Tributes paid to Shrewsbury photographer who travelled the globe and captured some of football's most iconic moments

Matthew Ashton, a lifelong Shrewsbury Town fan, died on Friday after a 14 month battle with a brain tumour.

Mr Ashton, who set up and ran the AMA Sports Photo Agency, covered a host of football's biggest tournaments and matches in a career that took him across the globe - taking pictures capturing some of the sport's most memorable moments.

AMA provides Shrewsbury Town with its official photographers and Mr Ashton himself published a book on the club's former home - called 'Goodbye Gay Meadow', which achieved major recognition when it was named the Best Illustrated title in the British Sports Book Awards.

During his career he covered eight World Cups, 25 Champions League finals, and a host of other major international competitions such as the FIFA World Club Cup, and the African Cup of Nations.

His catalogue of images included an unforgettable picture of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's iconic knee-sliding celebration after scoring Manchester United's stoppage-time winner against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League Final.

Others included Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner, which secured Spain's first ever World Cup against the Netherlands, and Jerzy Dudek's astonishing penalty heroics in Liverpool's remarkable 2005 Champions League win against AC Milan.

In a Q&A on his Football Photographer's Association biography Mr Ashton, who previously worked for the Shropshire Star and the EMPICS picture agency, told how despite travelling the globe The Gay Meadow had always held a place in his heart.

Asked his favourite ground to work at, he said: "Despite photographing football in over 90 countries, my answer is easy. I loved being at Shrewsbury Town’s old ground, Gay Meadow.

"I have seen Borussia Dortmund’s Westfallenstadion grow and grow, but the over all winner is simply the San Siro in Milano, Italy. For me, it is the best football theatre in the world. Just everything about it is sensational.”

Outlining his own advice to aspiring photographers he said: "Be your fiercest critic. I believe that those starting out never appreciate how many years us older photographers spent developing our skills, making mistakes when it did not matter and practising. 

"I had been shooting every week for seven years before joining EMPICS. I thought I was OK but got bombed out of the Euro 96 Final and after that really worked hard and tried to master my craft!

"Everything has to be spot on, focus, composition, colour balance, timing, seeing shapes. Not being a perfectionist means being second best."

A post from AMA confirming the death of its founder paid tribute to a man who 'made friends in every corner of the globe'.

It said: "It is with great sadness that we have to tell you our great friend and founder, Matthew Ashton, passed away on Friday 17th January following a 14 month battle with a brain tumour.

"A good friend described Matt as one of a kind, and we don't think it could be put any better. He had a lifelong passion for Shrewsbury Town FC, Simple Minds, Japan and photography. He travelled the world following those passions and made friends in every corner of the globe.

"He stood up for what he believed in and he loved to tell a story (albeit more than once), surely everyone knows how many World Cups he did by now!! We could go on, if you know you know.

"But Matt's best stories were through his photography and he has passed his skills onto a good few of us along the way.

"Photography was his life and we are honoured at AMA to be able to carry on his legacy.

"Thank you to everyone who has been a good friend to Matt, his family, and us all at AMA."

Shrewsbury Town Football Club also paid tribute, saying: "Everyone at Shrewsbury Town would like to pay their respects to Matt Ashton, a sports photographer and passionate Salop fan who sadly passed away on Friday."

It added: "A huge Shrewsbury fan, he began taking pictures of Town when he was just 17, with those images the start of an extraordinary career that took him across the globe.

"Matt’s journey saw him cover eight World Cups as well as 25 Champions League finals. He also covered seven Gold Cups, four Asian Cups and two African Cup of Nations.

"Despite his career taking him around the world, Matt’s first love was always Shrewsbury Town, and he came back to take pictures at the Croud Meadow whenever he could.

"Matt sadly passed away on Friday following a 14-month battle with a brain tumour.

"Everyone at the club sends their deepest condolences to his family, friends and all his colleagues across the world. Matt will be sorely missed."