Ferris Ashton

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Ferris Ashton(Sydney, Australia), Ashton was An Australian rugby league footballer who represented his country in 8 test matches. Ferris was also a member of the Royal Australian Navy(RAN)during the Second World War.

Ashton began his rugby league career playing with the Bondi United club at a junior level. In 1950 the burly forward began his senior career with Eastern Suburbs. A loyal clubman, Ashton played 87 matches for Easts in the years (1950-56), captaining the side in many of those years and has now been made a life member of that club.

In 1951 he played for NSW before gaining selection for Australia the following year in the series against New Zealand. Ashton made a stunning debut giving the final pass for three tries. At years end he was selected for the 1952/53 Kangaroo Tour, on tour he played in twenty-two matches including five tests. His final test appearance was in 1953 when he was Australias sole try scorer in the side that was defeated by New Zealand.

During the Second World War Ferris served onboard the destroyer HMAS Quickmatch and served with the British Fleet in the Paciffic.

A former first grade cricketer, Ashton was a regular on the rugby league television program ‘Controversial Corners’ for many years.