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
CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
Savage delight as Macc hold nerve
WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
WILL Longbottom's second-half brace from the penalty spot saw Guiseley beat Hebburn Town - a result which saw them leapfrog the Hornets in the play-off places.
CLARKE ENJOYS INSTANT IMPACT!
Returning boss sees Reds clinch late win
JACKSON STUNNER BOOSTS CLARETS
FARNHAM Town staged a second-half fightback to further cement their position at the top of the Isthmian South Central.
WELLIES ARE ON THE UP AGAIN!
THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
BRETT BAGS A QUICK SWITCH
Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.
