Paul Jones – The definition of an emergency backup goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday
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Jones, who recently celebrated his 34th birthday, was brought in just under a year ago following an unfortunate injury to Owls academy graduate, Joe Wildsmith, with the experienced stopped joining as third-choice behind Kieren Westwood and Cameron Dawson.
The shot-stopper expressed his delight at joining a club of the Owls’ size back in August 2019, but admitted that he knew playing time was going to be a tough thing to achieve.
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Hide AdHe told SWFC’s official website at the time, “This is a huge football club and I’m really pleased to sign. I’ve come in as number three with Joe picking up an injury in pre-season and I know there’s a huge amount of hard work ahead… It seems a great place to be with a really positive group so I’m really looking forward to being here. I’ve got a lot of experience but I’m still reasonably young in goalkeeping terms.”
Now, while there’s been no official confirmation of his exit, Jones is expected to move on next month when his short-term contract extension comes to an end, and will do so without actually getting a chance to make his debut.
Jones made the matchday squad on eight occasions in total, twice in the Championship and twice in the Carabao Cup, and with Wildsmith and Dawson now battling it out for the number one spot – as well as youngsters like Josh Render spending time with the senior team – it would appear that Jones’ time at Hillsborough is coming to an end.
Jones is set to join a number of experienced players such as Steven Fletcher, Fernando Forestieri and Sam Hutchinson who make their exit from the Owls after a turbulent season, with Monk eager to freshen up his squad and bring down the average age, but he’s done exactly what he came in to do, and will be thanked for it.