Back in May 1991, he was released on his 18th birthday by hometown team Blackburn Rovers following two years as an apprentice footballer hugging the right wing.
Nonetheless, resilient Ainsworth picked himself up and produced exhilarating performances turning out for Northwich Victoria in the GM Vauxhall Conference (now the National League). Within weeks, he ascended to the professional ranks.
A fruitful 21-year playing adventure thereby unfolded embracing Preston North End, Cambridge United, Lincoln City, Port Vale, Wimbledon (in the Premier League), Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers and Wycombe Wanderers. He subsequently managed Wycombe before returning to Loftus Road and taking charge at QPR in February, but certainly won’t disregard his humble Non-League roots.
“My boyhood dream was to sign professionally at Blackburn Rovers and I’d been planning a night on the town to celebrate my 18th birthday,” the 50-year-old said reflecting on that very early rebuff. “The rejection wasn’t nice and came totally out of the blue. I broke down crying in the club car park.
“I quickly considered my options and went on trial in Preston North End’s youth squad where the guy in charge was Walter Joyce. Anyhow, after two months he had nothing to offer me.
Characters
“Fortunately, Walter was friends with former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star Sammy McIlroy, manager of Northwich Victoria at the time. And Walter put a word in recommending me to Sammy.
“I hadn’t actually heard of Northwich! I only focused on the Football League growing up and didn’t really look towards Conference sides.
Denne historien er fra June 25, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 25, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WRAGGY WILL BE SORELY MISSED
MACCLESFIELD FC have led the tributes to “colossal” former manager Peter Wragg, who has passed away.
BURY & RAMMY HIT BIG STAGE!
BRYANLY’S late penalty kept Bury top of the tree in front of another record-breaking crowd at Gigg Lane on Boxing Day.
BRAVE BERKO ARE ON TRACK
Ducks demolition maintains title tilt
OWLS THAT! CLEE GLEE ON TOP OF THE TREE
CLEETHORPES Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of NPL East with a hard-fought 2-1 derby win over North Ferriby at the Myenergi Stadium.
HAWKS SWOOP IN FOR DERBY GLORY
REUBEN AUSTIN hailed Havant & Waterlooville teammate Leon Maloney’s wonder goal as ‘a hell of a strike’ as the Hawks continued their promotion push with a 3-1 local derby success over Gosport Borough.
JULIUS DICTATES - BUT FANS MIST IT
JULUS Ndene handed Leek Town a famous victory in the mist – not that any of the fans got to see it!
GOLDEN BROWN BACK AT THE TOP
PHIL Brown gave his Kidderminster Harriers players Christmas off – and was rewarded with a climb to the top of the tree.
BRENNAN'S BOYS SALVAGED IN 'KAMIKAZE' YEAR END
STRAIGHT talking Dean Brennan lamented ‘kamikaze’ defending despite seeing his Barnet nick a dramatic late point to end 2024 at the National League summit.
FIVE-STAR PIRATES PUMMEL ROVERS
IN the final game of the year at the Ledger Stadium, second-placed Real Bedford faced off against fourth-placed Barton Rovers, who arrived as the league’s in-form side.
MOORE'S LATE GOAL SEALS BIG REDS WIN
GEORGE Moore was the hero grabbing a stoppage-time winner to sink Kingstonian and take Uxbridge to third in the table in what is becoming a fascinating promotion race in the Pitching-In Isthmian South Central.
