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Ashley Fletcher
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Ashley Michael Fletcher (born 2 October 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Blackpool.
Key Information
Fletcher began his professional career at Manchester United, having previously played at Bolton Wanderers during his youth. He then went on to join Barnsley on loan in 2016, where he achieved promotion and silverware, before signing for West Ham United on a free transfer. After just one season at the London Stadium, Fletcher relocated to Middlesbrough, where he broke into the first team. He has also briefly played for Sunderland on loan from Middlesbrough, as well as at international level for the England under-20 team.
Early life
[edit]Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire,[3] Fletcher attended Canon Slade School in Bolton, where he obtained 12 GCSEs all with grades of either A or B.[4] He played football, cricket, basketball, and athletics for the school.[4]
Club career
[edit]Manchester United
[edit]Fletcher joined Bolton Wanderers at the age of nine, before moving to Manchester United at the age of 13.[4] He signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in May 2014.[4]
Fletcher signed for Barnsley on loan in January 2016.[5] He scored on his professional debut on 9 January 2016, in a 1–1 draw with Fleetwood Town in the Football League Trophy Northern Area Final first leg,[6] and scored his first league goal on 20 February 2016.[7]
On 3 April 2016 he scored a goal in the 2016 Football League Trophy Final as Barnsley won the competition.[8] On 29 May 2016, he scored the opening goal in Barnsley's 3–1 victory in the 2016 Football League One play-off final against Millwall, helping Barnsley return to the Championship.[9] In total Fletcher scored nine goals in 27 games for Barnsley during his spell at the club.[6]
After impressing while on loan at Barnsley, Fletcher was offered a new contract at Manchester United amid interest from Championship side Leeds United.[10] On 23 June 2016, it was reported that he had turned down the contract offer to stay at Manchester United but would continue to train at the club.[11]
West Ham United
[edit]In July 2016, Fletcher signed a four-year deal with West Ham United.[12]
He made his unofficial debut for West Ham United's development squad on 15 July 2016 in a 2–0 pre-season friendly defeat away to Chelmsford City.[13]
His West Ham debut came on 18 August in the UEFA Europa League when he was introduced as a last minute substitute for Andy Carroll in a 3–0 win over NK Domžale.[14] His Premier League debut came again from the substitutes bench on 21 August when he replaced Håvard Nordtveit after 80 minutes, in a 1–0 win over Bournemouth.[14]
On 30 November 2016, Fletcher scored his first goal for West Ham, in a 4–1 defeat to Manchester United, in the EFL Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford.[14][15]
Middlesbrough
[edit]On 28 July 2017, Fletcher signed for Middlesbrough for a fee of £6.5 million, signing a four-year contract.[16][17] He made his debut on 5 August 2017 against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 1–0 defeat.[18] His first goal for the club came as the last of three in a 3–0 win against Scunthorpe United on 22 August 2017 in the EFL Cup,[19] his first in the league came in a 3–2 win over Queens Park Rangers on 16 September.[20]
On 31 January 2018, Fletcher made a deadline day switch to Sunderland, signing on loan for the remainder of the season.[21] He scored his first goal for Sunderland in a 4–1 win at Derby County on 30 March 2018.[22] Fletcher was a member of the Sunderland team that suffered relegation to League One at the end of the season, meaning that the club had suffered two consecutive relegations.[23] Furthermore, his tenure at the club resulted in him appearing in the Netflix documentary series Sunderland 'Til I Die, released on 14 December 2018.[24]
During the off-season, Fletcher returned to Middlesbrough, with fellow Championship club Hull City expressing their interest in signing the striker.[25] However, no move materialised, though their manager Nigel Adkins later attempted to sign him again in the winter transfer window.[26] During his second season with Middlesbrough, Fletcher broke into Tony Pulis' team.[27] He went on to score 5 goals in 21 league appearances, in a season where Middlesbrough narrowly failed to gain play-off qualification.[28][29][30]
Fletcher claimed the number 11 shirt ahead of the 2019–20 season, the first season under new manager Jonathan Woodgate.[31] He scored on the first day of the new season: a 3–3 draw at Luton Town on 2 August.[32] Fletcher managed to push Britt Assombalonga out of the first-team.[33] In January 2020, Fletcher won the Championship Goal of the Month award for December in recognition for his 30-yard volley against West Bromwich Albion, which ended in a 2–0 victory in Middlesbrough's favour.[34] In April 2021, with his contract due to end in June, Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock confirmed that Fletcher had turned down a new contract on reduced terms and had left the club with immediate effect.[35]
Watford
[edit]On 20 May 2021, it was reported Watford had agreed to sign Fletcher on a free transfer.[36] On 11 June 2021, Fletcher's transfer to Watford was announced, effective from 1 July.[37][38] He scored his first goal for the club on his debut in an EFL Cup tie against Crystal Palace on 24 August 2021.[39]
On 28 February 2022 he moved to MLS side New York Red Bulls on a six-month loan deal, with an option to purchase.[40][41] His loan officially ended with New York on 11 July 2022, with Fletcher having made seven appearances for the Red Bulls, scoring no goals.[42]
On 12 August 2022, he joined Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan.[43][44]
On 25 July 2023, he joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan.[45][46] He made his debut against Southampton on 4 August 2023.[47]
He was released by Watford at the end of the 2023–24 season.[48]
Blackpool
[edit]Following his release from Watford, in June 2024 it was announced that he would join Blackpool on 1 July 2024.[49][50] He made his debut against Crawley Town on 10 August 2024, scoring his side's only goal in a 2–1 defeat.[51]
He was named Blackpool supporters' Player of the Season in 2025.[52]
International career
[edit]Born in England, Fletcher is of Jamaican descent.[53] In November 2015, Fletcher made his debut for the England under-20 side, scoring ten minutes after coming on as a substitute. In March 2016, he was called up to face the Canada under-20s, playing up front with his then Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford, and scored in a 4–1 win.[54]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 17 February 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United | 2015–16[6] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Barnsley (loan) | 2015–16[6] | League One | 20 | 4 | — | — | 7[c] | 4 | 27 | 8 | ||
| West Ham United | 2016–17[14] | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2[d] | 0 | 20 | 1 |
| Middlesbrough | 2017–18[22] | Championship | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 19 | 2 | |
| 2018–19[28] | Championship | 21 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 9 | |
| 2019–20[55] | Championship | 43 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 13 | |
| 2020–21[56] | Championship | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | |
| Total | 91 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 107 | 27 | ||
| Sunderland (loan) | 2017–18[22] | Championship | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 | 2 | |
| Watford | 2021–22[57] | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| 2022–23[58] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[59] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||
| New York Red Bulls (loan) | 2022[60] | Major League Soccer | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Wigan Athletic (loan) | 2022–23[58] | Championship | 26 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 | 2 | |
| Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 2023–24[59] | Championship | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 28 | 0 | |
| Blackpool | 2024–25[61] | League One | 41 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4[e] | 0 | 48 | 11 |
| 2025–26[62] | League One | 30 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3[e] | 2 | 37 | 19 | |
| Total | 71 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 85 | 30 | ||
| Career total | 273 | 50 | 16 | 6 | 19 | 10 | 16 | 6 | 324 | 72 | ||
- ^ Includes FA Cup
- ^ Includes EFL Cup
- ^ Three appearances and two goals in Football League Trophy, three appearances and two goals in League One play-offs
- ^ Appearances in Europa League
- ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Squads for 2016/17 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Ashley Fletcher". 11v11. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ "Profile". Manchester United. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d Nelson, Craig (24 May 2014). "Former Canon Slade pupil Ashley Fletcher wins pro contract at Manchester United". Bolton News. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ^ "Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher joins Barnsley on loan". BBC Sport. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ Bajkowski, Simon (23 February 2016). "Manchester United youngster Ashley Fletcher delighted with first league goal". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- ^ Bajkowski, Simon (3 April 2016). "Manchester United's Ashley Fletcher scores in Wembley win". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
- ^ a b Stevens, Rob (29 May 2016). "Barnsley 3–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ Hay, Phil (6 June 2016). "Leeds United: Whites keen on Manchester United forward Ashley Fletcher". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ Hay, Phil (24 June 2016). "Leeds United's hopes of signing Fletcher rise as striker turns down Old Trafford deal". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- ^ Stevens, Rob (12 July 2016). "Ashley Fletcher: England Under-20 striker joins West Ham from Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
- ^ "FT- Chelmsford City 2–0 Dev Squad". whufc.com. West Ham United FC. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "Fletcher ready for more goals". West Ham United FC. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ "Ashley Fletcher Signs For Boro". mfc.co.uk. Middlesbrough FC. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ^ "Ashley Fletcher: Middlesbrough sign West Ham United striker for £6.5m". BBC Sport. 28 July 2017.
- ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–0 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- ^ "Middlesbrough 3–0 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- ^ "Middlesbrough 3–2 Queens Park Rangers". BBC Sport. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Ovie Ejaria, Ashley Fletcher and Lee Camp join Sunderland". BBC Sport. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ "Sunderland 1–2 Burton Albion". BBC Sport. 21 April 2018.
- ^ Johns, Craig (26 November 2018). "Sunderland AFC Netflix documentary gets a release date and a title too". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Middlesbrough man closing in on move to Championship side". Football League World. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Nigel Adkins wants Middlesbrough's Ashley Fletcher as Hull City target "two or three" news signings". Hull Live. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Middlesbrough: 'I don't want Ashley Fletcher to be as nice'". The Northern Echo. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Middlesbrough and Tony Pulis part ways after club fail to make play-offs". Yahoo Sports UK. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Middlesbrough will come back stronger after play-offs disappointment, assures John Obi Mikel". Goal.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Squad Numbers For 2019/20 Season". Middlesbrough FC. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Luton Town 3–3 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Leeds United handed boost in Britt Assombalonga chase?". Sports Mole. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Ashley Fletcher Clinches Sky Bet Championship Goal Of The Month". MFC.co.uk. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Neil Warnock confirms Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher have left Middlesbrough". The Northern Echo. 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Watford set to sign former Middlesbrough striker Ashley Fletcher". watfordobserver.co.uk. 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Official: Ashley Fletcher Signs". Watford FC. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ "Watford announce Fletcher signing". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Watford 1-0 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ "New York Red Bulls sign striker Ashley Fletcher on loan from Watford". MLSSoccer.com.
- ^ "Fletcher joins New York Red Bulls on loan". BBC Sport.
- ^ Bulls, New York Red. "Forward Ashley Fletcher Returns to Watford FC". New York Red Bulls.
- ^ "Latics Complete Season-Long Loan Signing Of Watford Striker Ashley Fletcher". Wigan Athletic FC. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Wigan sign Watford striker Fletcher on loan". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Ashley Fletcher joins Owls on loan". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Sheffield Wednesday sign Watford striker on loan". BBC. 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 1 Southampton 2 highlights as ex-Blades striker Che Adams bags later winner". Yorkshire Examiner. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Watford: Jeremy Ngakia signs new deal as Jake Livermore among trio released". BBC Sport. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ FC, Blackpool (20 June 2024). "Pool Bring In Ashley Fletcher". Blackpool FC.
- ^ "Ashley Fletcher: Blackpool sign forward on two-year deal following Watford release". BBC Sport. 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Crawley Town 2-1 Blackpool". BBC Sport.
- ^ FC, Blackpool. "Blackpool FC". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Nursey, James (11 April 2021). "Jamaica legend Fitzroy Simpson hopes Premier League aces play in World Cup bid". mirror.
- ^ Bajkowski, Simon (31 March 2016). "Manchester United starlet Ashley Fletcher out to join Marcus Rashford via Wembley spotlight". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
- ^ Ashley Fletcher at Soccerway. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Fletcher in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
- ^ Cartwright, Phil (3 April 2016). "Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
External links
[edit]- England profile at The FA
- Ashley Fletcher at Soccerbase
Ashley Fletcher
View on GrokipediaBackground
Early life
Ashley Fletcher was born on 2 October 1995 in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England. He was raised in the local area until the age of three, when his family relocated to Bolton in Greater Manchester, where he spent the majority of his childhood in a working-class community.[13][14] Fletcher's family, including his father Mike, emphasized the importance of education and personal grounding alongside his sporting interests. He attended Canon Slade School in Bolton, where he excelled academically, earning 12 GCSEs with grades of A or B. His father and school staff highlighted his dedication, noting that he balanced rigorous studies with active participation in extracurricular activities.[15][16] From a young age, Fletcher engaged in multiple sports, representing Canon Slade School in football, cricket, basketball, and athletics, where he stood out as a versatile and talented athlete. He began organized football at The Oaks Primary School and later played for junior side Eagley Rangers, showcasing his early potential in the sport while maintaining involvement in other disciplines. This broad sporting foundation helped shape his athletic development before transitioning to focused football training at the Manchester United academy at age 13.[15]Youth career
Fletcher joined the Bolton Wanderers academy at the age of nine in 2004, where he developed his skills over the next four years.[17] During this period, he impressed in youth matches, including scoring four goals in a single game against Manchester United's academy team at age 13. Scouted from Bolton, he transferred to Manchester United's academy in 2008 at age 13, beginning his progression through the youth ranks.[13] At Manchester United, Fletcher advanced through the age-group teams, featuring prominently for the U16s and U18s, where he scored regularly and formed a strong striking partnership with James Wilson.[17] He earned a two-year scholarship in 2011 while balancing youth training with academics, attaining 12 GCSEs alongside participation in cricket, athletics, and basketball.[17] As a top scorer at U18 level with 28 goals across all competitions in the 2013–14 season, he helped the team secure youth titles.[18] In July 2014, at age 18, Fletcher signed his first professional contract with the club on a two-year deal.[15]Club career
Manchester United
Fletcher, who had been a standout in Manchester United's youth setup and was even tipped by club coaches as more likely than Marcus Rashford to achieve a first-team breakthrough, ultimately failed to secure a senior debut during his time at the club. Despite earning opportunities under manager Louis van Gaal, including a brief involvement with the senior squad, he could not translate his youth promise into competitive appearances. Fletcher made no first-team outings for Manchester United across any competition, a stark contrast to the high expectations surrounding his potential as an England Under-20 international. His development was aided by a productive loan spell at Barnsley earlier in 2016, which served as a stepping stone but did not lead to a breakthrough at Old Trafford. In July 2016, following the expiration of his contract, Fletcher rejected a two-year extension offer from the club and departed as a free agent, marking the end of his association with United.[19][20][21][22]West Ham United
Fletcher signed for West Ham United from Manchester United on 12 July 2016, agreeing to a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee following the expiry of his youth deal at Old Trafford.[21][23] He made his professional debut for the club on 4 August 2016, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–0 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round victory over NK Domžale at the London Stadium.[24] His first Premier League appearance followed on 21 August, again as a substitute in a 1–0 win against AFC Bournemouth. Across the 2016–17 season, Fletcher accumulated 16 senior appearances in all competitions, including two in Europa League qualifiers, 13 in the Premier League, and one each in the EFL Cup and FA Cup.[25] He scored his sole goal for West Ham on 30 November 2016, netting in a 4–1 EFL Cup quarter-final loss to his former club Manchester United, marking his first start under manager Slaven Bilić.[26] Despite glimpses of potential from his prolific youth record at Manchester United—where he had netted over 20 goals across academy and loan spells—Fletcher faced challenges adapting to Premier League demands and securing consistent minutes, largely as a rotational option behind established strikers Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho.[27][28] Most of his outings were brief substitute roles, totaling just 642 minutes played, as he vied for opportunities in a competitive forward line amid West Ham's mid-table campaign.[25]Middlesbrough
Fletcher joined Middlesbrough on 28 July 2017, signing a four-year contract for a transfer fee of £6.5 million from West Ham United, where limited first-team opportunities had prompted the move.[29] He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in the EFL Cup second round against Scunthorpe United on 22 August 2017, contributing to a 3–0 victory with a right-footed goal in the 55th minute. In the Championship, Fletcher established himself as a regular starter during the 2017–18 season's promotion push, making 16 appearances and scoring once before his mid-season departure. Middlesbrough finished seventh, narrowly missing the play-offs. On 31 January 2018, Fletcher was loaned to Sunderland for the remainder of the 2017–18 Championship season, where he featured in 16 matches and netted two goals amid the club's relegation struggle.[30] Upon returning to Middlesbrough, he became a key forward in the following campaigns, peaking in the 2019–20 season with 11 Championship goals from 43 appearances, helping the team secure a mid-table position. Over his four years at Middlesbrough from 2017 to 2021, Fletcher made 92 Championship appearances and scored 19 goals, forming a productive spell that solidified his reputation as a reliable Championship striker.Watford
Fletcher joined Watford on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in July 2021, signing a three-year contract.[31] Following a productive spell at Middlesbrough where he had scored 28 goals in 108 appearances, his time at Watford marked a significant dip in form and involvement. During his three seasons with the club from 2021 to 2024, Fletcher made 5 appearances for the Watford first team (3 as a substitute in the Premier League and 2 in the EFL Cup), scoring 2 goals in the EFL Cup during the 2021–22 season.[32] To help regain match fitness and sharpness, Fletcher was sent on multiple loans. In February 2022, he joined Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls on a six-month loan, where he featured in seven matches, accumulating 250 minutes but failing to score or assist.[33] Later that summer, on 12 August 2022, he moved to Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan in the EFL Championship, making 26 league appearances and scoring two goals as the team struggled and ultimately suffered relegation. In July 2023, Fletcher was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday for the 2023–24 Championship campaign, where he appeared in 28 matches, scoring no goals and providing 1 assist, often coming off the bench in a side that narrowly avoided relegation via the play-offs.[34] Fletcher's contract with Watford expired on 30 June 2024, and he was released by the club without making a return to the first-team squad in his final season.[35]Blackpool
In June 2024, Fletcher signed a two-year contract with Blackpool as a free agent following the expiry of his Watford deal, officially joining the League One club on 1 July.[36][37] During the 2024–25 season, Fletcher adapted effectively to League One's demands, securing regular starting roles and contributing significantly to Blackpool's campaign with key goals and assists that bolstered the team's attacking output. His experience from prior loans facilitated a smooth integration into the squad, allowing him to form productive partnerships upfront. By the end of that season, he had established himself as a reliable forward in the lower tier.[38] As of 15 November 2025, Fletcher had made 56 appearances and scored 15 goals across all competitions for Blackpool. In the 2025–26 campaign, he has netted 4 goals in 13 matches while continuing to feature prominently as a starter, including a brace in a 3–1 victory over Cardiff City on 8 November 2025. These contributions underscored his resurgence at Bloomfield Road, where he has thrived compared to higher-division struggles.[39][40][1]International career
Youth international career
Fletcher received his first call-up to the England under-20 national team in November 2015 while on loan at Barnsley from Manchester United.[41] He made his debut as a substitute in a friendly against France on 11 November 2015, scoring England’s third goal in a 3–4 defeat at Stade Fred Aubert in Saint-Brieuc.[42] In March 2016, Fletcher was again selected for the under-20s, featuring as a late substitute in a 1–2 friendly loss to Canada at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster.[43] Overall, Fletcher earned two caps for England at under-20 level between 2015 and 2016, netting one goal in friendly matches.[44]Senior international career
Despite his promising youth international career with England, Ashley Fletcher has not received any call-ups to the senior national team as of November 2025.[38] This absence of senior representation stems primarily from inconsistent club form and a nomadic career path that has seen him play across multiple lower-tier leagues without establishing himself as a consistent performer at the Premier League or Championship level.[45] Fletcher's progression stalled after early loans from Manchester United, where he showed potential but struggled to secure regular starting positions at subsequent clubs like West Ham United and Middlesbrough.[46] Periods of limited playing time and goal droughts, such as scoring only once in 28 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday during the 2023-24 season, further diminished his visibility to England selectors.[45][47] Additionally, the intense competition for forward positions in the England senior squad—dominated by established stars like Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford—has made breakthroughs difficult for players operating outside the top flight.[48] By November 2025, Fletcher remains uncapped at the senior level and has not been linked to any other national teams, reflecting the challenges of transitioning from youth promise to international recognition in a highly competitive landscape.[38]Career summary
Career statistics
Fletcher's professional career has seen him accumulate 259 appearances and 43 goals in league competitions as of 17 November 2025.[32] Including cup competitions such as the FA Cup, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy, and MLS cups, his overall record stands at 325 appearances and 71 goals.[49] The following table provides a detailed season-by-season breakdown of his domestic league statistics, including appearances, goals, and assists. Data encompasses Premier League, Championship, League One, and MLS regular seasons.| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | Barnsley (loan) | League One | 21 | 5 | 3 |
| 2016-17 | West Ham United | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | Sunderland (loan) | Championship | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| 2017-18 | Middlesbrough | Championship | 16 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018-19 | Middlesbrough | Championship | 21 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | Middlesbrough | Championship | 43 | 11 | 7 |
| 2020-21 | Middlesbrough | Championship | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | Watford | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | New York Red Bulls (loan) | MLS | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Wigan Athletic (loan) | Championship | 26 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | Championship | 23 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024-25 | Blackpool | League One | 41 | 11 | 8 |
| 2025-26 | Blackpool | League One | 14 | 4 | 2 |
Honours
During his 2015–16 loan spell at Barnsley from Manchester United, Ashley Fletcher contributed to the club's double triumph in the lower tiers of English football.[50][51] BarnsleyEFL Trophy: 2015–16
Fletcher scored Barnsley's second goal in the final, a 3–2 victory over Oxford United at Wembley Stadium on 3 April 2016.[50][52] League One play-offs: 2016
He opened the scoring in the final against Millwall, helping secure a 3–1 win and promotion to the Championship on 29 May 2016.[51][53] In April 2025, Fletcher received Blackpool's Supporters' Player of the Season award for the 2024–25 campaign.[54]