Ian Ascough

Based on true events.
Once got a yellow card against Cafu.
Missed a semi-final penalty at Hampden. #UTB
A Canadian in European football 🇨🇦

[Middlesbrough FC @Boro]

It comes down to this 👊

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Southampton kicked out of Championship play-off final for spying. Correct decision, especially as it transpires they spied on three clubs in total. This is about more than a bloke standing behind a tree with an iPhone. It’s about how seriously the game should take cheating. EFL independent disciplinary commission have struck a blow for fair play, for integrity, for the need for respect between clubs, for coaches to have an expectation of privacy in training. 25% of goals scored in the Championship this season were from set-pieces. Clubs practised them. Understandably, coaches don’t want their plans revealed. EFL sending a strong message with this punishment. 

Spygate 2 different from Spygate 1. Rules tightened and punishments introduced since Leeds United’s offence. Appeals, of course. It’s tough for Southampton fans to be denied the trip to Wembley and the chance of a return to the Premier League. It’s particularly tough that many have forked out for tickets, travel and accommodation. Their frustration and anger should be directed at their club. Southampton should recompense fans. It’s not the fans’ fault. 

The stupidity in all this is that Southampton would probably have beaten Boro anyway. Better team, stronger bench. But this is so damning… “Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match,” says EFL. “The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.” So the punishment is proportionate. It should act as a deterrent. Honesty matters.

[Middlesbrough FC @Boro]

A statement from MFC:

Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing.

We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.

As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.

Ticket information for our supporters will be available shortly.

[Loughborough AU Men’s Football @lborounimensfc]

Introducing our 25/26 team of the season🤩

Each of these lads featured most in our team of the weeks throughout the season! Congrats on consistently producing outstanding performances in your respective teams this year🤝

#LSMFC

[Will @BoroWill15]

Sad news. Proud to say I played for the club. My first taste of men’s football at 17.

Was part of an unbelievable U18 side that was one of the highlights of my youth football.

Scored a few decent goals too 🥲

[Wembley Stadium @wembleystadium]

Thank you @jfa_samuraiblue ❤️🤝

[Will @BoroWill15]

Loughborough 3-1 Birmingham

I wonder which is my favourite photo 🤔 +3 🇦🇹

[ʜᴀʀᴘᴇɴᴅᴇɴ ᴛᴏᴡɴ ꜰᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ ᴄʟᴜʙ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ @HTFCDevelopment]

Town's goal against Spartan South Midlands Division 2 league leaders Sarratt scored by Matt Ascough, his second goal of the season in the 17 year-old's 13th appearance.

Another perfect set piece delivery from 17 year-old George Wilde.

#NonLeague #harpenden

[Loughborough AU Men’s Football @lborounimensfc]

58’ GOAAAAL

The ball falls to Ascough's feet on the line. Questionable whether it ends up going in off a Worcester player, but Ascough claims it to put us ahead

🟣3-2🔵 #LSMFC

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

One of the many reasons why Kevin Keegan is special is that he makes other people feel special, and that's a great gift. Keegan is a footballing great who wears his greatness lightly. He’s King Kev and a man of the people. He's never forgotten his Doncaster roots, indeed is very proud of them, and the work ethic inherited from his father and grandfather, both miners.

A work ethic that propelled Keegan to the top. The great smell of Brut - and sweat. That was Keegan the player. He maximised every last ounce of his talent. That's one of the many reasons he's always been so respected. Another of the many reasons why there is such an outpouring of love for Keegan, and so many messages of support as he undergoes treatment for cancer, is that as a footballer he reached for the stars with his feet firmly on the ground.

Keegan is one of the greatest footballers in English and European history, a European champion with Liverpool, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner at Hamburg, a much-loved Newcastle United player and manager, and whole-hearted in his work with England as player and manager. Diego Maradona asked for his shirt after an Argentina-England game in 1980. Keegan played against Pele, George Best and Johan Cruyff. And yet he’s as down to earth as they come. In fact, he often sends himself up.

He cares for people. I went to interview him once at Maiden Castle, Durham, where Newcastle were training at the time and Keegan was the manager of the Entertainers. He sent a message to say he’d come to the pavilion for a chat when training was finished. Great. I might get an early train home. A member of Newcastle’s staff mentioned that Kevin might take a while because this was a day when fans were allowed in to watch.

He stepped off the pitch, and spent around an hour signing autographs, chatting away, never rushing people, just making them feel special. He dropped to his haunches so he could talk to one kid in a wheelchair, making eye contact, and having a proper chat. It meant the world to this kid that Keegan cared. He reached the pavilion, changed, and gave me 20 minutes of his time. He’s incredibly generous with his time. And there have always been so many demands on it.

He tells the story that his determination to sign every autograph and meet every picture request dates back to a moment when, as a kid, he was snubbed by a Doncaster Rovers player. Keegan had waited after a Rovers game, politely approached his favourite player, and got knocked back. He’s never forgotten the hurt he felt. So he makes sure he fulfils every autograph request – no matter how long the queue.

I hosted a talk with Keegan at the Cheltenham Literary Festival in 2018. He was promoting his autobiography so was obviously going to be accommodating. But, typically, he went above and beyond. Smartly suited, Keegan arrived so early that only the security guy was there. Keegan patiently chatted away with the security guy, asking him about his job, where he lived, just being friendly because that is Kevin Keegan for you. Interested in people. Good to them.

Later, when the talk to the audience finished, Keegan headed into the Waterstones’ tent to sign books. The queue was huge. The Festival was closing for the night but Keegan stayed two hours to make sure everyone had their copy signed or their shirt. One lady had her Liverpool jacket signed (below). Keegan not only signed but had a joke and a laugh and a picture with them all.

On Boxing Day, Keegan was at Scunthorpe United, his first club, promoting non-League football. He joined in the carols and got behind the bar, pulling pints, helping out, spreading laughter. Because that’s what Kevin Keegan does – spreads joy. And that’s one of the many, many reasons people are rooting for Kevin Keegan at this challenging time.

[Ian Ascough @ChineseLens]

@vQOKU My pleasure, @vQOKU. It's been a treat to observe what you, Dan, & Cam have done to create a culture & environment to help young footballers progress into @SSMFLOfficial football. Well played & here's to continued success in 2026 💫

[Ian Ascough @ChineseLens]

@HTFCDevelopment @willascough15 @baldocktownfc @SSMFLOfficial @ValeDynamos Having known Will since U14, Baldock Town are getting a great player who's won everything at youth level, but an even better person.

Look after him & go well, Will 🤝🏽

[Middlesbrough FC @Boro]

We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Kim Hellberg as our new head coach🤝

Welcome to Boro, Kim 🇸🇪

[Dr Eva Carneiro @evacarneiro]

Article in the paper @Telegraph today .
#Morocco we love you . You’re better than this

[ʜᴀʀᴘᴇɴᴅᴇɴ ᴛᴏᴡɴ ꜰᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ ᴄʟᴜʙ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ @HTFCDevelopment]

ꜰᴜʟʟ-ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴡᴇᴇᴋ 15

Codicote 1 Harpenden Town Devs 2

Goals from Jason Beck & an injury-time winner from captain Will Ascough against a much-improved Codicote side.

Val Qoku & Daniel Marjanovic's young side take all the points back to Rothamsted Park

[Ian Ascough @ChineseLens]

@vQOKU @HTFCDevelopment @Dmarjanovicaep @Harpenden_Town Such a different game from last week, but your side never stopped trying to have a go. Full credit to you, Dan, and Cam for changing the game with your subs, two of whom contributed on each goal.

Big shout to Jason Beck. Didn't miss a challenge all game 👍🏻

[ʜᴀʀᴘᴇɴᴅᴇɴ ᴛᴏᴡɴ ꜰᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ ᴄʟᴜʙ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ @HTFCDevelopment]

ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴅᴀʏ ꜰɪꜰᴛᴇᴇɴ

@FC_Codicote v Harpenden Town Dev

🕘 3PM kick-off
🏆@SpartanSMFL
📍 Bury Lane, Codicote SG48XY
🍺☕️Bar Open from 12:30
🎟️Entrance £4 Concession/ Members £2, U16 Free

[bob mortimer @RealBobMortimer]

All that needs to be said really

[Ian Ascough @ChineseLens]

@evacarneiro Thirded.

[Ian Ascough @ChineseLens]

@vQOKU @Dmarjanovicaep Satisfying that a set piece you worked on on the training ground results in a goal. From Ed's 1st contact to the group asking questions of the defenders & Matt's weaker foot finish....love the detail & what you worked on at training = goal on Saturday. It isn't going unnoticed 👊🏻