True Roosters: Ferris Ashton
A beloved clubman, entertainer and war veteran, Ferris Ashton encapsulated the spirit of Rugby League, the spirit of Eastern Suburbs and the spirit of the ANZACs.
| Name: | Ferris Arthur Ashton |
| Nickname: | Ferdie |
| DOB: | 21/08/1926 |
| Club Debut: | Round 5, 1950 vs Balmain |
| Roosters Player No. | 374 |
| First Grade Games for Club: | 84 |
| First Grade Points for Club: | 60 from 20 tries |
| Representative Career: | 1 game for NSW XIII (1951) 1 game for Australian Probables (1951) 4 games for NSW Firsts (1952) 1 game for NSW City Firsts (1952) 8 Test Matches for Australia (1952-1953) 1952-1953 Kangaroo Tour |
| Individual Accolades: | Sydney Roosters Captain-Coach (1954) Sydney Roosters Life Member (1999) Ashton-Collier Spirit of ANZAC Medal (2013-present) |
A Bondi local who followed the famous sides of the 1930s, Ashton was destined to wear the Red, White and Blue from an early age - and was nicknamed 'Ferdie' (after Ferdinand the Bull) for his fearless charges.
But destiny would have to take a back seat as the enthusiastic youngster was whisked away to serve in World War II at just seventeen years of age, which saw him begin his Naval service in 1944 with the HMAS Quickmatch.
Ashton served in all carrier actions as an Able Seaman including Sachasima, Formosa and Okinawa until appendicitis in 1945 saw him head into recruitment for a further two years, before he resurrected his ambitions to wear the Tricolours with Bondi United as he returned home.
Juggling Rugby League and rugby union, Ashton stuck with the thirteen-man game, surprisingly as a fullback, and after 50 matches with United, he was called up to grade in 1949 - and immediately had an impact on the Easts reserve grade side who won the Premiership.
The following season saw the burly forward make his first-grade debut against Balmain in Round 5, and maintained his meteoric rise through Club and representative sides with distinction over the coming seasons.
In just his second season in first-grade, Ashton made his debut for NSW, going on to play five matches in sky blue, before being selected on the Kangaroos' Tour of 1952-53 in the first Rugby League match to be telecast live.
It was on this tour where he would not only entertain his teammates with his musical talent on the piano in the team's hotels - but also inspire the Club's jersey design following a trip to France with Easts teammate Col Donohoe, recalling the decision in 2007:
“Col and I had been in France with the Kangaroos in 1952 and had noted the French jumpers and how the colours were interwoven," he said.
"With the old Easts Tricolour jumper it became very hard to distinguish the colours towards the end of the season after repeated washings – and especially so if it had been a year like 1950 when it rained for the whole season.
"So Col and I had the bright idea of suggesting the change of jumper with the major use of the navy blue, with the ‘V’ and the red and white. It was a case of moving with the times and other clubs had done it, and because Col and I were on the committee we got the change through.
"There was a mixed reaction – and especially so from the old traditional Easts ‘sun-risers’.”
Season 1954 was a significant one for the bustling second rower, which not only saw his jersey design recommendation come to fruition - one that has been a staple ever since - but also marked his rise as Captain-Coach of the side following Donohoe's departure.
The popular figure played his final season for the Club in 1956 at age 30, totalling 84 first-grade and 112 total games for Easts, before leaving Sydney to take up a role as safety manager for the Snowy Mountains Scheme - while always keeping the Eastern Suburbs close to his heart.
Following his on-field career, Ashton was a popular member on Channel 7's Sportsworld Sunday alongside legendary Rugby League figure Rex Mossop on Controversy Corner, entertaining audiences with his equally-matched intelligence and humour.
Outside of the game he loved most, Ashton was an all-around sportsman as a middleweight champion of the navy, while scoring a first-grade century for Waverley Cricket Club against St George in 1953 and was also a noted entertainer for friends and colleagues alike.
Sam Walker claims Spirit of Anzac Medal
Ashton was honoured with Life Membership of the Club in 1999, remaining as an Eastern Suburbs stalwart and supporter throughout retirement commonly found watching the Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground.
His popularity with fans before each match saw him become a central figure in the ANZAC Day Cup's credibility and popularity rising with each coming year, and an icon of the pre-match ceremonies.
Following his passing in 2013, the popular figure was honoured alongside Dragons World War II veteran Bill Collier in the naming of the Ashton Collier Spirit of ANZAC Medal, awarded to the Man of the Match in the annual fixture.
Revered by friends, family, teammates and fans alike, Ferris Ashton lives on in both the spirit of Rugby League, the spirit of Eastern Suburbs and the spirit of ANZAC.
Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
