Aynsley McDonald is a defender who has progressed through the Rushden & 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 the Diamonds Centre of Excellence in his Under 13 year and progressed to captain the Diamonds Youth team.

Aynsley played in the first team friendly in July 2009 against Spurs and made his debut against Stevenage in the Setanta Shield in November 2009.

He joined up with the Welsh Under-17 squad during the 2008-09 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 2009/10 season, playing the whole of the game against Iceland.

Aynsley's performances during the 2008-09 season also won him the Alan Thomas Most Improved Player of the Season award.

During the 2009-10 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 20th March 2010. He was rewarded with a professional contract for the 2010-11 season in early April 2010, and went on to make his league debut for the Diamonds on 17th April 2010 when he played much of the second half in the 1-0 victory at Wrexham.

During the 2010-11 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. During his spell at AFC Sudbury he appeared for them in the FA Trophy, so is cup-tied in that competition. 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.