Saturday, September 24, 2022, marks a very special day in the history of Wycombe Wanderers.

The date not only marks the 135th anniversary of the club’s existence but it also celebrates the 10th year of Gareth Ainsworth’s time in charge of the Chairboys.

Bucks Free Press: The boss will mark his 10th year in charge of the Adams Park club away at Sheffield Wednesday on September 24 (Here he is pictured at Hillsborough in November 2021) (PA)The boss will mark his 10th year in charge of the Adams Park club away at Sheffield Wednesday on September 24 (Here he is pictured at Hillsborough in November 2021) (PA) (Image: PA)

In doing so, he becomes the first manager since the end of the Second World War to be at the helm for a decade, and despite Wycombe’s somewhat stuttering start to the current campaign, he revealed that his ‘proud’ of his current tenure and hopes more positives memories will follow.

READ MORE: 'All these rumours are just rumours' - Wycombe's Gareth Ainsworth dismisses Rotherham United links

However, despite his achievements which includes two promotions and reaching three play-off finals, he admitted that he didn’t think he would be in the job for as long as he has.

Ainsworth said: “You don’t think like that as a football manager.

“It’s very consuming without a doubt and you don’t plan to be in a job for 10 years.

Bucks Free Press: The moment that started everything off, as Wycombe avoided relegation in the Non League away at Torquay in May 2014 (Anita Ross Marshall)The moment that started everything off, as Wycombe avoided relegation in the Non League away at Torquay in May 2014 (Anita Ross Marshall) (Image: Taken a few months earlier on that day at Torquay (Anita Ross Marshall))

“Any manager who does that is very naïve.

“It’s something that just happens and it’s going to happen on Saturday which is brilliant.

“The luck I have had over the years and the people I’ve had with their relationships has been fantastic and I have really proud of the achievements which have come up with over the last 10 years.”

Bucks Free Press: BBCBBC (Image: BBC)

From losing his first match in charge away at Dagenham & Redbridge on September 29, 2012, to giving the club its best home run in 2021, the 49-year-old has given Wycombe some of its best moments in Wanderers’ history.

READ MORE: 'Injuries are killing me' - Gareth Ainsworth's honest reflection as Wycombe lose at Stevenage

Bucks Free Press: Gareth Ainsworth pictured playing for Wycombe during the 2010/11 season Gareth Ainsworth pictured playing for Wycombe during the 2010/11 season (Image: PA)

Promotion into League One after a six-year absence in 2018 to signing Adebayo Akinfenwa, one of the most popular footballers in the history of the EFL, are all on Ainsworth’s CV.

But, there is one moment that will stand out in the manager’s list of achievements.

Ainsworth explained: “The best moment would have to be getting Wycombe into the Championship.
 

“That was an incredible feeling knowing that in 133 years of existence, this club was just one of the few that would be playing in the second tier of English football.

“What a night that was and I’m not a social media person, but even I saw a video that really gets me choked up.

Bucks Free Press: Rob Couhig (left) and Gareth Ainsworth (right) celebrate reaching the play-off final this year (PA)Rob Couhig (left) and Gareth Ainsworth (right) celebrate reaching the play-off final this year (PA) (Image: PA)

“It was seeing all the houses with Wycombe fans and shirts out, and people celebrating at the final whistles in their homes.

“This was during Covid so nobody was at the ground and you couldn’t be in the pub watching it with your mates.

Bucks Free Press: There have been many ups and downs since he took over the role a decade ago (PA)There have been many ups and downs since he took over the role a decade ago (PA) (Image: PA)

READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth is 'disappointed' as his Wycombe side lose 3-0 away at Stevenage

“People in the video were screaming ‘blow the final whistle, blow the final whistle!’ and I get a bit choked up seeing that as that’s how we all felt at Wembley that day.

“That moment is my finest hour at Wycombe Wanderers.

Bucks Free Press: Rob Couhig (left) and Gareth Ainsworth (right) celebrate reaching the play-off final this year (PA)Rob Couhig (left) and Gareth Ainsworth (right) celebrate reaching the play-off final this year (PA) (Image: PA)

“Survival at Torquay is up there because the relief was incredible and the learning I got off that was so important.

“But to take this club to the Championship was special and hopefully it won’t be the last time.”

Bucks Free Press: Keeping it cool in the dugout (PA)Keeping it cool in the dugout (PA) (Image: PA)

So far, Ainsworth has won 206 games from his 526 matches in charge, and here’s hoping he can record the club’s first-ever victory away at Sheffield Wednesday this Saturday.