Steve Jones (Northern Irish footballer)

::"For the former West Ham and Charlton player. see Steve Jones (English footballer).Football player infobox
playername = Steve Jones


fullname = Stephen Graham Jones
nickname = Jonah, Chesney, Sonic the Hedgehog
height = height|ft=5|in=10
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1976|10|25 |
cityofbirth = Derry
countryofbirth = Northern Ireland
currentclub = Burnley
clubnumber = 14
position = Attacking Midfielder/Striker
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1995–1996
1996–1997
1997–1999
1999
1999–2001
2001–2006
2002
2006–
2008
clubs = Blackpool
Bury
Sligo Rovers
Bray Wanderers
Leigh RMI
Crewe Alexandra
→ Rochdale (loan)
Burnley
→ Crewe Alexandra (loan)
caps(goals) = 000 0(0)
000 0(0)
046 0(6)
003 0(0)
082 (37)
158 (39)
009 0(1)
058 0(6)
004 0(1)
nationalyears = 2004–
nationalteam = Northern Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 029 0(1)
pcupdate = August 22, 2008
ntupdate = August 22, 2008

Steve Graham Jones (born October 25, 1976 in Derry, Northern Ireland) is a Northern Irish professional football player, currently with Burnley.

History

Early career

Jones, an Everton fan, was working at Plumb centre in Oldham when he played for Chadderton, Jones had been a very promising footballer but at 16 he was still growing and is one of a number of players overlooked at that time by Bury. He was spotted in a tournament by a well connected ex-footballer who passed his feelings over to Blackpool via the scouting network. Jones was thusly on the books of Blackpool, and later played for Football League of Ireland sides Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers.

Jones moved to England to play for Chorley before joing Leigh RMI, where he scored 43 goals in just over 100 games. Jones "proved to be something of a sensation for them in the Conference."cite web
last = Harris
first = Martin
coauthors =
title = Squad Profiles - Steve Jones
work =
pages =
language =
publisher = Irish Football Association, Northern Ireland
date =
url = http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/123/senior/steve-jones-forward/
accessdate = 2007-10-08 ]

Crewe Alexandra

Having been watched several times by Crewe assistant manager Neil Baker, Jones was finally persuaded to sign for Crewe in time for the 2001/02 campaign. Crewe Alexandra signed Jones from Leigh RMI for £75,000 in 2001.

Although Jones made his debut in August 2001 against Manchester City, he only made six appearances in his first season at Crewe. He spent the latter part of the year on loan with Rochdale gaining more first team experience.

Following Crewe's relegation to the Second Division though, Jones' career sprang into life. He scored his first two goals for the club against QPR in October 2002. He went on to finish with 11 goals that season as Crewe won promotion. The following season in the First Division, he scored 16 goals and won the Crewe supporters' 'Player of the Year' award. In the 2004-05 season he scored 13 goals.

A pacy forward, Jones can also play on either wing and his versatility was a useful asset to manager Dario Gradi's squad. He has won a number of Northern Ireland caps, having scored his first goal against St. Kitts and Nevis in 2004.

At the end of the 2005-06 season, Jones confirmed he would be leaving Crewe once his contract had expired in July 2006. He told the club's official website: "I've had five great years here and I cannot thank the club, the fans and the staff for all they have done for me. Crewe will always hold a special place in my heart because they gave me a chance to play in the Football League again and go on to play for Northern Ireland."Fact|date=February 2007

He finished the season with having the most assists in the team, with twelve in total, and four goals, which he admitted to be a disappointing record by his own standards.Fact|date=February 2007

Burnley

On 3 May, 2006, he joined 'The Clarets' on a free transfer, agreeing a three-year deal at Turf Moor due to expire at the end of the 2008/09 season.

Jones scored twice in the first game of the 2006/07 season on his competitive debut for Burnley and immediately became a first-team regular, albeit playing in a slightly unfamiliar position on the left side of attack. He became less assured of a starting place as the season progressed and he began the 2007-08 season as a substitute or squad player.

Crewe Alexandra (Loan)

After failing to impress in recent weeks, Jones returned to former club Crewe Alexandra on March 27, 2008, on loan for the remainder of The Railwaymen's League 1 Season. The forward was linked to a move back to Gresty Road in the January Transfer Window, but the move fell through due to Jones' knee injury.

International goals

:"Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first."

References

External links

* [http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10413~15158,00.html Steve Jones profile] at burnleyfootballclub.com
* [http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10414~15158,00.html Steve Jones profile] at crewealex.co.uk
* [http://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10441~15158,00.html Steve Jones profile] at rochdaleafc.co.uk
*soccerbase|id=9822|name=Steve Jones
* [http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/123/senior/steve-jones-forward/ Profile] at [http://www.irishfa.com/ Northern Ireland F.A. website]

Persondata
NAME = Steve Graham Jones
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Steve Jones
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Football Winger, Striker
DATE OF BIRTH = October 25, 1976
PLACE OF BIRTH = Derry, Ulster
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =