Jason Ainsley Explained

Jason Ainsley (born 30 July 1970) is an English football manager and former player who is currently Head of Football of Spennymoor Town F.C., which compete in the National League North, in the English football league system.

Playing career

Ainsley signed for Football League Third Division side Hartlepool United from Spennymoor in June 1994. In October 1994, Ainsley scored his only professional goal for Hartlepool in a 3–1 victory against Preston.^[3] After leaving Hartlepool, Ainsley played for several English non-league sides as well as for clubs in Australia and Singapore.^[4]

Coaching career

In 2006, Ainsley was appointed as manager of Northern League Division Two (the tenth tier of English football) side Spennymoor.^[5] Ainsley was manager of club Spennymoor Town from 2006 until 2020.^{[6] [7]} Ainsley was the longest-serving manager in the top seven divisions of English football when he left Spennymoor in 2020.^[8] Ainsley won 11 trophies whilst at Spennymoor in more than 770 matches.^[9] Ainsley guided Spennymoor to the National League North (6th tier), the highest division in their history.^[10]

In October 2022, Ainsley returned to Spennymoor Town as manager until the end of the 2022–23 season.^[11] Having missed out on the play-offs on the final day of the season, he returned to his role of Head of Football in May 2023.^[12]

Personal life

Ainsley is also a teacher and head of year at Mortimer Community College.^[13]

Honours

Manager

Spennymoor Town

• Northern League Division One

2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14; runner-up: 2012–13

• Northern League Division Two

2006–07

• FA Vase

2012–13

Notes and References

1. News: Jason Ainsley . In The Mad Crowd . 17 April 2021.
2. News: Jason Ainsley . In The Mad Crowd . 17 April 2021.
3. News: Hartlepool 3-1 Preston . In The Mad Crowd . 17 April 2021.
4. News: Jason 'God' Ainsley reaches a career pinnacle . The Journal . 4 May 2013 . 18 August 2014 . Brown, Steve . 5 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305034346/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jason-god-ainsley-reaches-career-4392319 . dead .
5. News: Time to transfer to Non-League? . Spennymoor Town FC . 25 May 2018 . 17 April 2021.
6. News: Former S.League star Jason Ainsley named Northern Non-League Manager of the Year . Goal.com . 30 October 2013 . 18 August 2014.
7. Web site: Players Information . Spennymoor Town FC . 18 August 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140719132213/http://www.spennymoortownfc.co.uk/club-info/players-information . 19 July 2014 .
8. News: Long-serving manager Jason Ainsley leaves Spennymoor Town FC . Catherine Priestley . The Northern Echo . 11 December 2020 . 17 April 2021.
9. News: Long-serving manager Jason Ainsley leaves Spennymoor Town FC . Catherine Priestley . The Northern Echo . 11 December 2020 . 17 April 2021.
10. News: Long-serving manager Jason Ainsley leaves Spennymoor Town FC . Catherine Priestley . The Northern Echo . 11 December 2020 . 17 April 2021.
11. Web site: Statement: Football Management Update. spennymoortownfc.co.uk. 11 October 2022. 14 October 2022.
12. Web site: Chandler Named As Spennymoor Manager. spennymoortownfc.co.uk. 18 May 2023. 18 May 2023.
13. Web site: Backtrack: Jason Ainsley - the manager guiding Spennymoor Town to unknown heights has "settled down a bit" . Mike . Amos . The Northern Echo . 25 January 2018 . 17 February 2019 .