Rob Jones (footballer, born 1979)

Rob Jones

Jones scoring a goal for Hibernian in a 2006–07 Scottish League Cup tie against Hearts
Personal information
Full nameRobert William Jones[1]
Date of birth3 November 1979[2]
Place of birthStockton-on-Tees, England
Height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)[1]
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Doncaster Rovers
Number5
Youth career
York City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
–1999Whitby Town
1999–2000Northallerton Town
2000–2001Spennymoor United
2001–2003Gateshead71(12)
2003–2004Stockport County16(2)
2003→ Macclesfield Town (loan)1(0)
2004–2006Grimsby Town60(5)
2006–2009Hibernian96(8)
2009–2011Scunthorpe United42(2)
2011→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)8(1)
2011–2012Sheffield Wednesday33(4)
2012–Doncaster Rovers63(9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:33, 21 December 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert William "Rob" Jones (born 3 November 1979) is an English professional footballer who plays for Doncaster Rovers as a defender.

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. Jones won promotion with Wednesday in 2011–12, but signed for Doncaster Rovers on 31 July 2012. He was appointed to a player/coach role with Doncaster in January 2013.

Career

Early career

Born in Stockton-on-Tees, North East England,[1] Jones began his career with York City's youth system as a schoolboy, where he played initially as a striker before being moved to play at left back.[3] After becoming disillusioned he gave up professional football and became a teacher, while playing non-League football with Northern Premier League side Whitby Town.[3] He then went to Northallerton Town of the Northern League for the 1999–2000 season, before moving back to the Northern Premier League with Spennymoor United towards the end of the season.[3] Jones then moved on to Gateshead at the beginning of the 2001–02 season.[4] During his spell with the Tyneside club he made 87 appearances, scoring 19 goals from the centre of defence.[5]

Stockport County

On 29 March 2003,[6] Jones was signed by Stockport County for a fee of £5,000.[7] Jones made his professional debut on 9 August 2003 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.

Grimsby Town

Jones signed on a free transfer for Russell Slade's Grimsby Town in July 2004 after impressing on trial.[8] During the 2004–05 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 2005–06 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.

Hibernian

Jones signed for Hibernian on a four-year contract in June 2006.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11]

BBC Sport reported in the summer of 2007 that Jones had been angered by Hibs turning down an offer for him from Leeds United.[12] Ipswich Town were also interested in Jones at the same time.[13] Colchester United made a "six figure offer" for Jones during January 2009, but this was rejected by Hibs.[11] 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".[11] Hibs later rejected a second offer from Colchester for Jones.[14]

Scunthorpe United

The 2009 close season saw Jones linked with several Championship clubs including Derby, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Swansea.[15] He eventually signed for Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed "club record" fee.[16]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 17 March 2011, Jones signed an emergency loan deal with Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the 2010–11 season.[17] At the end of the season, Wednesday signed Jones on a two-year contract.[18] Gary Megson then appointed Jones team captain for the 2011–12 season.

Doncaster Rovers

On 31 July 2012, Jones continued his tour of South Yorkshire, leaving recently promoted side Sheffield Wednesday to join League 1 club Doncaster Rovers,[19] effectively replacing George Friend, who had just signed for Middlesbrough. Jones scored his first goal for Doncaster in a League Cup win over Hull City on 28 August 2012.[20] Following the departure of manager Dean Saunders, Jones and former Wales manager Brian Flynn were put in temporary charge of the squad.[21][22] After Flynn was appointed manager on a permanent basis, Jones was given a player/coach role to assist Flynn.[23]

On the final day of the 2012–13 season Rovers faced title rivals Brentford away from home and in the final minute conceded a penalty which would have seen Doncaster fall to 3rd and seen the club have to make do with a play-off spot, however Marcello Trotta hit the crossbar and in the resulting scramble Doncaster went on the break to score in the final seconds with James Coppinger's goal not only rescuing them from the play-offs but handing them the League One title after leaders Bournemouth could only manage a draw away at Tranmere Rovers.[24] At the end of the season Flynn stood aside and was promoted to Director of Football, where he was replaced by Paul Dickov. Dickov in turn appointed his own coaching staff and named former Manchester City manager Brian Horton as his assistant resulting in Jones relinquishing his coaching duties and returning to be a full-time member of the playing squad.[25]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 September 2014.
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gateshead 2001–02[26] NPL Premier Division 36510—7[lower-alpha 1]2447
2002–03[27] NPL Premier Division 35700—8[lower-alpha 2]54312
Total 711210—1578719
Stockport County 2003–04[28] Second Division 16200201[lower-alpha 3]0192
Macclesfield Town (loan) 2003–04[28] Third Division 10———10
Grimsby Town 2004–05[29] League Two 20110001[lower-alpha 3]0221
2005–06[30] League Two 40410302[lower-alpha 4]0464
Total 605203030685
Hibernian 2006–07[31] Scottish Premier League 34461534[lower-alpha 5]0498
2007–08[32] Scottish Premier League 300301000340
2008–09[33] Scottish Premier League 32410002[lower-alpha 5]0354
Total 968101636011812
Scunthorpe United 2009–10[34] Championship 2812020—321
2010–11[35] Championship 1411010—161
Total 4223030—482
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2010–11[35] League One 81———81
Sheffield Wednesday 2011–12[36] League One 334400000374
Total 415400000455
Doncaster Rovers 2012–13[37] League One 44720211[lower-alpha 3]0498
2013–14[38] Championship 1210020—141
2014–15[39] League One 500010—60
Total 618205110699
Career total 3884222119426745554
  1. ↑ Three appearances and one goal in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in Durham County Challenge Cup
  2. ↑ Two appearances and one goal in Durham County Challenge Cup, five appearances and four goals in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, one appearance in FA Trophy
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Appearance in Football League Trophy
  4. ↑ Appearances in League Two play-offs
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Appearance in UEFA Intertoto Cup

Honours

Hibernian

Sheffield Wednesday

Doncaster Rovers

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 226. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "R. Jones". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Rob Jones". Hibernian Historical Trust. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "Jones to go on trial at Oldham". Gateshead F.C. 20 February 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "Players A to Z 00–01 to 09–10". Unofficial Gateshead Football Club Statistics Database. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Rob Jones sold to Stockport County". Gateshead F.C. 29 March 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  7. ↑ "Rob Jones". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  8. ↑ "Grimsby sign Jones". BBC Sport. 28 July 2004. Retrieved 6 August 2007.
  9. ↑ "Hibs sign up Jones from Grimsby". BBC Sport. 8 June 2006. Retrieved 6 August 2007.
  10. ↑ "Collins explains skipper change". BBC Sport. 2 January 2007.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Hibs to make Colchester complaint". BBC Sport. 7 January 2009.
  12. ↑ "Hibs quiet on Jones' Leeds link". BBC Sport. 22 August 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2007.
  13. ↑ "Ipswich reveal interest in Jones". BBC Sport. 26 September 2007.
  14. ↑ "Hibs refuse new bid for captain Jones". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 28 January 2009.
  15. ↑ "Six clubs to battle for 'giant' defender". Blackpool Gazette. 22 May 2009.
  16. ↑ "Scunthorpe sign Jones from Hibs". BBC Sport. 9 July 2009.
  17. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday bring in Rob Jones on loan". BBC Sport. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  18. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday sign David Prutton and Rob Jones". BBC Sport. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  19. ↑ "Wednesday Captain Joins Rovers". Doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  20. ↑ "Doncaster 3–2 Hull City". BBC Sport. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "Brian Flynn takes charge of Doncaster Rovers". South Yorkshire Times. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  22. ↑ "Stand-in role for Rob Jones at Doncaster". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 8 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  23. ↑ "Doncaster Rovers appoint Brian Flynn as manager". BBC Sport. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  24. ↑ "BBC Sport - Brentford 0-1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 2013-04-27. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  25. ↑ Hoden, Liam (2013-06-26). "Doncaster Rovers: Dickov hails ‘best signing’". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
  26. ↑ "Gateshead F.C. 2001/02". Unofficial Gateshead Football Club Statistics Database. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  27. ↑ "Gateshead F.C. 2002/03". Unofficial Gateshead Football Club Statistics Database. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Games played by Rob Jones in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Games played by Rob Jones in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Rob Jones in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 September 2014.

External links

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