Matty Ashton is being tipped to explode onto the Super League scene on Thursday night - but growing up he doubted he would ever make it to the top.
Warrington’s new full-back or winger was one of a host of talented youngsters in the prolific Rochdale Mayfield set-up, but saw several of his peers, like St Helens’ Matty Lees, join professional clubs. When Ashton got his own chance at Salford it ended in disappointment and release, and a year playing in Australia was more for life experience than career building.
But on his return Ashton was picked up by Swinton Lions, and after 30 tries in 25 games in his debut season, the Wolves came calling.
Such has been his impact in pre-season both on the training field and in friendlies that Ashton has been labelled a "Ferrari" by coach Steve Price, and is being touted to start at full-back in the Super League opener against Wigan on Thursday.
The 21-year-old said: “It’s been a whirlwind of a year for me, a rollercoaster.
“This time last year I just wanted to play a few games for Swinton, show what I can do and hopefully sustain a spot there. From not being picked at the start of the year to eventually doing what I did surprised myself.
“I tried to stay confident then but at the back of my head I started to think is it for me, am I going to get anywhere?
“But as soon as I made my debut and scored two tries I thought I could do something. I’d always wanted it, but coming up through the years and seeing all my mate get scholarships and me get left out, it did knock my confidence a bit.
“I had a year at Salford in their scholarship at 15s, but when I got dropped from there it knocked my confidence again. Now the only way is up.
"Last year definitely helped. There’s some top teams in the Championship, it’s not an easy league at all.
“To play week in week out helped show what I can do and hopefully I can do that in Super League.”
