Aynsley McDonald

Aynsley McDonald

Born 25 January 1992 (Age 16 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #281)

Total appearances 7 (1 League, 1 League Cup, 5 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut: 21 January 2008 (Home Northampton Spencer)

Final game: 12 January 2011 (Home Brackley Town)

Aynsley progressed through the Diamonds Youth Scheme to win a place in the Diamonds first team squad, and to make his league debut for the club in April 2010. Originating from Earls Barton, he joined Diamonds Centre of Excellence in his Under 13 year and progressed to captain the Diamonds U18s. He played in the first team friendly against Spurs in July 2009 and made his debut against Stevenage in the Setanta Shield in November 2009. He joined up with the Welsh Under-17 squad during the 2008/2009 season, and started in their 2-2 draw against hosts Turkey in a UEFA Elite qualifying tournament on 26th March 2009, and then went on to start in the 3-0 victory against Romania in the same tournament on 31st March 2009. He also joined the Welsh international pre-season tour to Denmark prior to the 2009/2010 season, playing the whole of the game against Iceland. His performances during the 2008/2009 season also won him the Alan Thomas Most Improved Player of the Season award.

During the 2009/2010 season, he went on loan to Wingate and Finchley, and then to Banbury United, and in early February 2010 was given a first team squad number shortly after his 18th birthday. In mid-March he went on a work experience loan to Billericay Town, making his debut for them on 20 March 2010. He was rewarded with a professional contract the following season in early April 2010, and went on to make his league debut for the Diamonds on 17 April 2010 when he played much of the second half in the 1-0 victory at Wrexham. During the 2010/2011 season, he recovered from an early season injury to go out on loan to AFC Sudbury in late September and then to Banbury United during the late Autumn. After a short spell back with the Diamonds as injury cover, he went back on loan at Banbury in mid-January 2011 for the remainder of the season, before being released in May 2011. On 20 June 2011, he signed for Conference North side Corby Town. His season was troubled with injury however, and he left during the following summer to become one of the first signings for the newly formed UCL Division One side AFC Rushden & Diamonds on 25 June 2012. On 31 October 2012, it was announced that he had left the club due to personal reasons following a breach of discipline. He made 11 appearances for the newly formed club, and returned to play Northants Combination football with his hometown club Earls Barton. At the beginning of August 2014, Aynsley joined UCL Premier side Northampton Sileby Rangers. He moved on to Wellingborough Town in early 2015 and was still registered there for the 2018-19 season.

Appearances

2007/2008 – squad number =

2008/2009 – squad number 29

2009/2010 – squad number 29

2010/2011 – squad number 21