Gareth Ainsworth said former Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Alex Lynch ‘gave everything for this club’, after the 27-year-old confirmed his retirement from professional football on Tuesday [January 31].
Lynch, who spent two years with the Chairboys between 2014 and 2016, only featured in a handful of games, but three of those appearances came during the 2015 League Two play-off campaign.
This ended in a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out defeat against Southend United in the final.
End of a chapter in my life ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zuSilTdUIg
— alexander lynch (@alexanderlynch1) January 31, 2023
READ MORE: Ex-Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper who played at Wembley retires aged 27
Following his departure seven years ago, the Welshman forged a successful career in the Non League but suffered numerous injury problems, which included missing three years' worth of game time between 2018 and 2021.
He is now a coach at the Welsh side, Holyhead Hotspur.
Speaking on working with the former keeper, Ainsworth said: “Alex Lynch was an enthusiastic youngster who came through our doors and was given a great chance following Matt Ingram’s injury [in May 2015].
READ MORE: Rating each departing player's time at Wycombe out of 10 - Do you agree?
He only played eight times for Wycombe, but three of those games came during the 2015 play-off campaign. Good luck with your next chapter, @alexanderlynch1 #Chairboys https://t.co/wVmzqyYWDA
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 1, 2023
“He was unfortunate that we went a different direction with the goalkeepers.
"I would like to say that we have always done well with our keepers, so for Alex to play eight games for us, with four of them being on TV…that is quite something!
“I can’t think of another keeper who has had 50 per cent of their games for one club being in huge fixtures that were in the play-offs and FA Cup.
“Alex gave everything for this club and for me, and I really hope he has a successful coaching career with Holyhead.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here