I was rejected by Neil Warnock before working as a teacher – then I became top-flight leading scorer

Released by Bradford as a teenager and rejected by Neil Warnock at Leeds before going on to become a star in Finnish football.

That’s Ashley Coffey’s story – and the Englishman has had one of the most unique footballing journeys you can find.

Mikko Stig

Coffey started his playing career at Valley Parade, featuring for their academy from 2006 through to 2008.

But he was released aged 15 for being ‘too slow’ and he was forced to look elsewhere for options to continue his football.

Things would come to an abrupt halt soon after, as Neil Warnock didn’t fancy signing him for Leeds United.

Coffey went on trial at Elland Road with his hometown club, hoping to make his way into the Football League.

But his trial, during which the now-striker played as a centre-back, didn’t end up landing him a deal.

And he ended up leaving the sport behind at the time to instead pursue an alternative career in teaching.

The 32-year-old told BBC Sport in 2024: “I was a Leeds season ticket holder at the time, so it was a bit surreal going on trial for three weeks, seeing players that I watched in the stands.

“I didn’t get a contract, so from there, I just thought, ‘this is kind of over in terms of professional football, I’ll get a qualification at university’.

“I think I probably went out and drank and partied too much, but thoroughly enjoyed it.”

That led to Coffey becoming a tutor, and he worked as one alongside playing some non-league football to keep his passion alive.

Vesa Moilanen

Searching in Sweden

Whilst working as a teacher, Coffey also looked for new clubs to join, and he found one thanks to his Swedish girlfriend.

His partner suggested that he email some Swedish teams to see if he could sign and he heard back from ‘two or three’.

And that amazingly led to a trial with Huddinge IF, who played in the fourth-tier of football in Sweden.

Coffey would gain some momentum with his career again after that trial and his reputation grew massively in the following years.

He would go on to score 28 goals in 29 games for IFK Hanninge in the Swedish third tier, breaking a scoring record in the process.

Then, after that achievement, he signed his first-ever professional deal aged 27, with AFC Eskilstuna in the second tier.

Coffey recalled to BBC Sport: “I realised that if I was going to do anything in football, I needed to really switch on and commit.

“It was quite surreal, the first three to four months I found really hard because I’d worked for something all my life and then instantly, you are just kind of living your dream.”

And this was just the start for the Leeds-born frontman…

Reaching the top

After two years in Sweden, Coffey made the move to Finland and that is where he reached new heights.

He joined top-flight side AC Oulu in 2023 and starred for them, netting 16 times in his debut campaign.

Then a year later, he won ‘Forward of the Year’ in the Veikkausliiga, finishing his second season as joint-top scorer with 12 goals.

In 2024, Coffey then departed the club as their second-highest scorer ever, scoring 36 goals and providing nine assists in 65 games.

Since then, he has made some more bold moves in his career, continuing the theme he has seemed to follow.

He signed for Chinese League One side SH JD Huilong at the start of 2025 and ended up netting 10 times in 27 games.

But he didn’t stay for long, leaving after one season and opting to head to the Jordanian Pro League instead.

And that’s where he currently plays his football with Al-Hussein SC, also featuring in the AFC Champions League.

So far, in three appearances for the club, Coffey has netted once – but more goals are sure to come very soon as his journey continues.