Gareth Ainsworth
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gareth Ainsworth | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Queens Park Rangers | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
Gareth Ainsworth (born 10 May 1973 in Blackburn, Lancashire) is an English professional footballer currently playing for Queens Park Rangers.
His previous clubs are; Northwich Victoria, Preston North End (three spells), Cambridge United, Lincoln City, Port Vale, Wimbledon (costing £2 m), Walsall and Cardiff City.
Ainsworth is regarded by Lincoln City fans as one of the finest players to play for the Club in modern times due to his tremendous scoring ratio from midfield and his passionate commitment to the Club and fans. On May 5 2007, The last game of the 2006/2007 season, Gareth was voted 4th in Lincoln City's top 100 legends. Gareth also plays guitar and sings in a band called 'Dog chewed the handle'.
QPR
Gareth Ainsworth signed for QPR at the start of the 2003/04 season, from Cardiff, the team that beat QPR in the previous seasons play-off final. In the opening game of the season Ainsworth scored 2 in a 5-0 win over Blackpool. This was followed up a few games later with two stunning goals against Rushden & Diamonds, one a volley from 35 yards, and another a powerful drive from the same distance. QPR won promotion that season.
Since then Ainsworth has struggled with injuries, but when fit has been a regular in the side. During the disappointing campaign of 2005/06 Ainsworth was one of the only bright points, coming second in the player of the year awards behind Danny Shittu, and finishing joint top scorer on 11 goals with Marc Nygaard.
The following season was something of a struggle for Ainsworth, with another change of manager and injuries, but when he did play his forceful play down the wing was impressive.
Ainsworth is one of the featured players in the internet viral sensation 'Pass It On', created to publicize the launch of 24 bespoke football designs by Mitre. One for each of the clubs in The Championship.
Ainsworth is currently injured with a broken leg (fractured fibula).[when?]
External links
- garethainsworth.com
- Gareth Ainsworth at Soccerbase
- Photos and stats at sporting-heroes.net
  | This biographical article related to association football in England, about a midfielder born in the 1970s, is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1973 births
- Living people
- English footballers
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
- Preston North End F.C. players
- Cambridge United F.C. players
- Lincoln City F.C. players
- Walsall F.C. players
- Cardiff City F.C. players
- People from Blackburn
- Wimbledon F.C. players
- Premier League players
- English football midfielder, 1970s birth stubs