Lionel Ainsworth

Football player infobox
playername = Lionel Ainsworth


fullname = Lionel Glenn Robert Ainsworth
height = height|ft=5|in=7
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|10|01|df=y
cityofbirth = Nottingham
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Watford
clubnumber = 19
position = Right winger
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2005–2007
2006
2007
2007
2007–2008
2007
2008–
clubs = Derby County
→ Bournemouth (loan)
→ Halifax Town (loan)
→ Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Hereford United
→ Watford (loan)
Watford
caps(goals) = 02 (0)
07 (0)
02 (1)
07 (0)
15 (4)
02 (0)
11 (0)
nationalyears = 2003
2004
2006
nationalteam = England U17
England U18
England U19
nationalcaps(goals) = 01 (0)
01 (0)
01 (0)
pcupdate = 20:51, 6 October 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Lionel Glenn Robert Ainsworth (born 1 October 1987 in Nottingham) is an English footballer who currently plays for Watford. He plays as a right winger.

Career

Ainsworth came through Derby County's academy, signing his first contract on 4 August 2005. During his time with the academy he made singular appearances for England's U17 and U18 sides. [ [http://www.thefa.com/England/U17s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/12/EnglandU17_vSwiz_rep.htm U17s held by Swiss] TheFA.com, 12 November 2003. Retrieved on 5 January 2008.] [ [http://www.thefa.com/England/U18s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/12/EngU18_vScot_Dec04_MR.htm Wheater hands Lions win] TheFA.com, 23 December 2004. Retrieved on 5 January 2008.] He made his first team debut on 25 February 2006 in a 1–0 home win over Plymouth Argyle, coming on as a late substitute for Kevin Lisbie. Three days later, he played for England U19s, [ [http://www.thefa.com/England/U19s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/02/England_slovakia_report.htm Walcott off the mark] TheFA.com, 28 February 2006. Retrieved on 5 January 2008.] continuing an undefeated streak in an England shirt. His made his second first team appearance, again as a substitute, in a 5–0 defeat to Reading on 1 April 2006, in what would prove to be his last game for Derby.

Ainsworth spent the first four months of the 2006–07 season on loan at League One side A.F.C. Bournemouth, but made only nine appearances. In January 2007 he joined Conference side Halifax Town for a month, scoring his first first-team goal on his debut against York City. Soon after his return he joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season, where he made seven appearances, before being recalled in April.

He was released by Derby at the end of the 2006–07 season and was signed by Hereford United, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/6929543.stm Hereford recruit winger Ainsworth] BBC Sport, 3 August 2007] who were about to start their second season back in the Football League. He quickly established his place in the side, scoring a hat-trick in only his second match, a 4–1 League Cup first round win over Yeovil Town. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6941826.stm Ainsworth hat-trick sees Hereford through] BBC Sport, 14 August 2007] On 17 November 2007 he scored another hat-trick in a 3–2 win at Stockport County. In his next game, he scored in the third minute of Hereford's FA Cup replay away at League One side Leeds United, which would prove to be winning goal.

Two days later, on 22 November 2007, Ainsworth joined Watford. The transfer saw him sign initially on loan, with the transfer becoming permanent on 5 January 2008. The exact fee was undisclosed but part of the deal was known to include the extension of Watford players Toumani Diagouraga and Theo Robinson loans to Hereford until the end of the season. Hereford were also given first option of signing Diagouraga, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7109132.stm Watford sign Bulls hero Ainsworth] BBC Sport, 23 November 2007. Retrieved on 24 November 2007.] [ [http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1388694/Statement-On-Lionel-Departure Statement on Lionel Departure] Hereford United Official Site, 23 November 2007. Retrieved on 24 November 2007.] which they utilised during the following close season. Ainsworth signed a two and a half year contract, keeping him with Championship side until the end of the 2009–10 season. [ [http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1205787,00.html Ainsworth signs] Watford Official Site, 5 January 2008. Retrieved on 5 January 2008.]

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=43425|name=Lionel Ainsworth

Persondata
NAME= Ainsworth, Lionel Glenn Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Footballer
DATE OF BIRTH= 1 October 1987
PLACE OF BIRTH= Nottingham, England
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=