Mark Jones (footballer, born 1984) explained

Mark Jones
Birth Date:15 August 1984
Birth Place:Wrexham, Wales
Position:Midfielder
Years1:2002–2008
Years2:2008–2009
Years3:2009–2010
Years4:2010–2017
Years5:2017–2018
Years6:2020–????
Clubs1:Wrexham
Clubs2:Rochdale
Clubs3:Wrexham
Clubs4:Bala Town
Clubs5:Airbus UK
Clubs6:Ruabon Rovers
Caps1:128
Caps2:9
Caps3:34
Caps4:188
Caps5:12
Goals1:22
Goals2:0
Goals3:4
Goals4:29
Goals5:1
Nationalyears1:2003–2006
Nationalyears2:2006–2008
Nationalteam1:Wales U21
Nationalteam2:Wales
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalgoals2:0

Mark Alan Jones (born 15 August 1984) is a Welsh retired footballer.

Club career

Wrexham

He joined Wrexham as a trainee on 1 August 2002. He made his debut on 17 September 2002 in a 4–0 win over Exeter City, but only became an established player two seasons later. He has become particularly popular at the club as one of the most talented local players, and as a scorer of some spectacular long-range goals. Despite being a midfielder, he was one of the club's most regular goalscorers, with a ratio of 0.2 goals per game as of the end of the 2005–06 season.[1]

Following Wrexham's relegation from League Two, Jones, who had already declared his intention to leave the club,[2] was released at the end of the 2007–08 season.[3]

Rochdale

After a successful trial at the club, Rochdale announced on 15 August 2008 that they were seeking international clearance to complete the signing of Jones.[4] On 14 May 2009, it was announced that Mark Jones would leave Rochdale, along with 10 other players, after making 13 appearances for the club in all competitions.[5]

Return to Wrexham

In June 2009, Jones returned to Wrexham, signing a one-year deal.[6] Placed straight into the first-team on his return, Jones scored his first goal since moving back to Wrexham in a 3–0 win over Luton Town on 22 September.[7] At the end of the year, Jones was released by Wrexham for a second time.

Bala Town

Following his release from Wrexham, Jones signed for Welsh Premier League side Bala Town. In doing so he rejected offers from other Conference National sides in order not to move away from his home and also in the hope of enjoying playing football again, stating "I'm not enjoying playing football full-time at all and have not for a few years.[...] I began playing football as a youngster for the love of it, not for money, and I want to feel that way about football again."[8]

Airbus UK Broughton

Jones left Bala in 2017, joining Airbus UK Broughton.[9] In his first season, he made twelve league appearances, scoring once.[10]

Ruabon Rovers

In 2020 he joined North East Wales League team Ruabon Rovers.[11]

International career

As well as making several appearances for Wales under-21s, he has been called up to the senior Wales squad on two occasions. He made his international debut in a friendly against Liechtenstein on 14 November 2006.

Jones was named in the Wales squad ahead of more experienced players, such as Robert Earnshaw, for games against Iceland and the Netherlands in the summer of 2008.

Statistics

Club Performance
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
AppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoalsAppGoals
Wrexham2002–031000000010
2003–04131000021151
2004–05263201071354
2005–0642131010124515
2006–07305202110356
2007–08160001000170
Subtotal128 22 5 0 5 1 11 4 149 27
Rochdale2008–0990300010130
Wrexham2009–10344200010374
Total171261005113419931

Honours

Wrexham

2004–05[12]

Individual

2005–06 Football League Two[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=33134 www.soccerbase.com – The Internet Soccer Database
  2. News: Mark Jones: Why I'm leaving Wrexham . . 18 April 2008 . 1 July 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080704195233/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/wrexham-fc/2008/04/18/mark-jones-why-i-m-leaving-wrexham-55578-20782343/ . 4 July 2008 .
  3. News: Axe falls on 14 Wrexham players . 25 April 2008. BBC Sport. 4 May 2008.
  4. News: Rochdale to finalise Jones deal . 15 August 2008. BBC Sport. 15 August 2008.
  5. Web site: Rochdale tell 10 they can leave . . 10 May 2009 . 23 June 2009.
  6. Web site: Mark completes Racecourse return . wrexhamafc.co.uk . 12 June 2009 . 23 June 2009.
  7. Web site: Wrexham 3–0 Luton . . 22 September 2009 . 9 October 2009.
  8. News: Ex-Wales midfielder Mark Jones set for Welsh Prem move . . 30 June 2010 . 1 July 2010.
  9. Web site: Mark Jones signs for the Wingmakers . welsh-premier.com . 7 August 2017 . 7 August 2017.
  10. Web site: Cymru Alliance appearances 2017–18 . Airbus UK Broughton F.C. . 23 May 2018.
  11. https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/player.php?id=244
  12. Web site: Southend 0–2 Wrexham . BBC. 10 April 2005 . 1 August 2019.
  13. News: Gerrard named player of the year . BBC Sport . 23 April 2006 . 13 January 2022.
  14. Web site: Player of the Season . Welsh Premier League . 6 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024308/http://www.wpl.cymru/PlayeroftheSeason . 20 June 2018 . dead .
  15. 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 .
  16. 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 .
  17. Web site: Dream team 2012/13 . welsh-premier.com . 5 June 2018 .