The young Newcastle defender featured for West Ham in the opening game of the Europa Conference League
Newcastle United’s new boy Harrison Ashby could be given a Europa Conference League winners medal after West Ham United sealed their first major European honor since 1965. David Moyes’ men defeated Italian side Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague last night, to write their name in the Hammers’ history books.
Ashby played 90 minutes for West Ham in their 3-1 win over Viborg in the qualifying rounds of the competition. The young defender was one of 32 different players used by the Hammers across their 14 matches in Europe this season.
It’s been quite the slog for the Premier League side who began their European campaign back in August. The Hammers were unbeaten on their way to the final and will now take part in the Europa League next season after winning the competition.
West Ham will be handed 40 winners medals as per UEFA law, but the club have a decision to make in terms of who will be awarded a medal. It’s up to the the discretion of the club as to which of those players are awarded a medal.
Of the list of 32, centre-back Craig Dawson and right-back Ashby, have both left the club on permanent deals to sign for Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United respectively. Of the 40 medals, some will go to members of the coaching staff, handing the Hammers with a welcome headache in dividing those up.
Ashby joined the Magpies in January and was on the bench for the final two games of the Premier League season. The 21-year-old is expected to play a bigger part this season given Newcastle’s European qualification and their full squad will be needed.
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