Here is the sixth in of a weekly series profiling players across the region. Each week, a different player will reveal best (and worst) moments during their football career. This week it is the turn of veteran Selby Town midfielder Mick Jones.
Mick Jones pictured playing for Garforth Town last season
Name: Mick Jones
Age: 37
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Selby Town
Previous Clubs: Kiveton Park, Maltby Main, Parkgate, Rossington Main, Garforth Town, Athersley Rec, Winterton Rangers, Hucknall Town, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Arnold Town.
Day Job: HR Senior Assessor
Best mate in football: Most have retired. I still stay in contact with a few lads from my spell at Garforth so I should mention Jack Mccarthy, Ash Preece and Danny Harris as they very rarely get much media notice. They are all great lads and top players.
Description of Career Highlight: Hard call, They say you learn more from the hard times and I can think of many seasons with Parkgate or Maltby when we would regularly pull the great escape off.
Description of Most Memorable Match: Possibly making my debut for Sheffield United as a boy and then on the following Saturday, playing in the net for Kiveton Park mens first team at 15 against Worksop Town and having a worldie!
First semi-professional manager: Probably the biggest influence on my football career today, Charles or Chase Mellon, father to two close friends who have both sadly retired from the game – Lee and Scott.
Mick Jones was red carded in pre-season while playing for Selby against Goole
Description of First Red Card (at semi-professional level): Wow hard to recall that far back. I bet there has been a lot certainly in my 20s as I like a tackle and the competiveness of a game. You can’t go near a player these days and it’s a shame because to me a good strong tackle is as good as a goal. Some red cards I have had are to embarrassing to discuss though anything from answering the referee back to really injuring somebody in retaliation. Stupid when you look back. Glad to say I can’t remember my last league or cup red card, though I did get a silly one in pre season for handbags (for Selby against Goole).
Description of First Goal (at semi-professional level): A left footed half volley away at Bridlington for Rossington from 25 yards out and it hit the inside of the stanchion and got stuck in the joint. It was the wining goal, but more importantly it ensured our safety in the league and knock Bridlington into second place with one or two games left.
What do you want to achieve in football in the future: To my count, I have played over 750 career games today and that’s just NCEL and ongoing may you it continue I have no plans in retiring any time soon
Favourite Non League Ground to play at (barring your own club): Bridlington Town