Gareth Ainsworth and his Dad

Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

It had gone down to the wire, as for Wycombe it usually did. Nerves and tension filled the away terrace, not the dugout though.

As Chairboys fans started to fill up their end, Gareth Ainsworth chatted and joked with his coaching staff; Richard Dobson, Matt Bloomfield and Sam Grace.

Confident in his attire and confident in his side’s chances. And for good reason as they defeated Burton 2-1 to claim sixth and a spot in the play-offs.

Following the final whistle and post-match celebrations with the travelling supporters, Ainsworth took a seat in the dugout alone to reply to a flurry of congratulations from his friends and family.

Whilst his staff and players soaked up the applause and headed back into the dressing room, the boss opted to stay out.

Taking a stroll onto the pitch, he spoke to his biggest supporter on the phone. Ainsworth said: “I rang my Dad after the game and that was really special for me.

“He’s been there right through and I’m getting a bit emotional now because he’s backed me as a player and a manager unbelievably.”

From the highs of the last time the Wanderers were at Wembley, to the lows when the Chairboys went to Torquay filled with hopes and prayers.

There is no doubt that his father, Bill, has been there every step of the way.

Especially before his days in the dugout, and back to May 10 1991 when the rock n’ roll midfielder thought that his career was over before it had begun.

Speaking in 2013 after announcing his retirement, he said: “I’ll never forget the day I was released from Blackburn Rovers. It was on my 18th birthday.

“I remember holding it together in Don Mackay’s office as best I could, walking out of the stadium into the road and breaking down in tears.

“My dad said to me the words I’ll never forget - ‘You’ll make it’. I’ll never forget that.”

Spurred on by his father’s encouragement, Ainsworth went onto play 600 professional games across the top five divisions in the country.

He added: “To have something like that has been outstanding and I’ll do the same for my son. There’s more important things than football in the world and family’s one of them - that proved it.”

Bill acted as his agent during his playing career and helped him bounce back from his Rovers release. He even wrote letters to Blackburn to get his son a trial in the first place.

A bond born on the Riverside at Ewood Park watching his hero and Wycombe legend Simon Garner, to a call on the centre-circle at the Pirelli Stadium moments after his Wycombe had clinched a play-off spot.

Much of Ainsworth’s emotion usually came through his actions. Heading every ball, applauding every tackle and roaring on every chant.

Yet, a post-game chat with his Dad was where the emotion of an untouchable father-son relationship came through.

“It’s not an easy job and it was great to his hear his voice and that he’s so proud of us,” Ainsworth said.

The victory on the day, benefitting from results elsewhere, allowed Wycombe to finish in sixth place setting up an all-Bucks clash for a spot at Wembley.

No stranger to the hallowed turf he’ll be hoping that he can take his club there for a third time with his Dad watching on, as always.