Paul Jones
Jones playing for Peterborough United in 2011
Personal information
Full name Paul Jones[1]
Date of birth (1986-06-28) 28 June 1986 (age 37)[1]
Place of birth Maidstone, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 King's Lynn Town
Number 1
Youth career
2001–2002 Charlton Athletic
2002–2004 Leyton Orient
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 Leyton Orient 0 (0)
2004–2005 → Exeter City (loan) 23 (0)
2005–2011 Exeter City 158 (0)
2011 → Peterborough United (loan) 1 (0)
2011–2012 Peterborough United 35 (0)
2012–2014 Crawley Town 92 (0)
2014–2016 Portsmouth 55 (0)
2016 → Crawley Town (loan) 8 (0)
2016–2018 Norwich City 0 (0)
2018 → Exeter City (loan) 0 (0)
2018–2019 Fleetwood Town 0 (0)
2019–2020 Sheffield Wednesday 0 (0)
2021– King's Lynn Town 107 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 February 2024 (UTC)

Paul Jones (born 28 June 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays for King's Lynn Town as a goalkeeper.

Career

Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient Youth

Born in Maidstone, Kent,[1] Jones began his career with the youth system of Charlton Athletic in 2001 before signing for Leyton Orient's youth system in 2002.[2] Despite never breaking into their first team, Jones was thought highly of by then youth coach Alex Inglethorpe.

Exeter City

When Alex Inglethorpe was appointed manager of Conference side Exeter City in Autumn 2004, one of his first moves was to bring Paul Jones in on loan. Arriving part way through the 2004–05 season, Jones quickly established himself as City's first choice keeper, making 23 appearances. In January 2005 he played in Exeter's memorable 0–0 draw at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.[3] On 1 July 2005, Inglethorpe acquired Jones from Orient, and signed him to a permanent deal. At the end of the 2005–06 season, Inglethorpe left Exeter and was replaced by new manager Paul Tisdale. During the pre-season, Jones was forced to compete for his spot with then backup keeper, and former Exeter youth trainee Martin Rice. Days prior to Exeter's first match of the season, Tisdale selected Rice as his first choice keeper. Jones then became Exeter's second choice keeper. He returned to the first-team for the 2007 Conference playoff final, in which he saved a penalty – becoming the first person to do so at the new Wembley Stadium. Exeter failed to win the final though and during the next season, Jones figured mostly as an understudy to Rice's replacement Andy Marriott. He was chosen in the first team again for the play-offs and this time, Exeter managed to win the final at Wembley, with Jones keeping a clean sheet. In the 2008–09 season he played in all 46 League Two matches for Exeter City. Also he won the 2008–09 player of the season award for Exeter City after many stunning performances in goal throughout the season.

Peterborough United

On 31 January 2011 Jones joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the 2010–11.season.[4] He made the move permanent by signing an initial one-year contract on 24 June 2011 to join on a free transfer. He found himself picked as first choice keeper for the majority of the season, as a result Peterborough offered him a new contract but he rejected it.[5]

Crawley Town

On 26 May 2012, it was confirmed that Jones had signed for newly promoted League One side Crawley Town. He made his debut on 14 August, starting in a League Cup match against Championship side Millwall which ended 2–2, with Crawley winning on penalties by 4–1, and Jones saving two penalties in the shoot-out.[6] After two seasons in League One with Crawley, he was released by at the end of the 2013–14 season.[7] He made 92 league appearances in a Red Devils shirt

Portsmouth

In June 2014 Jones signed for League Two club Portsmouth on a three-year deal.[8] He was manager Andy Awford's first signing as Pompey boss and was the only keeper at Fratton Park when joining, after Trevor Carson's loan expired, whilst both John Sullivan and Phil Smith were released.

On 1 February 2016, Jones re-joined Crawley Town on a 28-day loan.[9]

Norwich City

On 4 July 2016, Jones signed for Norwich City on a two-year deal as goalkeeping cover.[10] Jones made his first appearance for the Canaries in the 6–1 EFL Cup win over Coventry City.[11] However, with him being third choice goalkeeper behind John Ruddy and Michael McGovern, and later Angus Gunn, this would be his only first team appearance for Norwich. In January 2018, he was loaned to Exeter City for the remainder of the season,[12] but again was merely cover for Christy Pym and made no first team appearances.

Fleetwood Town

On 2 August 2018, Jones signed for Fleetwood Town on a one-year deal.[13]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 6 August 2019, Jones signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer.[14]

On the 24 June 2020, he signed a one-month extension to cover the rest of the 2019/20 season which was delayed due to the coronavirus.[15]

King's Lynn Town

On 1 June 2021, Jones joined National League side King's Lynn Town on a free transfer, linking up with his former Leyton Orient youth-team manager Ian Culverhouse.[16]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 25 February 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leyton Orient 2004–05[17] League Two 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exeter City (loan) 2004–05[17] Conference 23 0 2 0 — 1[a] 0 26 0
Exeter City 2005–06[18] Conference 37 0 1 0 — 2[a] 0 40 0
2006–07[19] Conference 22 0 1 0 — 1[a] 0 24 0
2007–08[20] Conference 9 0 1 0 — 3[a][b] 0 13 0
2008–09[21] League Two 46 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 47 0
2009–10[22] League One 26 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 27 0
2010–11[23] League One 18 0 0 0 1 0 3[c] 0 22 0
Total 158 0 4 0 2 0 9 0 173 0
Peterborough United (loan) 2010–11[23] League One 4 0 — — — 4 0
Peterborough United 2011–12[24] Championship 35 0 0 0 2 0 — 37 0
Crawley Town 2012–13[25] League One 46 0 3 0 3 0 2[c] 0 54 0
2013–14[26] League One 46 0 3 0 1 0 1[c] 0 51 0
Total 92 0 6 0 4 0 3 0 105 0
Portsmouth 2014–15[27] League Two 46 0 2 0 2 0 2[c] 0 52 0
2015–16[28] League Two 9 0 0 0 2 0 1[c] 0 12 0
Total 55 0 2 0 4 0 3 0 64 0
Crawley Town (loan) 2015–16[28] League Two 8 0 0 0 — — 8 0
Norwich City 2016–17[29] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
2017–18[30] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Exeter City (loan) 2017–18[30] League Two 0 0 — — — 0 0
Fleetwood Town 2018–19[31] League Two 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0
Total 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0
Sheffield Wednesday 2019–20[32] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
King's Lynn Town 2021–22[33] National League 44 0 1 0 — 2[a] 0 47 0
2022–23[34] National League North 32 0 2 0 — 1[a] 0 35 0
Total 76 0 3 0 — 3 0 82 0
Career totals 450 0 17 0 14 0 21 0 502 0
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearance in FA Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in Conference Play-off
  3. ^ a b c d e Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 226. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ "Career History". UpThePosh!. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  3. ^ "Man Utd 0-0 Exeter". BBC. 8 January 2005. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Peterborough United sign Exeter's Paul Jones on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  5. ^ "Jones rejects Posh offer". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  6. ^ "Millwall 2–2 Crawley (1–4 pens)". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Crawley Town: Paul Jones among 11 released by League One club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  8. ^ Weld, Neil (4 June 2014). "Jones pens Pompey deal". Portsmouth F.C. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Look who's back!". Crawley Town FC. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  10. ^ Davitt, Paddy (4 August 2016). "Norwich City complete a double swoop for Alex Pritchard and Paul Jones".
  11. ^ "Norwich City 6-1 Coventry City". BBC Sport. 23 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Paul Jones signs loan deal at Exeter City". exetercityfc.co.uk. 4 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Paul Jones: Fleetwood Town sign former Exeter and Portsmouth goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Paul Jones signs for Wednesday".
  15. ^ "Owls 2019/20 player update". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Linnets announce goalkeeper signing". www.kltown.co.uk. 1 June 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Games played by Paul Jones in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  18. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  19. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  23. ^ a b "Games played by Paul Jones in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  24. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  27. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Games played by Paul Jones in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  29. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Games played by Paul Jones in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  31. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  32. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  33. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  34. ^ "Games played by Paul Jones in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2022.

External links

Exeter City F.C. Player of the Year
King's Lynn Town F.C. – current squad
Categories