Ex-Files: Gareth Ainsworth
It seems as though every club Gareth Ainsworth plays for, he becomes an instant fans favourite and is held in high regards even after he has left. After making over 80 appearances in three years for North End, Ainsworth was transferred to Lincoln City where he had a similar impact to that at Deepdale. Ainsworth was regarded one of the finest players to play for the Lincoln City in modern times due to his impressive scoring ratio from midfield and his passionate approach to the Club and fans. Accordingly, Gareth was voted 4th in Lincoln City's top 100 legends which is some feat after spending a mere two years at the club.
In 1997, Ainsworth moved to Port Vale where he spent one year with the club, making 55 appearances and scoring 10 goals. Such form attracted the attention of Wimbledon who captured the Lancashire born midfielder for £2m. Despite spending 5 years as a Wimbledon player, Ainsworth only managed to appear 45 times for the Dons due to injury and so was sent out on loan on two occasions in 2002 to regain his fitness. The first of his two loan spells was at the club he started his career off with, Preston North End. Craig Brown brought Ainsworth in on the last day of the loan transfer window in a bid to end the season on a high. Many expected Ainsworth to sign on a permanent deal come the new season but an injury hampered any transfer activity and instead he signed for Cardiff City before joining his current club, Queens Park Rangers.
As he has been for the majority of the clubs he has played for, Ainsworth is a fans favourite at Loftus Road and despite suffering two major injuries last season, he was considered to be instrumental in the team that pulled off 'the great escape'. This season, with new managers coming in Ainsworth has found it harder to hold down a regular place in the team. His last appearance for QPR was away at Wolves where he came on as a second half substitute where he was an integral part of the move which gave Rangers a 3-2 lead going into the last 10 minutes. However, his last start for Rangers was against Chelsea in the FA cup, back in January.
With his lack of first team football, Gareth may feel it is time to hang up his boots and pursue a career as a rock star with his band, 'Dog Chewed the Handle'.