Spencer has lost another legend

Ainslie was:-

• A Spencer man through and through. He joined the club in 1956 and played for the first XI for 18 seasons! He went on to play for all lower elevens. In one game he offered to play in goal and players remember his dribbling out of the circle with his pads on! What a player!   
• Club captain for ten years from season 1973/4 to 10/83/84 season, he then went on to become chairman until 1988/1989 Season.
• One of the calmest individuals at the club who never got ruffled on or off the pitch. 

Ainslie and his wife Silvia were instrumental in the club's decision to start Women’s section - which we all know was the best thing that happened our club. Silvia was also a umpire at the club umpiring many men’s games with a sharp whistle!  Their son Tom and daughter Sophie were always with them at the club. Tom played for our Men's section before migrating to Australia.  

Ainslie and another one of our stalwarts Richard Fowells shared a flat in their younger days and remained fast friends throughout. Richard shares the following: -

 "When Ainslie arrived at Spencer the hockey first eleven was going through a lean period. Ainslie started at centre forward when the ball reached the half way line a cry would go up from the side lines ( grass pitch) “ Give the ball to Ainslie !”He would quite often dribble through and score. Ainslie joined an all Spencer flat in the 70’s, Holbein Pace SW1. John Maskell and myself were already installed which in the 60’s and 70’s was an exciting place to live.

I can only repeat my closing words at Ainslie’s funeral that my lasting memory of him is how gracious and graceful he was in whatever he put his hand to sporting or otherwise- a true gentleman."

Our sincere condolences to Ainsley's family and friends.