George Ainsley, a centre forward, played for his local side South Shields St. Andrews before joining Sunderland in April 1932.

In December the same year, after just seven league games for Bolton, Ainsley moved to Leeds United.

At the 1962 Merdeka Tournament, he led the side until finishing as runner-ups after falling against Indonesia in the final.

Late in 1963 he became the manager of the Israel national side, leaving that post in December 1964.

He was appointed manager of Workington in June 1965, guiding the side to their highest ever league position (5th in Division Three) the following season.