Early Life
Ashcroft was the only son of office worker Frank and hairdresser Louise (maiden name Baxter); he also has two younger sisters. His middle name 'Paul' is the name of his father's brother. When Ashcroft was 11, his father died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage. Ashcroft soon "fell under the influence of his stepfather", who belonged to the Rosicrucians.
Ashcroft attended Up Holland High School, along with future bandmates Simon Jones, Peter Salisbury and Simon Tong, and then attended Winstanley College, where he met Nick McCabe. His teachers referred to him as "the cancer of the class", though one member of staff recalled him being "incredibly intelligent". Ashcroft was an avid football player, playing junior football for Wigan Athletic. For some time Ashcroft wanted to be a professional football player, idolising George Best, but as he grew older he lost interest in this, turning to music instead.
Richard channels his love of football with the occasional run out for The Legends and played in the Celtic FC vs Man U - The Legends game at Celtic Park on 9 August 2011.The Scottish Sun, 27 July 2011
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