Zachary Ashworth

Zac Ashworth scored the goal that made his name in a 4–1 win over Carlisle United: a first-time volley for Bolton Wanderers. It won the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month award for January 2024 and was considered for the Puskás Award. It was his first goal of that kind in the EFL, and his second for Bolton came in a draw with Barnsley.

Ashworth is a left-footed defender who is happiest at left wing-back. He joined the West Bromwich Albion academy at ten and worked up through the under-18 and under-21/under-23 sides. In 2021–22 he won the Premier League Cup with the under-23s. He made his senior debut that season as a substitute in an FA Cup defeat to Brighton, then played his first league game in April. Those were his only two senior appearances for West Brom.

Regular football came on loan. Burton Albion had him for the second half of the 2022–23 season, and Bolton kept him for the whole of 2023–24. He has also played for Wales at under-21 level, winning ten caps between 2022 and 2024. He was born in King's Lynn, and his Welsh descent is the reason he represents Wales.

In June 2024 Blackpool signed him from West Brom on a three-year contract with an option of a further year. The club signed Hayden Coulson at the same time, which meant competition for the left wing-back place. Ashworth said there was no bad blood between them. In January 2025 he went to Scottish Premiership side Ross County on loan until the end of the season, and he returned to Blackpool in May. His first goal for the club came in a 2–0 League One win over Northampton Town in January 2026.