in which he converted two penalties. During the season, Ashton was reportedly linked to a number of clubs, Wolves were among the clubs interested in signing the striker at the time, however Dario Gradi regarded all the rumours as just speculation. Having previously played for England at Under-19 level, he stepped up to the under-21 team that season, scoring against the Netherlands and Sweden. Ashton scored 20 times for Crewe in the 2004–05 season prior to becoming Norwich City's record signing at £3 million. (He was also the third Crewe striker to sign for Norwich, following Ashley Ward in 1994, and Mark Rivers in 2001). Norwich City Ashton joined Norwich City from Crewe Alexandra for a fee of £3 million in January 2005, breaking the club's transfer record previously held by the £1 million deal that brought Jon Newsome to Norwich City from Leeds United in 1994, although this record was later broken by the £3.5m transfer of Robert Earnshaw to Carrow Road from West Bromwich Albion. Additionally, Crewe inserted a 20% sell-on clause, meaning that the South Cheshire club would receive 20 percent of any profit if Norwich sold the striker to another club. He scored on his home debut for Norwich City against Middlesbrough in an exciting eight goal thriller, Norwich came back from 4–1 down to draw the match 4–4. In February, Ashton scored an impressive goal against Manchester City which later achieved second place in the BBC's Goal of the Month for February, Thierry Henry's goal against Crystal Palace won the award. Many of the pundits believed that Ashton would be the key to Norwich's survival. Ashton scored many important goals in Norwich's fight for survival, including the deciding goals against Newcastle and Birmingham. Norwich however, were relegated in 2005 and even with a host of Premier league clubs interested in him, Ashton decided to stay at the club in the next season in an attempt to win promotion back into the Premier League. Later that year Ashton scored his first and only hat trick for Norwich City against Southampton, in a 3–1 win at Carrow Road. With Norwich out of the top flight there was much speculation surrounding Ashton's future at the club, with some people believing a player with his qualities merited a place in the Premier League. Many clubs, including Manchester City and Charlton Athletic, considered him; the Addicks manager, Alan Curbishley, was