Jones Eddie Image 1 Bristol City 1921

Description

Tyldesley, Lancashire born left back Eddie Jones played Rugby League as a youngster, as a wing three-quarter and both Wigan and Wakefield Trinity offered him a contract, but he preferred to follow the round ball game instead. He spent 1907-08 on the books of Bolton Wanderers without ever playing for their first team, and played for Tyldesley, Penrith and Lancashire Combination club Chorley before joining Southern League club Exeter City in the summer of 1909. Jones made his Southern League debut in a 2-1 defeat at Croydon Common in September 1909, and won a regular slot in The Grecians’ team for the rest of the season.

After scoring twice in 63 appearances for Exeter City he impressed First Division club Bristol City enough for them to buy him midway through the 1910-11 season, with his Football League debut coming against Liverpool in February 1911, but he only made 3 appearances that season as City were relegated, becoming a regular during the following two seasons in the Second Division. Although never assured of his place in the team, he played both sides of the First World War for City. After the War he played 21 matches in their 1920-21 campaign as The Robins finished third in the Second Division, narrowly missing out on a return to the top flight, before again becoming a fringe player during his final two seasons. In total he scored 4 goals in 103 games in his 11 years at Ashton Gate, during which time he was granted a benefit match, before joining non league Weymouth in 1923.

Having finished his playing career Jones then became trainer with Bristol Rovers, before returning to St James’ Park as Exeter City’s trainer in 1926.