tourette’s seizure.

A week later, skipper Ashbee led the celebrations at the KC Stadium, accepting a silver salver to mark promotion as Division Three runners up. 

City’s good form showed no sign of abating, making good on Peter Taylor’s promotion parade promise to attack the newly renamed League One. Ashbee was at the heart of things as the Tiger’s again contended for division elevation. He scored just once in 2004-05 campaign, netting the first in a 6-1 rout of Tranmere at home.   

City celebrated their centenary year in style with another 2nd place finish, making it back to back promotions for the Ashbee led Tigers, who returned to the second tier after a fifteen year absence. 2005/06 would prove a painful year for Ashbee, a knee fracture was discovered six games in, and exploratory surgery revealed a career threatening degenerative knee condition. The captain would play no further part in our inaugural Championship campaign.

Ashbee returned in 2006/07, a season in which City narrowly clung on to their Championship status. 2007/08 was a much happier time, it culminated in a play off place and a trip to Wembley. Ash was an influential presence in midfield and notched three goals, including one at Barnsley in a 3-1 win at Oakwell. 

The Tigers had never played at Wembley, nor featured in the top flight in their largely futile 103 years to date. That all changed on May 24th 2008 when Ashbee skippered City to a 1-0 play off final victory over Bristol City under the giant arch of new Wembley, elevating us to the Premier League.

Dean Windass’ volleyed goal was enough to secure promotion to the top flight for City, and Ashbee led the celebrations, taking custody of the Championship play off trophy before a Wembley lap of honour in front of 40,000 Tiger Nationals. 

Leading the team out for their first Premier League game, v. Fulham at the KC Stadium in August 2008, Ashbee achieved the unique distinction of having captained a side in all four professional divisions in England. The Tigers won 2-1 and made a blistering start to life in the top flight.

Relishing his ‘hard man’ reputation, Ashbee made himself known to Premier League officials, ‘earning’ 10 yellow cards over the course of the season. He was never dismissed in 2008/2009 though.

A 50-50 challenge at Aston Villa resulted in a ruptured posterior ligament,  thus ending his contribution to our inaugural Premier League campaign. It got worse for Ash, as the degenerative bone condition hampered his rehabilitation, causing him to miss the entire 2009-2010 season as well.

Many speculated he would never return from injury, but a determined Ashbee battled his way back. He wasn’t able to figure in the unsuccessful fight against relegation from the Premier League, but he scored the first goal of the season as City started life back in the Football League with a 2-0 win over Swansea on opening day.