Ashley Westwood

Crewe Alexandra

Born in Bridgnorth, Westwood started his career as a trainee at Manchester United and was part of the FA Youth Cup winning side of 1995. He never made a first-team appearance for the Red Devils, but Dario Gradi spotted the youngster's potential and secured Westwood's services for Crewe Alexandra for a £40,000 fee. Westwood slotted in well to the Second Division side. He played fifty games in the 1996–97 season, including the 1–0 win play-off final over Brentford that took the Railwaymen into the First Division. However, he was to only play 22 games in the 1997–98 season. His swansong for the Cheshire club came on 13 April 1998, when he scored the opener of a 2–0 win over near rivals Stoke City at Gresty Road.

Bradford City

In summer 1998, he signed with Bradford City, a tribunal later awarded Crewe a £150,000 payment from Bradford. His first season with the club saw the Bantams promoted to the Premier League as First Division runners-up. Westwood played only 19 games in their league campaign, though. His last game of the season was eventful, as he was sent off in stoppage time after scoring on 62 minutes at Loftus Road against Queens Park Rangers. He played just five Premier League games in 1999–2000, though Bradford picked up 13 out of 15 points in those games, a sizeable chunk of their final tally of 36 points. The final of these games was a 3–0 win over Wimbledon at Valley Parade on 30 April 2000. This was a vital result because had the…

Assistant managerial roles

On 7 November 2012, Westwood followed manager Michael Appleton to Championship side Blackpool to work as first-team coach. On 11 January 2013, Westwood followed Appleton to become a coach at fellow Championship club Blackburn Rovers. He was sacked on 19 March 2013, at the end of Appleton's 67-day reign.

Bengaluru FC

On 2 July 2013, it was announced that Westwood had signed on as the very first head coach of the newly founded team Bengaluru FC in the Indian I-League. He made his debut as head coach on 25 August in a pre-season friendly 1–1 draw with the India national football team. Westwood then made his competitive coaching debut with Bengaluru on 22 September in his side's opening league game against Mohun Bagan A.C. at the Bangalore Football Stadium. His side drew the match 1–1, with Sean Rooney scoring the first-ever official goal in Westwood's reign. Westwood then coached Bengaluru to their first ever victory in their next match against Rangdajied United at the Bangalore Football Stadium in which goals from Sean Rooney, John Johnson, and Sunil Chhetri saw Bengaluru won the match 3–0. On 21 April 2014, Westwood led Bengaluru FC to the 2013–14 I-League title in their very first season by beating Dempo 4–2 at the Fatorda Stadium. In doing so Westwood became the youngest coach to win the I-League. However, on 24 April 2014, it was announced that Westwood would be suspended for four games after his unsporting behaviour during the…

Playing statistics

Westwood is a father of five, by three different women. His second wife was Huma Westwood, a former probation officer. His current partner is the Australian television sports journalist Mel McLaughlin. On 25 April 2010, Westwood ran a red light and was stopped by a police officer in Northampton. He elbowed the officer in the face. He was prosecuted for refusing a breath test, assaulting a police officer, and the driving offence of running a red light. He was found guilty in October 2010. He was given 80 hours of unpaid work, banned from driving for one year, had three points put on his driving licence, and was ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £700.