Lionel Ainsworth

Lionel Glenn Robert Ainsworth (born 1 October 1987 in Nottingham) is an England Association football who currently plays for Watford F.C.. He plays as a Midfielder Winger.

Career

Ainsworth came through Derby County F.C. academy, signing his first contract on 4 August 2005. During his time with the academy he made singular appearances for England's England national under-17 football team and England national under-18 football team sides. He made his first team debut on 25 February 2006 in a 1–0 home win over Plymouth Argyle F.C., coming on as a late substitute for Kevin Lisbie. Three days later, he played for England England national under-19 football team, 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 F.C. 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 in English football season on loan at Football League One side A.F.C. Bournemouth, but made only nine appearances. In January 2007 he joined Football Conference side Halifax Town A.F.C. for a month, scoring his first first-team goal on his debut against York City F.C.. Soon after his return he joined Football League Two side Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 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 F.C., 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 F.C.. On 17 November 2007 he scored another hat-trick in a 3–2 win at Stockport County F.C.. In his next game, he scored in the third minute of Hereford's FA Cup replay away at League One side Leeds United A.F.C., which would prove to be winning goal.

Two days later, on 22 November 2007, Ainsworth joined Watford F.C.. 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, which they utilised during the following close season. Ainsworth signed a two and a half year contract, keeping him with Football League Championship side until the end of the 2009–10 season.