Dan Jones
Jones pictured in August 2022
Personal information
Full name Daniel John Jones[1]
Date of birth (1994-12-14) 14 December 1994[2]
Place of birth Bishop Auckland, England[3]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[4]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Port Vale
Number 3
Youth career
Sunderland
000–2013 Hartlepool United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Hartlepool United 37 (0)
2016–2017 Grimsby Town 3 (0)
2016 → Gateshead (loan) 3 (0)
2017 → AFC Fylde (loan) 5 (0)
2017–2019 Barrow 74 (4)
2019–2021 Salford City 3 (0)
2020 → Barrow (loan) 4 (0)
2020–2021 → Harrogate Town (loan) 21 (1)
2021– Port Vale 51 (0)
International career
2018 England C 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:57, 19 August 2023 (UTC)

Daniel John Jones (born 14 December 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Port Vale. His preferred position is at centre-back, though he is able to play at left-back, and he is also a skilled throw-in taker.

Jones started his career in Hartlepool United's youth system, signing his first professional contract in 2013. Having been released by the club in 2016, Jones signed for League Two club Grimsby Town, with loan spells at Gateshead and AFC Fylde during the 2016–17 season. He joined Barrow in 2017 and was a first-team regular for two seasons, winning two caps for the England C team, before he joined Salford City on a two-year contract in June 2019. He spent the second half of the 2019–20 season on loan at former club Barrow, which would end in them winning promotion as champions of the National League. He was loaned to Harrogate Town the following season and played in the 2020 FA Trophy final victory over Concord Rangers. He joined Port Vale after being released from Salford at the end of the 2020–21 season.

Club career

Hartlepool United

Dan Jones was born on 14 December 1994 in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.[3] He spent four years in the academy at Sunderland, before he started his career in Hartlepool United's youth system and established himself in the youth team in the 2012–13 season.[5][6] He was offered his first professional contract in April 2013.[7] Jones's progress was hampered after a knee injury in October 2013 which saw him ruled out for two months with a meniscus tear.[8] He made his first-team debut at Hartlepool's Victoria Park on 25 March 2014, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute in a 4–2 defeat to Mansfield Town.[9] He signed a new contract of undisclosed length with Hartlepool two months later.[10]

Having failed to play again under Colin Cooper's stewardship, Jones came into first-team contention during Sam Collins's caretaker spell.[11] On 7 October 2014, he made his first start in a 2–1 home defeat to Sheffield United in the Football League Trophy.[12] He was initially dropped to the bench by new permanent manager Paul Murray, who lasted six weeks in the role, before Jones established himself in defence following the appointment of Ronnie Moore in December.[13][14] He went on to start 23 League Two games primarily as a left-sided centre-half in the 2014–15 campaign, helping United to avoid relegation out of the Football League, and signed another new contract of undisclosed length in the summer.[14][15][16] He made 12 appearances in the 2015–16 season.[17] On 10 May 2016, Jones was released by Hartlepool; manager Craig Hignett said that "It might be the best thing that’s happened to him because Dan has got everything, but, for one reason or another, it hasn’t really clicked for him".[18][19]

Grimsby Town

Jones signed a one-year contract with newly-promoted League Two club Grimsby Town on 24 June 2016.[20] According to the Grimsby Telegraph, manager Paul Hurst saw him as "one for the future upon his arrival at Blundell Park".[21] He joined National League club Gateshead on a one-month loan on 7 October 2016.[22] Jones featured in three league games at the Gateshead International Stadium, but "Tynesiders" boss Neil Aspin said that "if Grimsby decide to loan him out again then he will be somebody we consider".[23] Jones instead joined National League North leaders AFC Fylde on a one-month loan, starting on 10 February 2017.[24] Dave Challinor, manager of the "Coasters", tried to extend the loan to keep Jones at Mill Farm, but his request was denied by Grimsby.[25] Upon returning to Grimsby, new manager Marcus Bignot said that "Dan is back with us now and is going to be important for us moving forward".[26] However, Bignot was sacked three weeks later and, having made five appearances for Grimsby in the 2016–17 season,[27] Jones was released by new manager Russell Slade in May 2017.[28][29]

Barrow

On 22 June 2017, Jones signed a one-year contract, with the option of another year, at National League club Barrow.[30] Speaking six days later, manager Paul Cox said that he had missed out on a number of other targets and that the transfer market was “the hardest in a number of years”.[31] Jones scored his first career goal on his Barrow debut in a 2–1 defeat away to Dagenham & Redbridge on 5 August.[16] It proved to be a difficult campaign however, with Cox leaving the club in August, and his replacement – Micky Moore – was sacked after three months despite being publicly backed in the media by Jones.[32] Jones missed a month of action with a knee injury, but the North-West Evening Mail reported that he had impressed new manager Adrian Pennock with his work rate on the sidelines.[33] He ended the 2017–18 season with three goals in 35 appearances as the Barrow finished one points above the relegation zone.[16] The following season Jones was named in the National League Team of the Year for the 2018–19 season despite Barrow finishing in tenth-place.[34]

Salford City

On 5 June 2019, Jones joined newly promoted League Two club Salford City on a two-year contract.[35] However, he struggled to break into Graham Alexander's first-team plans, with Ibou Touray preferred at left-back, and was limited to three league games.[36][37] On 10 February 2020, he rejoined Barrow on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[38] Barrow manager Ian Evatt stated that Jones would provide fresh competition for a team aiming to win the league and that he would provide cover for the centre-back position with Josh Granite out injured.[39] He was limited to four appearances during his second spell at Holker Street however, as due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England the season was curtailed on 16 March, and Barrow were promoted as league winners on a points-per-game basis.[40]

He joined fellow League Two side Harrogate Town on a season-long loan in September 2020.[41] He scored his first goal for Harrogate in an EFL Trophy tie against Leicester City U21s on 6 October.[42] However, he missed three months after picking up a groin injury in training towards the end of November.[43] He scored his first Football League goal on 13 April, in a 2–2 draw with Leyton Orient at Wetherby Road, and was praised by manager Simon Weaver after the game.[44] He played for Harrogate at Wembley Stadium in the 2020 FA Trophy final, which had been delayed from the previous season due to the pandemic; Harrogate won the game 1–0, though Jones was substituted on 62 minutes after being shown a yellow card.[45] Jones did not play a first-team game for Salford during the 2020–21 season and left Moor Lane after not being offered a new contract by new manager Gary Bowyer.[46]

Jones playing for Port Vale (August 2022)

Port Vale

On 10 June 2021, he reached an agreement to join League Two club Port Vale on a two-year contract, with manager Darrell Clarke commenting that "I've always liked Dan to be honest ... he'll give us options in a number of positions defensively".[47] He played at left-back, right-back and centre-back in the opening three games of the 2021–22 season.[48] He played the first 21 league games of the season before being suspended for three games after picking up a straight red card for a foul on Oli Cooper in a 2–1 defeat at Newport County on 11 December.[49][50] He was then sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up in training and featured for just 27 minutes in the second half of the campaign as the team secured promotion out of the play-offs.[51][52]

Jones made his first league start of 2022 and his first ever game at League One level in September, having rebuilt his fitness during the 2022–23 pre-season.[53] He replaced Connor Hall at centre-back follow a loss in form for Hall, though Jones dropped back to the bench the following month.[54] He played across the back five as the season progressed, winning the supporters' Player of the Match award playing in the centre of the back three in a 1–0 home win over Charlton Athletic on 19 November.[55] He went on to be named as the club's Player of the Month in a fan vote.[56] He picked up an ankle injury in February, which required surgery and saw him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.[57] Clarke praised Jones for his 30 appearances throughout the season, saying he had been a "model of consistency".[58] Jones signed a new two-year deal in May 2023; David Flitcroft, the club's director of football, said that "all his stats and data are on an upward trajectory... he is one of the top performers physically".[59] Jones stated that new manager Andy Crosby's accessibility and knowledge were key factors in his decision to sign a new deal.[60]

Jones was absent for much of the start of the 2023–24 season after suffering with illness and issues with his glutes.[61] He then was further sidelined with an ankle injury.[62]

International career

Jones was called up to an England C training camp in September 2017.[63] He made his debut on 20 March 2018 when starting a 3–2 away win over Wales in a friendly.[64] On 20 March 2019, Jones played in the reverse fixture for England, which ended in a 2–2 draw.[65]

Style of play

Jones is a defender who plays primarily at centre-back, though is able to play at left-back.[66][67] He has the ability to play out from the back and make diagonal passes to switch the play by passing the ball into a different zone of the pitch.[68] He is also an accomplished throw-in taker, having been a javelin thrower at school.[47][48]

Personal life

His son, Theo John Jones, was born to his partner Scarlett in December 2022.[56]

Career statistics

As of match played 26 September 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hartlepool United 2013–14[9] League Two 1000000010
2014–15[12] League Two 25020001[lower-alpha 1]0280
2015–16[17] League Two 11000001[lower-alpha 1]0120
Total 370200020410
Grimsby Town 2016–17[27] League Two3000002[lower-alpha 1]050
Gateshead (loan) 2016–17[16] National League 3020—0050
AFC Fylde (loan) 2016–17[16] National League North 5000—0050
Barrow 2017–18[16] National League 33300—2[lower-alpha 2]0353
2018–19[16] National League 41110—1[lower-alpha 2]0431
Total 744100030784
Salford City 2019–20[69] League Two 3000003[lower-alpha 1]060
2020–21[70] League Two 0000000000
Total 3000003060
Barrow (loan) 2019–20[16] National League 4000000040
Harrogate Town (loan) 2019–20[16][lower-alpha 3] — ———1[lower-alpha 2]010
2020–21[70] League Two 21110102[lower-alpha 1]1252
Port Vale 2021–22[52] League Two 22020101[lower-alpha 1]0260
2022–23[71] League One 25010103[lower-alpha 1]0300
2023–24[72] League One 4000100050
Total 510303040610
Career total 201590401712316
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 3 Appearances in FA Trophy
  3. ↑ The 2019–20 FA Trophy was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing Harrogate to play it in during the 2020–21 season, the match counting as an appearance in the 2019–20 season

Honours

Individual

Barrow

Harrogate Town

References

  1. ↑ "List of players given a free transfer: Grimsby Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 104. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Dan Jones". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Dan Jones". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Dan Jones". Barrow A.F.C. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Loan ranger Jones rides to Coasters' rescue". Blackpool Gazette. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  6. ↑ "Dan Jones". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Pools offer contract to Jones". Hartlepool United F.C. 19 April 2013. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "Injury blow for Pools youngster". EatSleepSport. FirstRival Publishing. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Games played by Dan Jones in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  10. ↑ "Dan Jones extends Hartlepool United contract". BBC Sport. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  11. ↑ Loughlin, Nick (11 October 2014). "Match report: Exeter City 1 Hartlepool United 2". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Games played by Dan Jones in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  13. ↑ "TEAM NEWS: Paul Murray names first Pools team at Cambridge United v Hartlepool United". Sunderland Echo. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  14. 1 2 "Jones rewarded by Hartlepool". Sky Sports. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  15. ↑ "Dan's The Man – Defender Arrives At BP". www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "D. Jones: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  17. 1 2 "Games played by Dan Jones in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  18. ↑ Loughlin, Nick (11 May 2016). "Dan Jones exits Hartlepool United as Craig Hignett clears the decks". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  19. ↑ "Craig Hignett won't wait forever on Hartlepool United out-of-contract stars". Hartlepool Mail. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  20. ↑ "Grimsby Town: Defender Dan Jones and forward Ashley Chambers join League two side". BBC Sport. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  21. ↑ "Hurst's 2016/17 signings part two: Where are they now?". GrimsbyLive. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  22. ↑ "Dan Jones: Grimsby defender joins Gateshead for a month". BBC Sport. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  23. ↑ Bowron, Jeff (6 November 2016). "Gateshead boss Neil Aspin keen to keep midfielder at the International Stadium". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  24. ↑ Wood, Liam (10 February 2017). "Grimsby Town defender Dan Jones signs for National League North side on loan". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  25. ↑ "Fylde future in the balance for defender Jones". Lytham St Annes Express. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  26. ↑ "Dan Back With Town". www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  27. 1 2 "Games played by Dan Jones in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  28. ↑ "Marcus Bignot: Grimsby Town sack manager after five months in job". BBC Sport. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  29. ↑ "Retained list announced". Grimsby Town F.C. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  30. ↑ Turner, Paul (22 June 2017). "Barrow AFC land League Two full-back". The Mail. Barrow-in-Furness. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  31. ↑ "National League will be even tougher, says Barrow boss Paul Cox as competition increases over signings". The Non-League Football Paper. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  32. ↑ Elliott, Sam (29 September 2017). "Barrow left-back Dan Jones believes it's a matter of time before things turn around for the club". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  33. ↑ "Sidelined trio set to return to training for Barrow AFC". The Mail. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  34. 1 2 Elliott, Sam (10 May 2019). "Vanarama National League Team Of The Season Confirmed". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  35. ↑ "Dan Jones moves down to Salford City". Salford City FC. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  36. ↑ "Barrow re-sign defender Dan Jones from Salford City". The 72. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  37. ↑ Hutchinson, Gary (1 August 2019). "23-year-old in: The Salford XI we expect Alexander to field against Stevenage this weekend". Football League World. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  38. ↑ "Bluebirds resign Dan Jones". The Mail. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  39. ↑ Wright, Matt (12 February 2020). "Returning Jones can freshen AFC up, says Evatt". The Mail. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  40. 1 2 "Barrow promoted to League Two after being crowned National League champions". Sky Sports. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  41. ↑ "Harrogate bring in Jones and Minter". BBC Sport. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  42. ↑ "Ex-Premier League striker helps Harrogate beat Leicester City prospects in EFL Trophy". leicestermercury.co.uk. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  43. ↑ Howell, Rhys (3 March 2021). "Harrogate's Dan Jones happy to see old friends at Barrow, but more thrilled by clean-sheet". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  44. ↑ Howell, Rhys (14 April 2021). "Dan Jones praised for 'excellent' display against Leyton Orient despite costly error". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  45. 1 2 Law, James (3 May 2021). "FA Trophy final 2019–20: Concord Rangers 0–1 Harrogate Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  46. ↑ "Salford City Retained and Released List 2020–21". salfordcityfc.co.uk. 15 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  47. 1 2 Townley, Dan (10 June 2021). "Dan Jones to join the Valiants". Port Cale F.C. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  48. 1 2 Baggaley, Michael (15 August 2021). "Dan Jones becoming Port Vale fans' favourite". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  49. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (12 December 2021). "Huge test for Port Vale squad ahead of transfer window". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  50. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (16 December 2021). "Port Vale weigh up options as FA confirm Dan Jones' ban". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  51. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (26 March 2022). "Port Vale defender Dan Jones close to first team return after injury". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  52. 1 2 "Games played by Dan Jones in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  53. ↑ "Dan Jones | "We have to go out there and show them what we can do"". www.port-vale.co.uk. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  54. ↑ "Connor Hall | "We deserved the win"". www.port-vale.co.uk. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  55. ↑ Mounteney, Luke (29 November 2022). "November player of the month nominations". www.port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  56. 1 2 "Read exclusive Dan Jones Interview In Saturday's Match Programme". www.port-vale.co.uk. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  57. ↑ "Vale defender Jones likely to miss rest of season". BBC Sport. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  58. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (3 March 2023). "Port Vale defender Dan Jones expected to miss rest of season". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  59. ↑ "Defender Jones signs new Vale contract". BBC Sport. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  60. ↑ Fielding, Rob (8 June 2023). "Dan Jones says Andy Crosby was the key reason why he signed a new Port Vale contract". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  61. ↑ Swindells, Adam (7 October 2023). "Match Report | Portsmouth 2-0 Port Vale". www.port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  62. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (2 January 2024). "Frustrating New Year as Vale are stung by Carlisle United fightback". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  63. ↑ "England come calling for Dan Jones!". Barrow A.F.C. 29 September 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017.
  64. ↑ Badcock, Matthew (21 March 2018). "A Fejiri Okenabirhie ha-trick fires England C to victory over Wales in Barry". The Football Association. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  65. ↑ Badcock, Matthew (19 March 2019). "Non-League Lions held to 2–2 draw by Wales XI at Salford City's Peninsula Stadium". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  66. ↑ "Dan Jones Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  67. ↑ "Fylde's new boy back in action". Blackpool Gazette. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  68. ↑ "Salford City 2019–20 League Two preview". Football League FC. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Dan Jones in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  70. 1 2 "Games played by Dan Jones in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Dan Jones in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  72. ↑ "Games played by Dan Jones in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
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