Rob Jones (footballer born 1971)
Rob Jones in the profile.
Marc Robert " Rob" Jones ( born November 5, 1971 in Wrexham ) is a born in Wales former English footballer. The full-back has developed at Liverpool at the beginning of the 1990s, early to the English national team and won to the 1992 FA Cup. However, a number of injury setbacks ensured and at the age of 27 years ended his professional career prematurely.
Sports career
Club career
Crewe Alexandra (1988-1991)
In Crewe, England - about 40 kilometers east of the Welsh town of Wrexham birth lying - began Jones ' football career. The grandson of Bill Jones, who had lost in 1950 with Liverpool in the FA Cup final as left back against Arsenal 0-2, signed in September 1987 its first pupils contract with Crewe Alexandra. Even before his promotion to " trainee " in July 1988, he made his debut on 9 April 1988 a fourth division match against FC Darlington and as his club the following season 1988/89 promotion to the Third Division succeeded, Jones contributed to twelve missions in. During this season, he also signed his first professional contract in December 1988.
In the 1990/91 season, Jones conquered on the right-back position a regular place and although Crewe descent into fourth league, Jones had often convinced with good benefits. Still surprised the ensuing steep career path, because despite his constant performances Jones had been regarded as just one of many talents under coach Dario Gradi Crewes. And so 1991 Tribune guest and Liverpool manager Graeme Souness was also interested teammate Steve Walters before him convinced Jones sustained as a right defender in October. For 300,000 pounds Jones eventually switched to the " Reds " in the highest English league.
Liverpool FC (1991-1999)
Just 24 hours after signing the contract Jones made his debut for Liverpool. Opponent was Manchester United at Old Trafford and the freshman was charged with guarding of Ryan Giggs. He fulfilled this task to the satisfaction and transported by injury problems in his position Jones was faster than expected for a regular player. At the end of a successful year, the Jones gave a first use in the English national team, was the FA Cup victory after a 2-0 final win against Sunderland AFC at a packed Wembley Stadium. Was praised by experts to his playing style as " full -back " ( having to play often without challenge ) with strengths in winning the ball, quick passes and precise edge runs. Unfortunately, he suffered early on a shin splints, which initially cost him his possible participation in the Euro 1992 in Sweden and its further professional career severely impaired. He completed primary at left-back Page 30 of 42 league games in a season 1992/93, which ended disappointingly in sixth place and with early to Cup defeats.
The physical problems continued. Nevertheless, he was in the club more than " first choice ", although he had to change his style of play after the coaching change to Roy Evans and associated with him switching to a 3 -5- 2 system. He succeeded first, and with a 2-1 final win against second division side Bolton Wanderers, he won the 1995 League Cup. A year later, graduated in another Wembley final, defeated there in the FA Cup but Manchester United 0:1. He had now lost his right " Wingback " post at Jason McAteer and in the final he was instead come on the left to use. After the defeat of Jones ' treating physicians ordered him strongly to take a longer break from football for at least six months. This was due to the fracture of a vertebra in the spine, which could have resulted in paralysis can result. Jones had previously played in spite of this injury. In January 1997, Jones returned to the first team, but although the Blessur treated was overcome, he failed in renewed battle for the starting place. Then there was a series of knee injuries, who made sure that he was no longer able to act without pain. As the end of the 1998/99 season his contract in Liverpool, he left after a total of 243 official matches ( and without your own Tor) the Reds.
Jones took in the summer of 1999, a last start at West Ham United. He denied some preparation games and the " hammer " offered him a contract before the knee problems further aggravated. After the definitive diagnosis that he would never again football at the highest level can play the promising career ended, begun before his 28th birthday.
England national team
After a fast sports development from the fourth division - to Erstligastammspieler at Liverpool Jones made his debut on 19 February 1992 in a 2-0 win against France for the English national team under manager Graham Taylor. He had on the right-back position with Lee Dixon and Gary Stevens erfahrenenen first big competition, but although this had to cancel due to an injury to participate in the forthcoming Euro 1992 in Sweden, Jones was unable to benefit due to their own injuries from it.
Under Taylor's successor Terry Venables Jones was in 1994, becoming a fixture of the "Three Lions ", but the hopes of a participation in the Euro 1996 in their own country ultimately unfulfilled. This was firstly due to ongoing injury problems; to Gary Neville had from the summer of 1995 can claim the right-back role more and more. The spine problems in the summer of 1996 and subsequent knee injury ultimately ensured that he (0-0 ) could not add a further use more his eighth international match on 29 March 1995 against Uruguay.
Title / Awards
- English Cup ( 1): 1992
- English League Cup ( 1): 1995
- PFA Team of the Year (2): 1992, 1995