Club History
Southampton 1.7.97 to £900,000
Stockport 25.7.96 to 1.7.97 £60,000
Wolves 23.7.91 to 25.7.96 £40,000
Kidderminster 1.8.90 to 23.7.91
Paul Jones started his career at non-league Bridgnorth before moving to Kidderminster
Harriers. In July '91 he joined Wolves. After 5 years at Molineux, lack of first team
opportunities prompted a move to Stockport County in '96 and this was followed in '97 by a
move to Southampton. Initially he faced resentment from some of the fans that he had come
in from a lower division to take Maik Taylor's place. The only thing he could do was to
win over the fans by showing his worth. He soon did this with some superb performances at
The Dell and has regularly been named in newspaper "Teams of the Week"
His reflexes are second to none and his size and agility enable him to pull off some
spectacular flying saves. He won Player of the Season award in his first season.
He took over from the great Neville Southall as Welsh goalkeeper making his debut against
Scotland in '97 and he has been rock solid for Wales ever since. In 2000 he suffered a
serious back injury which required surgery and threatened his career. Fortunately he made
a complete recovery and has been able to regain his form. He was Welsh Player of the Year
in 1999.
- DS Have
you ever visited the DragonSoccer website?
PJ No
- DS Where has
been your favourite away destination with Wales
PJ Italy
- DS Why? Can you
expand on your answer at all?
PJ The country was lovely, it was so relaxing and we were able to
stay on an extra week.
- DS What are your
earliest footballing memories?
PJ Playing in Sunday League
- DS Which was the
first football team you ever played for?
PJ The Up And Comers
- DS Who has been
the biggest influence on your career and why?
PJ My Parents have always supported me and Graham Allener at
Kidderminster
- DS Which player
has most influenced you and why?
PJ Neville Southall. I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.
- DS What has been the
highest point of your career so far?
PJ I have been unfortunate not to win any honours, but I was promoted with
Stockport and when I won my first Welsh cap that was a real high. Also I was fortunate to
be able to break into the Premiership so fast with Southampton.
- DS What would you
consider has been your lowest point/worst moment?
PJ To be 3-0 up against Tranmere in the 5th Round of the FA Cup
and then to lose 4-3
- DS Name a Welsh player
from any era who you would have loved to play in the same team as.
PJ Ian Rush. As a Liverpool fan I would love to have played in the same
team as him.
- DS What ambitions do
you still want to achieve?
PJ To win a domestic trophy with Southampton or wherever I end up
playing.
- DS Do you see yourself
in a managerial or coaching role in the future?
PJ Yes I would love to coach goalkeepers.
- DS If so would you
like to do this at Club or International level or both?
PJ Both. I would love to be able to give something back.
- DS If there was one
player in the World who you could miraculously make Welsh and draft into the Welsh squad -
who would it be?
PJ Diego Maradona
- DS How do you see the
future of Welsh football developing given that we have no Premier club -at the moment-
which forces our players to live and put down roots in England?
PJ It is very disappointing not to have at least one Premiership club in
Wales, but who knows in the future.
- DS Do you think there
is a danger to the future of Welsh International football given the 3 year residency rule
and the attraction and glamour of the England team which seems to attract a number of
young Welsh players?
PJ Hopefully the fact that you are born in Wales should be enough for you to
be committed to Wales.
- DS What do you think
has been Mark Hughes' greatest contribution to the upturn in Welsh International football?
PJ The system he uses is suitable for the players we have and he develops the
strengths against the weaknesses. We are more organized and harder to beat. We are much
more confident.
- DS Do you think there
will come a point when the role of Wales Manager will necessitate full time commitment?
PJ Yes, the development of football will necessitate his going full time to
cover all the aspects.
- DS What do you think
can be done to attract a proportion of Commonwealth players with a British Passport?
PJ We are becoming a team that people are noticing and if we can qualify it
will attract these players
- DS In fact do you
believe there is actually a role in Welsh football for some of these players?
PJ That is difficult as you don't want to stop our own home grown players
coming through. It will depend on what's right for the team.
- DS Given the talent now
available to the Welsh International team - Simon Davies, Craig Bellamy, Matthew Jones,
Jason Koumas, the Cardiff boys Rob Earnshaw and Danny Gabbidon coming through and with
Ryan Giggs, John Hartson and Robbie Savage still only in their 20s would you consider the
future of Welsh International football as being very promising, more so than for many
years?
PJ Yes we are going in the right direction now. The future is very promising.
- DS What are your feelings on
the Euro 2004 draw?
PJ Unfortunately another one which didn't favour us. Italy are obviously
favourites to win the group but the other place is definitely winnable.
- DS What was your reaction
when you knew the Argentina match was on?
PJ Fantastic! I had heard a whisper earlier but when it was confirmed we
all saw it as a tremendous opportunity to pit ourselves against one of the best teams
in the world.
- DS When you play away
matches is there any opportunity to see any of the countries you visit or to enjoy the
social/nightlife? Or is the training schedule so strict that any social activities would
be impossible?
PJ We arrive two days before the game and then are involved in training. We may
have a walk around the city but there is certainly no opportunity to sample the night
life.
- DS Do you have any
team/squad news you can share with us? (question asked before Argentina friendly)
PJ Everyone is in a confident mood and really looking forward to the game. |