Swinton secure exciting youngster Matty Ashton for another year

James Gordon

Swinton full-back Matty Ashton has signed a one-year contract extension.

Ashton, 20, has scored 17 tries in 18 appearances for the Lions this season and had attracted interest from elsewhere.

He said: “I’m glad to get the deal over the line and I’m now looking forward to what the future holds.

“We have such a young squad who love playing rugby league with each other and expressing ourselves.

“All the boys have such a close bond off the pitch as well as on it, and hopefully I’m going to be part of building something special for the club.”

Ashton spent a year Down Under with Northern Rivers RL club Mullumbimby Giants, and previously played for community club Rochdale Mayfield.

Chairman Andy Mazey said: “It’s fantastic news for the club and our supporters that we’ve managed to secure one of the sport’s most exciting young prospects, Matty Ashton, to the end of 2020.

“It’s a real statement of intent of where we want to be as a club and I really hope the supporters will unite behind us as we head into an exciting new chapter for this club.

“We’ve been working hard on this deal for quite some time now, so I’m delighted to have got it concluded.

“Matty has been fantastic for us this season and I’m looking forward to seeing him continue his development under our coach and staff in the famous Lions shirt.”