Ashley Young

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This article is about Ashley Young the English football player. For the American porn actress, see Kitty Yung.

Personal information
Ashley Young
Full name	Ashley Young
Date of birth	July 9, 1985 (age 21)
Place of birth	Stevenage, England
Height	5 ft 9 in
Position	Midfield, Striker
Club information
Current club	Watford
Number	15
Youth clubs
2000 - 2002	Watford
Professional clubs*
Years	Club	Apps (goals)
2002 —	Watford	92 (19)
National team**
2006 —	England U21	4 (0)
* Professional club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:41, 7 December 2006 (UTC). ** National team caps and goals correct as of 2006-11-15.

Ashley Young (born 9 July 1985 in Stevenage) is a professional English football player who currently plays as a midfielder for Watford.

Despite having been turned away by Watford's Academy after an unsuccessful spell, Young endeavoured to improve himself as a player and was eventually offered a professional deal by the club. The 21 year old was handed his first team debut under Ray Lewington in September 2003, scoring as a substitute against Millwall. He achieved 5 substitute appearances that season, scoring three goals and made his first start for the club in the League Cup. Young came to prominence in the 2004/2005 season, playing a part in 34 of Watford's league matches as they struggled to survive in the Championship. Although he failed to find the net, he was instrumental in many of Watford's goals, with his excellent crosses and set-piece delivery becoming a valuable weapon. His performance during this season earned him the club's 'Young Player of the Season' award.

Under Aidy Boothroyd in the 2005/2006 season Young flourished and was given a new lease of life as a striker. Young started 41 league matches, finding the net 15 times as Watford stormed into the play-offs and eventually beat Leeds United 3-0 to gain promotion to the Premiership. Young was one of a number of players to benefit from Boothroyd's management and style of play, with Watford fans finally seeing the best of a player who promised so much but found it difficult to impress in an ailing team. In February 2006 Young earnt a call-up to Peter Taylor's England U21 League squad to face an Italian Serie B squad alongside team-mate Chris Eagles. Young started alongside Eagles in the 1-0 win, playing the first half.

Young has continued to impress at Watford in their 2006-2007 Premiership season and despite his slight build he uses his pace and trickery to good effect. He has already caused problems for some of the country's top defenders including embarrassing Mikael Silvestre with a fleet-footed turn of pace in their recent league match against Man Utd, leading to Watford's goal. Young's continued form has earned him a first England U21 call-up to face Switzerland U-21s in September 2006. Young played the pivotal last 15 minutes of the game as England scored a late goal to win 3-2, topping their group and reaching a play-off for a place in the forthcoming European Championships.

Young has two brothers in Watford's Academy system. Lewis Young is a first year year scholar, whilst Kyle Young trains with Watford's under 11s.^[1]