|
Jones joined St. Johnstone, who were relegated from the Scottish Premier League at the end of last season, in November 1999 for the healthy fee of £100,000, but his career at McDairmond Park was very much blighted by injury and the stocky striker only managed top net seven times for the Perth-based Club.
It was after a falling out at Wigan Athletic that Jones moved north of the border, but there is no doubt that it was with the Latics that the Gateshead-born striker enjoyed his best days as a goalscorer, hitting that target 32 times as Wigan went on to lift the Division Three Championship in 1996/97. In total he scored 52 times in 90 full and 25 substitute appearances during his time at both Springfield Park and the JJB Stadium.
Jones beganb his professional career at Bridlington Town, from whom Doncaster Rovers paid £10,000 for his services in the summer of 1993, in 91 full and 14 substutute appearances, Jones managed 29 goals for the Belle Vue side before he moved to Wigan for £150,000 in July 1996.
A fee in the regoin of £50,000 was being touted for Jones services, but rumours in Perth suggested that Jones had been released from his three-year contract so as yet it remains unclear whether United have paid a fee.
Of course we at The Little Gazette wish Graeme Jones the best of luck for the future at Southend United.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com