Gareth Ainsworth joined QPR on a free transfer from Cardiff City in the summer of 2003.

Ainsworth is a winger who can play on the right or left wing. His preferred position is on the right where he gets down the line and whips crosses in from the touchline. He can also play on the left though where he can cut in on his right foot and cause plenty of problems.

Ainsworth made his name at Port Vale where he was superb down the wing creating many chances before moving onto Wimbledon. Injuries halted his progress though and he never really fulfilled the potential he had shown at Port Vale. One of his best performances for Wimbledon came against QPR when he tore us apart in a 5-0 win for the Wombles.

Ainsworth almost joined QPR on loan in the 2002/03 season but instead ended up at Walsall before joining Cardiff in March. He played a big part in the run in for Cardiff and became very popular with the Cardiff fans. His match up against Gino Padula last year was a great one but a red card in a game at Bristol City saw him suspended for the playoff semi final.

He was released by Cardiff after they beat us in the playoff final and Ian Holloway beat off competition from Walsall to sign the talented winger.

Ainsworth is a very direct player who runs at defences and gets good crosses in. He also has a good goal record scoring over 60 goals from midfield which is an excellent record.

He got off to a dream start with Rangers getting two goals on his league debut against Blackpool and another goal in a cup win over Cheltenham.

His direct play and non stop work rate made him popular among fans and he then went down in QPR folklore with two amazing goals against Rushden and Diamonds. His first won goal of the season on this site as well as goal of the year on ITV. His second was just as good and led to him shooting on sight for the rest of the season.

Injuries saw him miss a big chunk of the season through injury but returned in time to help us win promotion and ended the season with seven goals which was a good return from the wide player.

The 2004/05 season saw Ainsworth start in sparkling form. He scored the opening goal of the season against Rotherham giving an outstanding display on the right wing and continued his good form with an equally impressive performance at Sunderland. Injury again halted him though and he didn’t reappear in a QPR shirt until November coming on as a sub at West Ham.

Ainsworth scored another spectacular goal in the game at Leeds and his form during a poor run for the team was one of the few bright spots of the Christmas period.

Ainsworth always gives his all for the cause although his final ball has let him down at times this season. He signed a new two year contract in March 2005.

The 2005/06 season was an excellent one for Gareth Ainsworth culminating in him winning the player of the season award on this web site.

Ainsworth was expected to be a bit part player this season with Rowlands, Cook and Langley the ones to start out wide but from day one Ainsworth had made the right wing position his own and was the star of the season for Rangers.

His strengths are well known. He is a 100% player who will give everything to the cause, flying into tackles, running the down the wing and getting crosses in.

Many fans complain about his lack of end product but that is something Ainsworth improved upon as his crosses created chances and goals whilst his was always a threat in the air grabbing nine goals.

He may not be the best player to ever play for QPR but he is a player who always gives his all and in a season of so many disappointments, Ainsworth was one of the few players we had who was worth going to see play.

2006/07 was a mixed one for Ainsworth. He didn't start too well as the team struggled and he picked up and injury which saw him miss several months of the season. When the chips were down though Ainsworth came through and was outstanding in the final weeks of the season where his non stop work and exciting wing player played a huge part in keeping us in the division.

Last season his first team opportunities were limited but he continued to give his all every time he played and was named first team coach under De Canio. He continued that role under Iain Dowie before Dowie left the club and at the time of writing Gareth Ainsworth has become the caretaker manager and is one of the favorites to be the new QPR boss.