Craig Jones (footballer, born 1987) explained

Craig Jones
Fullname:Craig Stephen Jones
Birth Date:20 March 1987
Birth Place:Chester, England
Position:Right wing, Right back
Years1:2004–2005
Caps1:55
Goals1:9
Years2:2005–2007
Clubs2:Aberystwyth Town
Caps2:32
Goals2:11
Years3:2007–2009
Clubs3:Rhyl
Caps3:74
Goals3:14
Years4:2009–2012
Clubs4:The New Saints
Caps4:111
Goals4:25
Years5:2012–2018
Clubs5:Bury
Caps5:158
Goals5:9
Years6:2018
Caps6:4
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2007–2010
Nationalteam1:Wales under-23 semi-pro
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2008–2012
Nationalteam2:Wales semi-professional
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:3
Club-Update:17:46, 7 December 2018 (UTC)

Craig Jones (born 20 March 1987) is retired footballer who played as a midfielder. Previously, he was club captain at Bury. He is a three times Welsh Premier League champion. He previously played for Welsh clubs Airbus UK Broughton, Aberystwyth Town, Rhyl, TNS and Connah's Quay.

Club career

Jones' career started with Airbus UK Broughton and Aberystwyth Town. He joined Rhyl in the May 2007,[1] winning a Welsh Premier League championship medal with the club and representing them in Europe. He then joined The New Saints in May 2009.[2] He played for the club in qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League, against clubs such as Helsingborg,[3] Anderlecht, and Bohemians scoring in both home legs against the Belgian and Irish champions. In July 2012, he played his final matches for The New Saints playing a significant role in both legs of the second-round qualifying matches of the UEFA Champions League against Swedish Treble-winning side (comprising Super Cup, League and Swedish Cup titles) Helsingborg. In total he scored 25 goals in 111 appearances for the club.[4]

In January 2012 he went on trial with Leeds United for seven days.[5] After attracting interest from several English League and European Clubs, Jones signed a two-year deal with League One club Bury in August 2012, after Bury paid out an undisclosed fee for his services from TNS.[6]

He was released by Bury at the end of the 2017–18 season.[7]

In August 2018, Jones returned to the Welsh Premier League signing for Connah's Quay Nomads.[8] Jones made six appearances in all competitions for the Nomads, including playing in a Scottish Challenge Cup victory over Falkirk where he assisted the winning goal. He departed the club three months later after struggling to attain the required level of fitness.[9]

International career

Jones won 9 caps for Wales at the semi-pro under-23 level, and captained the side once. He was selected for the senior semi-pro team for the 2008 Four Nations, scoring a hat-trick against Gibraltar.[10]

Personal life

His father Brynley was also a professional football player, having played for Chester City in the Football League, as well as Bangor City and Oswestry Town.[11]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bury2013–14League Two371202000411
2014–1540320001[12] 0433
2015–16League One363311020424
2016–1713000101[13] 0150
2017–183000100040
Bury total12977150401458
Career total12977150401458

Honours

with Rhyl
with The New Saints

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Craig Jones Signs For Rhyl. Aberystwyth Town. 15 January 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071011200144/http://atfc.org.uk/archivefiles/07may.htm. 11 October 2007.
  2. Web site: Rhyl wingman joins the Saints . https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20091027060624/http://www.saints-alive.co.uk/index.php/news/173-rhyl-wingman-joins-the-saints . dead . 27 October 2009 . The New Saints . 15 January 2012 .
  3. News: Champions League: Helsingborg 3–0 The New Saints. 23 August 2012. BBC Sport. 25 July 2012.
  4. News: Bury deal for The New Saints' Craig Jones. 23 August 2012. Shropshire Star. 9 August 2012.
  5. Web site: Saints' wingman Jones in Leeds United trial . Welsh Premier League . 15 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140114123955/http://www.welsh-premier.com/index.php/headline-news/4249-saints-wingman-jones-in-leeds-united-trial . 14 January 2014 . dead .
  6. News: Bury complete signings of Craig Jones and Mark Cullen. 23 August 2012. BBC Sport. 7 August 2012.
  7. Web site: Neil Danns: Bury offer new contract to veteran midfielder. 11 May 2018. 11 May 2018. BBC Sport.
  8. Web site: Nomads sign former Bury FC captain Craig Jones.
  9. Web site: Connah's Quay Nomads confirm the departure of Craig Jones.
  10. Web site: Hat-Trick for Belle Vue Boy as Wales beat Gibraltar. welshpremier.co.uk . 15 January 2012.
  11. News: Following in Brynley's footsteps . Chester Chronicle . 16 November 2007. 15 January 2012.
  12. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  13. Appearance in the EFL Trophy
  14. Web site: People A to Z . welsh-premier.com . 7 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140848/https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/people/players-a-to-z . 12 June 2018 . dead .
  15. Web site: Dream team 2008/09 . welsh-premier.com . 6 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145447/https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/dream-team-2008-9 . 12 June 2018 . dead .
  16. Web site: Dream team 2009/10 . welsh-premier.com . 6 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145441/https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/dream-team-2009-10 . 12 June 2018 . dead .
  17. Web site: Dream team 2010/11 . welsh-premier.com . 3 June 2018 . 5 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143645/https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/dream-team-2010-11 . 12 June 2018 . dead .
  18. Web site: Dream team 2011/12 . welsh-premier.com . 5 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612153445/https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/dream-team-2011-12 . 12 June 2018 . dead .