*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Sam Jones
Appearances: 17+2 Goals: 3
Date / Year of birth: 3rd July 1987
Position: Winger / Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 2009/10
Season of last appearance: 2009/10
Also played for: Ramsgate, Dover Athletic and Tonbridge Angels
Local player who featured in Ramsgate's junior sides before drifting into local football after a spell in the Rams' Under-18's.
At the start of 2008 Sam rejoined Ramsgate and on 12.4.08 he scored his first two goals for the club in a 3-2 home win over Horsham in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Manager Jimmy Ward told the Thanet Times "He's another Sunday morning player who's been given the chance and grasped it with both hands...that's what we're all about - giving local talent a chance." By the end of the 2007/08 season Sam had made a total of seven first team appearances and scored three times for the Rams.
In May 2008 he signed for Dover and Sam scored three goals from a total of 30 appearances (24 as a substitute) during the 2008/09 campaign as the club won the Isthmian League Premier Division title.
After being released by Dover Sam returned to Ramsgate in the summer of 2009 and opted to join the Rams rather than sign for Margate. Jimmy Ward told the Thanet Times "Sam spoke to Margate and he spoke to Kingstonian but he's made the right decision. I don't want to put too much pressure on him but he can be the Ronaldo of the league next year. I'm hoping he'll do it all for me. He's got his link-up play and he knows how to score a goal."
The Isle of Thanet Gazette said Sam was "the best player on the pitch by a mile" as Ramsgate lost 1-0 to Margate at Hartsdown Park on 28.7.09 in the 1st Leg of a tie played for the Isle of Thanet Gazette Cup and the paper enthused "Great feet, pace, terrific vision - when he chose to pass it - and not shy of going for goal. Ok, maybe he does hold on to the ball too long sometimes but surely you just let a talent like that get on with it". Jimmy Ward told the paper "We've got to keep him fit because he's the one."
On the eve of the 2009/10 campaign the Isle of Thanet Gazette interviewed Sam and he explained why he chose to go back to Ramsgate instead of joining Margate by saying "They gave me a chance a few seasons ago so I thought I'd try giving something back. I like playing down there and I know I'll get games and that's what I need." Asked about Jimmy Ward's 'Ronaldo' comment Sam said "I got loads of stick from my mates about that one but I don't even like him, so I'd rather not be called it."
Sam had an explosive start to the new season as he was sent off after a clash with an opponent during a 1-0 home win over Fleet on the opening day and he had to serve a three match ban as a result. He went on to score twice from 18 Isthmian League Division 1 South outings (four as sub) for the Rams and also scored once more in a cup tie before finally signing for Margate at the start of February 2010.
Jimmy Ward told the Thanet Times "We had to do something money-wise and Jonesy was my biggest earner. We're not going anywhere fast this season so I decided to bite the bullet and let him go. Margate came in for him and we wish him all the best for the future. He's got an abundance of skill and maybe that'll come out at a higher level. He was one of the most exciting players in our league and I've no doubt he'll be one of the most exciting in the Premier Division."
Margate's manager Mark Butler told the paper "Ramsgate wanted to off-load him and we started talking to him. The question for us was where he would fit into our system. We knew he was a midfielder and he's also played up front for Ramsgate, while I see him as someone who can play behind the front two. Once we'd established he could fit in it was a no-brainer. Sam will like the way we pass the ball and if he embraces that he'll become a better player." Sam turned out to be Butler's last signing as Margate's manager and he resigned from his post shortly afterwards.
Sam made his debut as a substitute in a 3-2 home defeat against Hendon in the Isthmian League Premier Division on 6.2.10 and then made his first start in a 1-1 draw with Wealdstone at Hartsdown Park on 9.2.10. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said "he was the best player on the park by a distance" and Sam was a regular after that.
On 20.2.10 he scored his first goal in a 2-1 defeat against visitors Canvey Island and Sam was on target again with a thumping header in a 2-1 home win over Tooting & Mitcham on 9.3.10. He took his tally to three with what the Thanet Times described as a "wonder goal" in a 1-1 draw with Carshalton at Hartsdown Park on 20.3.10. Sam equalised from 30 yards and the paper called his effort an "outrageous chip" whilst adding "every other player on the park would have put their foot through the ball".
Sam made his last appearance of the season as a substitute in a 1-0 home win over Hastings on 24.4.10 that saved Margate from relegation and in all he'd scored three times in 19 outings (two as sub) for the club.
In the summer of 2010 Sam went to the USA and Margate manager Iain O'Connell told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "I don't know what's happened, I think he's gone to America or something. His future's on hold but I'd like to have a chat with him about money and stuff."
Sam didn't return to Margate and after arriving back in the UK he signed for Tonbridge at the start of September 2010. He went back to America at the end of October 2010 before rejoining Tonbridge in February 2011.
By the end of the 2010/11 campaign he'd scored once from 21 Isthmian League Premier Division outings (six as sub) for the Angels as they won promotion to the Conference South via the play-offs. Sam left the club at the end of the season and dropped out of senior football.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
ILC |
KSC |
||
|
2009/10 (MFC) |
17 (51) |
2 |
3 |
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (19TH OF 22) |
1QR |
1QR |
3R |
QF |
|
Margate finished in
relegation position but were reprieved and remained in the Isthmian League
Premier Division. | |||||||||