Lionel Ainsworth
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Lionel Glenn Robert Ainsworth | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Right winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Watford | ||
| Number | 39 | ||
Lionel Glenn Robert Ainsworth (born 1 October 1987 in Nottingham) is an English footballer who currently plays for Watford, on loan from Hereford United.
Ainsworth, who developed as a player through Derby County's academy, signed his first contract on 4 August 2005. He made his debut for the first team on 25 February 2006 against Plymouth Argyle.
He joined Bournemouth on loan for the 2006-07 season and his first game came against Chesterfield on 5 August 2006.
On 1 January 2007, he returned to Derby County and spent a month on loan at Halifax Town, where he scored on his debut against York City on January 23, 2007.
On 22 February 2007, he joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season, where he made seven appearances, before being recalled one game early. He was released by Derby at the end of the season, and after impressing in pre-season friendlies he signed for Hereford United on 31 July 2007.[1]
Only eleven days later Ainsworth struck a first half hat-trick in a 4-1 League Cup First Round win over League One side Yeovil Town. [2] He drew further attention to himself when he bagged another hat-trick in a League match at Stockport County, before scoring the winner against Leeds United in an FA Cup replay at Elland Road. This made him the highest goalscorer of the club at that time, with 8 goals in all competitions.
On 22 November 2007, Lionel joined Watford on loan from Hereford United until January, when the deal could become permanent. The deal includes a fee thought to be in excess of £445,000 paid in a number of lump sums including sell on fees. The extension of the loans of Watford players Toumani Diagouraga and Theo Robinson to the end of the current season at Hereford, and first option on the services of Diagouraga, are also thought to be part of the deal.[3][4]
Lionel joined Watford on a permanent contract for 3 and a half years on the 5th of December.
Lionel has also represented England at Under-17 and Under-19 level.
External links
- Official Hereford United Profile
- Lionel Ainsworth at Soccerbase
References
- ^ Hereford recruit winger Ainsworth BBC Sport, 3 August 2007
- ^ Ainsworth hat-trick sees Hereford through BBC Sport, 14 August 2007
- ^ Watford sign Bulls hero Ainsworth BBC Sport, 23 November 2007. Retrieved on 24 November 2007.
- ^ Statement on Lionel Departure Hereford United Official Site, 23 November 2007. Retrieved on 24 November 2007.