Ex-lifeguard Matty Ashton out to keep Warrington swimming towards Old Trafford

MATTY Ashton is ready for the play-offs to go swimmingly rather than seeing Warrington sink as soon as they dip their toe in the play-off pool.

The winger has established himself as a mainstay of the Wolves’ attack, earning him an England place.

And the dyed-in-the-wool Manchester United fan has his eyes on following his idols by doing his stuff at Old Trafford.

Some distance from working as a lifeguard at the Village Hotel in Bury.

“That’s where it all started for me,” said Ashton. “So I guess there’s been a bit of improvement.

“I was a lifeguard in 2019 when I was at Swinton. I did that alongside playing but the five years have flown by.

“And I wasn’t always the most talented growing up, so it’s been more about determination and that willingness to get to where I want to be.

“Being a professional rugby player was what I’d always dreamed of. I was going to keep going until I got my opportunity.

“And the next three weeks are massive for myself personally and the club. We’ll do everything we can to try and create history.”

If Warrington win, they will be one game from the Grand Final and an attempt to end a 69-YEAR title drought.

And Ashton, 26, is desperate to follow the United stars he watched, as well as the rugby league legends that have graced the hallowed turf.

But that cannot enter the equation against St Helens today or whoever they face if they succeed.

He added: “Playing at Old Trafford has ran through my head since I started playing to be honest, watching every Grand Final when I was growing up.

“Hopefully I get the chance this year, but St Helens is the only game in front of us now. It’s do or die and previous results against them this year count for nothing.

“Saints have been there and done it but our mentality’s changed under Sam Burgess. He’s made us into a group that believes in each other and knows where we can go.

“We were always known as a team that can score points but our defence wasn’t there. This year, that’s been flipped on its head.”