ASHLEY BAYES

'Ashley John Bayes' (born April 19, 1972 in Lincoln) is an English professional football goalkeeper who plays for Crawley Town. He has represented England at Youth level.
Ashley Bayes began his career as an apprentice at Brentford, making his league debut on the March 20, 1990 against Preston North End at Griffin Park, and turning professional on the 5th of July later that year. He made only 3 further league appearances over the next 3 seasons and was released, joining Torquay United on August 13, 1993. Although he started the season as second choice to Matthew Lowe, he played 32 league games in his first season, and another two games in the play-offs as Torquay lost a bad-tempered tie with Preston North End.
He remained a regular the following season, but lost his place to Ray Newland in the 1995-96 season. After 97 games for the Gulls he moved on a free transfer again, joining local rivals Exeter City on July 31, 1996. Once more he soon established himself as a first choice goalkeeper, his performances earning him the 1998-99 club Player of the Year award. At the end of the 1998-99 season, after 127 league games, Bayes turned down a new two year contract with Exeter, becoming the first Exeter player to leave under the Bosman ruling, joining Leyton Orient on July 5, 1999. His first game for Orient came on the 7th of August, a surprising 2-1 defeat to then perennial strugglers Carlisle United at Brunton Park. Soon after Bayes lost his place to Scott Barrett, but eventually he won his place back and became the established regular goalkeeper at Brisbane Road.
He left Orient in May 2002 on a free transfer,^[1] joining Irish side Bohemians in June 2002. Bayes became a fan favourite at the club and won a league winning medal that season.
However, he lost his place to Seamus Kelly at the beginning of the next season and returned to England in March 2003, joining Conference side Woking.^[2] He rejected a new contract with Woking^[3] and joined ambitious non-league side Hornchurch in May 2004,^[4] but left, along with many other players, in November that year, joining Grays Athletic ^[5] as Hornchurch suffered a financial collapse.^[6] Bayes starred as Grays won the 2005 FA Trophy final, saving the crucial penalty as Grays beat Hucknall Town 6-5 on penalties.^[7] Bayes was also part of the Grays team which retained the FA Trophy the following season.^[8]
Bayes was released by Grays at the end of the 2006-07 season,^[9] and in June 2007, despite stating his desperation to rejoin Exeter City,^[10] joined Crawley Town.^[11]

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References

1. Brush to sweep Bayes out
2. Bayes has high hopes
3. Richards signs for Woking
4. Hill makes another major signing
5. Bayes makes Grays switch
6. For Hornchurch read AFC Hornchurch
7. Grays 1-1 Hucknall Town
8. Grays turn style into substance
9. Edinburgh begins summer clearout
10. Bayes desperate for Grecian return
11. Crawley boss signs four players

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