Lionel Ainsworth

Derby County

Ainsworth was born in Derby and started his career at Derby County, signing his first professional contract on 4 August 2005. 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. His second and final first team appearance for Derby came in a 5–0 defeat to Reading on 1 April 2006, again as a substitute. Ainsworth spent the first four months of the 2006–07 season on loan at League One side AFC Bournemouth, but made only nine appearances. In January 2007, he joined Conference side Halifax Town for a month, scoring his first senior goal on his debut against York City. Soon after his return to Derby, 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.

Hereford United

He was released by Derby at the end of the 2006–07 season and was signed by Hereford United, who were about to start their second season back in the Football League. He quickly established his place in the side and featured in every first team match bar one, during his time with the Bulls. In only his second match he scored his first senior hat-trick in a 4–1 League Cup first round win over Yeovil Town. He went on to score another hat-trick, this time in a 3–2 league win at Stockport County. Ainsworth's last match for Hereford saw him score a 3rd-minute winner against Leeds United, in the FA Cup first…

Ainsworth has represented England at youth level playing for the England U-17 and England U-18 sides. Ainsworth received his first call up for the England U-19 team shortly after breaking into the first team at Derby County.

As of match played on 22 April 2023