I loved Geo, but third? please log in to view this image HE was the man who famously captained Hull City from the fourth tier to the Premier League. And now Ian Ashbee's ground-breaking achievements have seen him heralded as the club's best signing of the modern era. In a poll conducted through the Mail's website to find the Tigers' most cherished signing of the last 15 years, Ashbee was the runaway winner. The midfielder earned over a third of the votes, beating Stuart Elliott into second and Geovanni into third. The value of Andy Dawson, Dean Windass, and James Chester was also recognised in a poll that gathered the opinions of over 900 supporters. Ashbee's worth to City's recent history has never been questioned. Signed on a free transfer from Cambridge United during the brief reign of Jan Molby in 2002, Ashbee went on to make over 250 appearances during his eight and a half years with the Tigers. Most notable were his achievements as captain. After leading City to promotion out of Division Three in 2003-04 and League One in 2004-05, he completed an historic hat-trick when he was skipper for the 2008 Championship play-off final win over Bristol City. Ashbee had the honour of leading City out in their first ever top-flight fixture at the start of the 2008-09 Premier League season. The Birmingham-born star's records were made all the more impressive by the fact he twice returned from a career threatening knee injury. please log in to view this image Another of Molby's recruits finished second in the Mail's poll, with Stuart Elliott's prolific spell with City earning him the runners-up prize. The Northern Ireland international fully justified the £230,000 fee that sealed his move from Scottish side Motherwell, firing the goals that inspired back-to-back promotions under Peter Taylor. Elliott's 27 league goals in 2004-05 see him stand apart as the only City player in the last two decades to surpass the 20-goal mark in a season. Other promotion favourites such as Dawson, Chester and Nick Barmby proved popular, but it was Geovanni who finished third in the list for City's best business. The Brazilian star drew 13 per cent of the vote thanks to his magical spell at the KC. As well as scoring City's first ever top-flight goal, the free transfer scored an unforgettable strike to sink Arsenal at the Emirates in 2008. Ian Ashbee 34%, Stuart Elliott 15%, Geovanni 13%, Andy Dawson 10%, Dean Windass 9%, James Chester 7%, Nick Barmby 5%, Michael Turner 4%, Boaz Myhill 3%, Ryan France 0% http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Ian-...tory-28364175-detail/story.html#ixzz3uP3b0DQU
Geo 3rd shows how many plastics voted. Elliott is still the best for me. Ashbee second and Barmby third. To be honest, after Elliott, most of the big names who played before the Prem would get in there. Of the players they gave to choose from, he'd be bottom for me. Honorable mention (for OLM): Simon Walton
Not a chance, he was too slow and slowed the game down too much. Meyler and Livermore are better signings than Ash.
I couldn't separate Elliott and Ashbee - both of equal importance. Dawson for me would probably have 3rd spot. As important as Barmby was, he was still an enigma as a player.
I'd agree on the pitch, he oft went missing, but he changed the whole psyche of the club. We suddenly had a 'swagger' about us and helped kick the steamroller into 3rd gear.
It was as much about his position on the pitch as well. Undoubtedly an exceptional footballer but for me he was neither a striker or a midfielder. He occupied that awkward position in the hole which was probably his best position.
Ashby Elliott Dawson If I actually just left it there some of you twats wouldn't accept I was kidding. So.... Sir Ian Ashbee is the correct choice and we'll done to all that voted.
Myhill deserves a bit of respect too, went all the way up the leagues with us and is still playing top flight football now and then. I agree about Barmby being the final piece of the jigsaw taking us to the top and also think he was shamefully treated by the Allams though I still don't understand why he chose to have his silence bought when he's got enough money as it is
Nobody pre 2004... Barmby was the catalyst for me, him and the new stadium which made us a bigger club.. the 4-2 at Hillsborough was THE moment when I thought "Could this be the awakening that Emelyn Hughes referred to all those years ago?" Ashbee as captain through all 4 divisions still wins it though Geovanni was magical but for a short stint, Windass & Elliott are in the mix My Dad (RIP) always said Raich Carter was the best ever player for us & why not a nod for Warren Joyce, Robbie Koren or Andy Payton?
because it's this century for a start - however Koren has got to be up in the top 10 - if only we had someone who scored his goals from midfield now
I still can't believe Geovanni (it's too cold to turn up but score a couple of screamers when it's warmer) got 3rd, I'd have had Deano, Ash & Dawson/Elliott as my top 3! Geo was quality but not above others!
Wot no Altidore? Best hold up player we've had in the twenty first century by a King's ransom. He held up everyone, every place and everything. He was like Bonnie and Clyde in a US bank, like Dick Turpin on the Lincoln turnpike, like Raoul Moat in a Northumbrian chip shop, or like a Marks and Sparks elasticated stocking. Sometimes he even held up the ball. In fact, isn't a Dozy Jozy type of player exactly what we currently need?
My Sunderland supporting mate said we should try and get Crouch on loan, I would usually laugh but ironically we could do with somebody like that or Jozy 'scored one or maybe two goals for us' Altidore
No surprise that it's Ian Ashbee - streets ahead of anyone else for what he helped this club achieve.
I'd much prefer Proswitch! (however you spell his name!). I'm told he takes a better penalty than Hernandez!
