Alex Jones (footballer, born 1994)

Alexander Richard Jones (born 28 September 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker.

Alex Jones
Personal information
Full name Alexander Richard Jones[1]
Date of birth (1994-09-28) 28 September 1994[2]
Place of birth Sutton Coldfield, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[3]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
2006–2014 West Bromwich Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 West Bromwich Albion 0 (0)
2015–2017 Birmingham City 0 (0)
2015 → Grimsby Town (loan) 4 (0)
2016–2017 → Port Vale (loan) 19 (9)
2017–2019 Bradford City 24 (5)
2019 → Cambridge United (loan) 12 (1)
2019–2020 Partick Thistle 12 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:12, 20 March 2020 (UTC)

Jones began his career with West Bromwich Albion, and in 2015 spent time with Grimsby Town of the National League. A loan move to A-League club Wellington Phoenix in 2016 fell through because of an administrative error by New Zealand Football. He joined Port Vale on a five-month loan deal in August 2016, and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Bradford City the following January. He left Bradford in 2019, following a loan spell at Cambridge United. He spent the 2019–20 season with Scottish club Partick Thistle.

Club career

West Bromwich Albion

Jones was born in Sutton Coldfield,[4] and began his football career as a youngster with West Bromwich Albion at the age of 12.[5] He was a member of the team that won the UK finals of the Nike Premier Cup in 2009, and took up a two-year scholarship in 2011.[4][6] When his initial scholarship ended in 2013, he was given a third year.[7] During the 2013–14 season he helped the club's reserve team win the Birmingham Senior Cup,[8][9] and in May 2015 he signed his first professional contract, of one year with the option of a second.[10] Jones sustained an injury during a pre-season friendly that kept him out for three months; he scored twice on his return to the under-21 team,[11][12] and came up with another two goals in his next three matches.[13] Nevertheless, the club decided not to take up the option on his contract – which came as a shock to the player[14] – and in the latter part of the season he had trials with Walsall and Birmingham City.[15]

Birmingham City

After appearing in two under-21 matches as part of his trial, the Championship club were sufficiently impressed to offer Jones a two-year contract, which he accepted.[16] He played regularly for the club's under-21 team in the 2015–16 season, and in November, he joined National League club Grimsby Town on a month's loan to gain experience of senior football.[17] Although only meeting the team on the way to the match, he came on as a late substitute and set up a goal for Pádraig Amond as Grimsby won 3–0 away to Barrow.[18] Jones made six appearances during the month; although he did not score, his contribution to the team was such that Grimsby wanted to keep him on, but Birmingham were not prepared to extend the loan.[19]

West Bromwich Albion's goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould, who formerly coached at Wellington Phoenix, had recommended Jones to the New Zealand-based A-League club before his move to Birmingham, but at the time they had no vacancy for a foreign player. In January 2016, they renewed their interest, and Jones signed on loan to the end of the 2015–16 season.[20] Birmingham's development coach Richard Beale said the player would benefit from playing regular senior football, and that he deserved his chance because of his professionalism and positive attitude despite not being able to force his way into Birmingham's first team.[21] The move fell through when New Zealand Football failed to forward the completed paperwork to FIFA before the transfer deadline despite having received it from the Phoenix three days previously.[22] An appeal to the world governing body was unsuccessful, as FIFA "ruled to protect the integrity of their global deadlines for the transfer of players".[23] He remained with Birmingham and was a member of the reserve team that lost the 2016 Birmingham Senior Cup final to National League North champions Solihull Moors.[24]

Port Vale (loan)

Jones joined League One club Port Vale on a five-month loan deal in August 2016.[25] He remained eligible to play in non-first team fixtures for Birmingham City during the loan spell.[26] He made his Football League debut at Vale Park on 16 August, as an 84th-minute substitute for Anton Forrester in a 1–0 win over Rochdale; he won a penalty within two minutes of coming onto the field, though JJ Hooper missed the ensuing penalty, and Jones also had a shot blocked by the last defender after running past goalkeeper Josh Lillis deep into stoppage time.[5][27][28] On 27 August, he scored twice to help the "Valiants" record a 3–1 victory over Scunthorpe United despite being played at wide right of the front three.[29] Manager Bruno Ribeiro praised him after the match, saying that "he was fantastic. He scored two goals and worked hard. ... He is one more option for a winger".[30] His performance won him a place on the Football League Paper's League One Team of the Day.[31] Jones said that he enjoyed playing out of position at right-wing for Port Vale as Ribeiro allowed him a free creative role with few defensive duties, and he also admitted he hoped to extend the loan as he did not suit the style of play at his parent club.[32] He was nominated for the League One Player of the Month award for August and September after scoring six goals in eight games.[33] By the end of his loan spell, Jones had scored ten goals from 21 matches. Port Vale had hoped to convert the loan to a permanent deal, and according to club chairman Norman Smurthwaite, had agreed a fee with Birmingham but were unable to agree terms with the player's agent.[34]

Bradford City

On 5 January 2017, Jones signed for another League One club, Bradford City, on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[35] After spending five weeks out with a hip injury, he recorded his first goal for Bradford after coming on as a substitute to score the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over former club Port Vale at Vale Park on 25 February.[36] He scored five goals in 15 league games for the "Bantams" in the second half of the 2016–17 season, and also appeared as a 74th-minute substitute for Billy Clarke in the play-off final defeat to Millwall at Wembley Stadium.[37]

Jones opened the 2017–18 campaign with five goals in 11 games before damaging his ankle in a 1–0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle at Valley Parade on 11 November; he was forced to undergo surgery and was subsequently ruled out of action for four months.[38] He went on to miss almost an entire year with injuries, during which time the club cycled through three managers after Stuart McCall's departure, and Jones admitted that he had hardly even spoke to Simon Grayson, McCall's initial replacement.[39] Finding himself out of then-incumbent David Hopkin's first-team plans, on 25 January 2019, Jones moved to League Two club Cambridge United on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[40] He stated that his aim at the Abbey Stadium was simply "to gain plenty of match minutes under the belt".[41] In May 2019, following Bradford City's relegation to League Two, it was announced that he would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract on 30 June 2019, one of 11 players to be released.[42]

Partick Thistle

On 13 July 2019, Jones signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle, becoming "Jags" manager Gary Caldwell's eighth summer signing.[43] After a three-month spell out injured Jones returned to the Thistle team to start in a 2–1 win over Queen of the South on 7 December.[44] The following week he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[45] He scored two goals in 17 games in the 2019–20 season, which ended in relegation when the season was declared early with nine games left to play due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.[46] Jones left Thistle at the expiry of his contract in July 2020.[47]

Style of play

Jones has excellent finishing skills, and scored his first nine goals for Port Vale from just 19 shots.[48]

Career statistics
As of match played 10 March 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Birmingham City 2015–16[49] Championship00—00—00
2016–17[50] Championship00—00—00
Total 00—00—00
Grimsby Town (loan) 2015–16[2] National League4010—1[lower-alpha 3]060
Port Vale (loan) 2016–17[50] League One19911001[lower-alpha 4]02110
Bradford City 2016–17[50] League One155——1[lower-alpha 5]0165
2017–18[51] League One7011112[lower-alpha 4]3115
2018–19[52] League One2000001[lower-alpha 4]030
Total 2451111433010
Cambridge United 2018–19[52] League Two121———121
Partick Thistle 2019–20[53] Scottish Championship12200401[lower-alpha 6]0172
Career total 71173251738623
  1. Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. Appearance in FA Trophy
  4. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  5. Appearance in League One play-offs
  6. Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup

References
  1. "EFL Club list of registered players" (PDF). EFL. 20 May 2017. p. 45. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  2. "A. Jones". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  3. "Grimsby Town". FootballSquads.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  4. "Academy Player Profiles 2011/12". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016. Goalscorer, shows good movement and he has combined very well with Joel Ambalu over a number of years. Member of the 2009 Nike Cup-winning side.
  5. Baggaley, Mike (19 August 2016). "Port Vale: Alex Jones keen to build on great first impression". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  6. "West Bromwich Albion crowned UK Champions". ManchesterUnitedPremierCup.com. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009.
  7. "Rose earns first pro deal". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  8. "Stourbridge 1 Albion 2". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  9. "Albion 2 Tamworth 1 in Birmingham Senior Cup final". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 29 April 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  10. "West Brom tie down academy stars on professional deals". Express & Star. Wolverhampton. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  11. "Albion XI fall to friendly defeat". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  12. "Jones bags brace in Under-21 win". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  13. "Under-21s held at Derby". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  14. Dick, Brian (24 May 2015). "New Birmingham City arrival calls for Premier League clubs to offer more youngsters first-team football". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  15. Dick, Brian (16 April 2015). "Birmingham City offer trial to West Bromwich Albion youngster". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  16. "Blues sign former West Brom youngster". Birmingham City F.C. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  17. "Alex Jones makes Mariners loan move". Birmingham City F.C. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  18. "Grimsby Town loan signing Alex Jones out to prove himself". Grimsby Telegraph. 12 November 2015. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  19. "On-loan Grimsby Town striker Alex Jones recalled by Birmingham City". Grimsby Telegraph. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  20. Gray, Russell (31 January 2016). "Phoenix sign striker on loan deal". wellingtonphoenix.com. Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  21. Dick, Brian (2 February 2016). "Birmingham City assure New Zealand-bound Alex Jones his progress will be closely monitored". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  22. Pine, Jason (11 February 2016). "Football: Paperwork blunder puts English striker Alex Jones' Phoenix career in doubt". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  23. Hyslop, Liam & Wilson, Clay (16 February 2016). "Alex Jones' stint with the Phoenix ends without a game as NZ Football blames lack of internet access for bungle". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  24. Dick, Brian (5 May 2016). "Birmingham Senior Cup final: Birmingham City U21s 1 Solihull Moors 2". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  25. Baggaley, Mike (12 August 2016). "Port Vale sign Birmingham City striker Alex Jones on loan". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  26. "Alex Jones makes Port Vale move". Birmingham City F.C. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  27. "Port Vale 1–0 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  28. Baggaley, Mike (16 August 2016). "Port Vale 1–0 Rochdale report: Nathan Smith heads Valiants to win". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  29. Baggaley, Mike (28 August 2016). "Port Vale 3, Scunthorpe 1: Star man and player ratings". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  30. Baggaley, Mike (29 August 2016). "Port Vale: Bruno Ribeiro hails 'fantastic' Alex Jones". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  31. "Alex Jones makes Football League Paper, League 1 team of the day". Port Vale Supporters Club. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  32. Baggaley, Mike (30 September 2016). "Port Vale: Alex Jones keen to stay with Valiants". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  33. Baggaley, Mike (29 September 2016). "Port Vale: Alex Jones in running for League One player award". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  34. Baggaley, Mike (4 January 2017). "Port Vale chairman reveals why Alex Jones deal broke down". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  35. "Alex Jones: Bradford City sign Birmingham City striker for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  36. Baggaley, Mike (26 February 2017). "Port Vale 1, Bradford 2: Star Man and player ratings". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  37. Hunt, Josh (20 May 2017). "Bradford City 0–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  38. Parker, Simon (5 March 2018). "Jones back in Bantams reckoning". Telegraph and Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  39. Parker, Simon (13 October 2018). "Jones happy to look to new beginnings". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  40. Parker, Simon (5 March 2018). "Bantams: Alex Jones loaned to Cambridge". Telegraph and Argus. Bradford.
  41. "Alex Jones: Cambridge United sign Bradford City striker on loan". BBC Sport. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  42. Simon Parker (7 May 2019). "Bradford City announce retained list". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  43. "Partick Thistle sign Alex Jones after striker's Bradford exit". BBC Sport. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  44. "Queen of the South 1-2 Partick Thistle: Firhill club move off bottom". BBC Sport. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  45. "Partick Thistle 3-1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Hosts pull themselves out of relegation play-off spot". BBC Sport. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  46. "Dundee Utd, Raith & Cove win titles & reconstruction talks start after Dundee vote". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  47. "Player Update – 4th July 2020". Partick Thistle FC. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  48. Earle, Robbie (17 November 2016). "Robbie Earle: Alex Jones follows some great Port Vale finishers". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  49. "Games played by Alex Jones in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  50. "Games played by Alex Jones in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  51. "Games played by Alex Jones in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  52. "Games played by Alex Jones in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  53. "Games played by Alex Jones in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.