Ashurst was born on 12 April 1948, the son of Frank Goulding and Mary Anne Ashurst.
Ashurst was first introduced to rugby league at the age of 10 when he watched the television broadcast of Wigan's 13-9 victory over Workington Town in the 1958 Challenge Cup Final during the 1957-58 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 10 May 1958.