| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert William Jones | ||
| Date of birth | 3 November 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Stockton-on-Tees, England | ||
| Height | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Sheffield Wednesday | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| York City | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| –1999 | Whitby Town | ||
| 1999–2000 | Northallerton Town | ||
| 2000–2001 | Spennymoor United | 44 | (3) |
| 2001–2003 | Gateshead | 71 | (12) |
| 2003–2004 | Stockport County | 16 | (2) |
| 2003 | → Macclesfield Town (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2004–2006 | Grimsby Town | 60 | (5) |
| 2006–2009 | Hibernian | 96 | (8) |
| 2009–2011 | Scunthorpe United | 42 | (2) |
| 2011 | → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| 2011– | Sheffield Wednesday | 20 | (4) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:02, 25 October 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Robert William "Rob" Jones (born 3 November 1979 in Stockton-on-Tees, England) is an English footballer who currently plays as a centre back for League One club Sheffield Wednesday.
Having started his career with York City, before playing as a semi-professional for Whitby Town, Northallerton Town, Spennymoor United and Gateshead, he soon moved into The Football League in 2003 with Stockport County. After a brief loan spell with Macclesfield Town, Jones joined Grimsby Town, where his performances in the 2005–06 season earned him a move to Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.
Jones captained Hibs as the club won the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final, in which he scored the opening goal. He moved to Scunthorpe United in 2009 for a club record fee, before signing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2011.
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Former school teacher Jones began his footballing career with York City,[1] before moving into non-league football with Northern Premier League side Whitby Town.[1] He then went to Northallerton Town of the Northern League for the 1999–2000 season,[2] before moving back to the Northern Premier League with Spennymoor United towards the end of the season.[1] Jones then moved on to Gateshead at the beginning of the 2001–02 season.[3] During his spell with the Tyneside club he made 87 appearances in all competitions, scoring 19 goals from the centre of defence.[4]
On 29 March 2003,[5] Jones was signed by Stockport County for a fee of £5000.[6] Jones made his professional debut on August 9, 2002 in a 1–0 defeat against Wycombe Wanderers. Originally signed as cover, Jones struggled to break into the first team both under Carlton Palmer and his replacement Sammy McIlroy. By the end of the season Jones had only managed 16 appearances, scoring two goals against Luton Town and Peterborough United. During his spell with County he had a spell on loan with Macclesfield Town where he played one match, a 2–2 away draw against Hull City.
Jones signed on a free transfer for Russell Slade's Grimsby Town in July 2004 after impressing on trial.[7] During the 2004–2005 season, his first year at Blundell Park Jones struggled to cement his place in the first team, and was often overlooked in favour of Terrell Forbes and Justin Whittle. Jones made his debut on the opening day of the season in a 1–0 away defeat against Darlington. During the 2005–2006 season Jones moved on to play a central role in the team in his second season. The club made a strong start to the season in both league and cup which included a 1–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup second round during September 2005. It was following this match that Jones who impressed at centre half was carried off the pitch by Grimsby fans. The club failed to gain automatic promotion from Football League Two on the final day of the season and had to settle for the play-off's. Despite beating local rivals Lincoln City in the semi-final Grimsby lost the final 1–0 to Cheltenham Town. Following the clubs failure to secure promotion Jones was one of several key players who departed the club in the summer of 2006 with the club agreeing a deal to sell Jones to Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.
Jones signed for Hibernian on a four year contract in June 2006.[8] He was very well received by Hibs supporters, who created his own individual song to the tune of "Gold" by Spandau Ballet. Jones was made captain of Hibernian in January 2007, replacing Kevin Thomson.[9]
Jones went on to captain Hibs to their first piece of silverware in 16 years by beating Kilmarnock 5–1 in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final. He opened the scoring in that match with a header from a corner kick. Due to his height, Jones is effective in the air both defensively and at attacking set pieces. As of January 2009, Jones has scored ten goals in Scottish Premier League matches.[10]
BBC Sport reported in the summer of 2007 that Jones had been angered by Hibs turning down an offer for him from Leeds United.[11] Ipswich Town were also interested in Jones at the same time.[12] Colchester United made a "six figure offer" for Jones during January 2009, but this was rejected by Hibs.[10] Hibs also stated their intention to report Colchester to the Football League and the Football Association because Colchester publicised their offer, even though the offer document stated that it was "confidential".[10] Hibs later rejected a second offer from Colchester for Jones.[13]
The 2009 close season saw Jones linked with several Championship clubs including Derby, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Swansea.[14] He eventually signed for Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed "club record" fee.[15]
On 17 March 2011, Jones signed an emergency loan deal with Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the 2010–11 season.[16] At the end of the season, Wednesday signed Jones on a two year contract.[17] Gary Megson then appointed Jones team captain for the 2011–12 season.
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