WHEN Gareth Ainsworth makes the 600th and final appearance of his career this afternoon, the sight of his parents watching on from the stand will be the moment when he is most likely to shed a tear.

Set to turn 40 in two weeks' time, Blackburn-born Ainsworth has called time on his playing career to concentrate on his role as manager of League Two side Wycombe Wanderers.

His last game fittingly comes at home to one of his former clubs, Port Vale, and his faithful parents will be present once more.

Over the course of 21 years as a professional for the likes of Preston, Wimbledon and QPR, mother Christine and father Bill have hardly missed a game – travelling up and down the country from their home in Blackburn to watch their son fulfilling his dream.

The family bond is strong and he sought his dad’s advice when he made the decision to quit – just as he had listened to him following his release from his beloved Blackburn Rovers on his 18th birthday.

“When I was released from Blackburn my dad told me that he still thought I would make it,” Ainsworth recalls, having broken down in tears outside Ewood Park after being told by Don Mackay that he would not be offered a professional contract by his boyhood club in 1991.

“My parents have supported me so much in my career, they have probably been to 550 or maybe 570 of my games, and it’s not a short journey to QPR or Wycombe.

“It was just a shame that my only Premier League goals both came in the same game, for Wimbledon at Newcastle, and that was one of the few games they missed.

“I told them I was on the bench and that I didn’t think I’d get on, so not to make the long journey. They were gutted to miss it, but they made sure they watched Match of the Day!

“Throughout my entire career I never had an agent, my dad looked after my deals. My parents will be there today with my brother Liam. That will probably be the moment when I get emotional, when I see them.

“It has been a really difficult decision to finish playing football. It was all I ever wanted to do since I was at St Augustine’s School in Billington, and playing on Pleckgate playing fields.

“I had long conversations with my missus and my mum and dad. But my dad said the best thing is to finish on a high.”

And finishing on a high is what Ainsworth is doing.

After taking over as player-manager of Wycombe, first as caretaker in September and then on a permanent basis six weeks later, he has guided the Chairboys from the League Two relegation zone to 14th place going into the last game of the season.

His reward has been a new two-year deal as manager.

“After a month we dropped to bottom of the league after a defeat at Northampton and that was hard, “ said Ainsworth, who has made 24 appearances this term.

“But we’ve done really well since and it’s fantastic to be going into the last game loking to finish in mid-table or even in the top half.

“I have learned a lot this season and I’m not going to stop learning now.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new deal at Wycombe and I see this as the start for me. I’m ambitious to manage higher one day and I think it would be wrong not to be.”

After being released by Rovers, Ainsworth had a brief period in non-league with Northwich before being snapped up by Preston.

The winger’s first spell at Deepdale lasted only six months before John Beck took him to Cambridge.

Shortly afterwards Beck became manager of Preston and ensured a swift return to North End for Ainsworth.

“John Beck was one of the managers I learned most from,” said Ainsworth.

“He was a fantastic motivator and a believer in sports psychology.

“People talked a lot about John and said he was crazy, they talked about the cold showers after games but he brought in things like ice baths and massages that a lot of people do now.”

Ainsworth also recalls commanding a fee when moving to Lincoln.

“When I went to Lincoln I signed for £25,000 and I thought I’ve made it, someone has actually paid money for me!” he said.

“The only regret would be not playing for Blackburn’s first team, but apart from that I wouldn’t change anything about my career.”

Just as his parents have been important in his life, his six-year-old son Kane has now adopted his love for Rovers.

“We live just outside Wokingham and he’s the only kid around here with a Blackburn Rovers shirt, he’s a Rovers fan,” Ainsworth said.

“They always say don’t live your dreams through your kids but if he could one day play for Rovers, that would be everything complete.”