He was a full back. He began his career with Derby Athletic and in 1896 joined Burton Swifts, where he made 88 league appearances over the next two seasons. Ashby moved on to Brighton United in 1898. He spent nearly two seasons there before the club experienced financial difficulties, released their players and were dissolved.
Ashby joined Burton United in 1901, an amalgamation of the Swifts and Burton Wanderers, and played in 92 league matches over the next three seasons.
A club handbook describes Ashby as "a player who has had a good reputation among second leaguers for several seasons." He joined Leicester Fosse in 1905 for an £80 transfer fee. He spent two seasons with the club and made 68 appearances in all competitions before ending his playing career.
Ashby died in 1926.