Cymru North side Penrhyncoch signed Aberystwyth Town full-back Jamie Jones in January in a move that suited all parties involved.
Aberystwyth signed new players so needed to send Jones on loan to ensure he was playing senior football, Penrhyncoch needed new faces through the door to boost their survival hopes, and Jones needed regular football to avoid his development being stalled.
Now a regular starter at the Roosters, Jones spoke to us about the difference in playing regular Second Tier football compared to limited minutes from the bench in the Cymru Premier, as well as Under 19’s football at Park Avenue.
“It’s a whole different style of play,” he said.
“It’s a lot different to Under 19’s football, especially the men’s side of it. I’m at the step of my career where I need to make improvements to men’s football, so it’s more physical. I’m learning nearly every game.
“Me and Cam (Allen) have tried our best. We’ve put in the effort and extra hours but we still couldn’t get the game time, so that’s why I’m with Penrhyncoch now to try and get more time with the men’s team.”
Aberystwyth Town Debut
Having made the bench in a Nathaniel MG Cup game against Cardiff Met University back in September 2021, it would only be a matter of time before Jamie Jones made his debut.
Just two months later, his debut would come from the bench, in a victory against professional side The New Saints in November 2021.
Aberystwyth Town beat TNS 1-0 at Park Avenue after a goal by John Owen with just five minutes remaining secured a famous win for the Seasiders.
Jones came on in the closing stages of that game and he told us about the feeling of making his debut and doing so against a team who are full-time:
“It was amazing because we were winning at the time, it was right at the end of the game. They put me right back.
“It was a very good experience to finally get on. I’d been in the squad quite a few times beforehand, so I was just waiting for my time to come, prepping myself before every game.
“You’re just sitting off praying they don’t break through you, it’s literally attacking the whole game for them. You just sit off and try to stay together. The way they move the ball so quickly from either side, it’s like your just headless chickens.”
“Fitness levels are crazy with them, you see their full-backs up and down all game, they have to if they want to break teams down.
“Aber last year were a very fit team, a lot of the boys were ready for it, so we didn’t really look that tired.
“Other teams will struggle towards the end and that’s where they break teams down but that’s where we held strong.
“The way they pass the ball around it’s obviously hard stopping them, but we managed to do it in the end and it was a very proud moment.
Welsh Schools Experience
Back in May 2022, Jones was called up to the Welsh Schools international squad, where he would join fellow Seasider Cameron Allen on a tour to Italy to face some of the best players at School level (Under 18).
Jones told us about the experience and how it helped him develop as a player during that period of his career:
“It was such a good experience, I had a call from the manager to say someone had dropped out. I wasn’t expecting to be in the squad.
“But he said I was the first reserve, so when I had that call I was buzzing, I didn’t have words for it. It was such a good achievement. My family were so proud of me.
“Playing in the heat, different style of play. Our coaches warned us beforehand how different teams play. The likes of Italy, Cyprus. It was so different.
“It was at the point of my career where I was getting some minutes for the first team. It came at a great time.“
Aberystwyth University – BUCS, Varsity and the need for game time
Around October time, Jones began his studies at Aberystwyth University whilst still playing his football at Aberystwyth Town.
With his studies also came a chance to represent the University in football. BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) is where Universities face each other in their chosen sport, which of course for Jones was football.
Although he is unable to play for the Uni on the weekends due to his commitments to Aberystwyth Town and currently Penrhyncoch, Jones plays in BUCS competitions for the University, where he has contributed to the goals consistently.
(Jamie Jones and Kieran Booker were part of the side that won Varsity 2023 for Aberystwyth University/ Credit – Aberystwyth University FC)
He also plays alongside Penrhyncoch teammate Kieran Booker, who also plays for Aber Uni for BUCS during the week.
Jones scored the winner in Varsity 2023 to ensure Aber went two wins in a row against Varsity rivals Bangor University, repeating the same feat as Booker, who scored the winning header last year for Aber Uni’s win at Park Avenue.
“I just want to play as much as I can, just before the Christmas period I was playing nearly three games a week. It’s not good in a way because you can get injured really easily, but I just want to play all the time.”
“I’m always up for it,” he said
“The Uni boys are such a good group of lads, we all connect with each other.”
Training with an EFL Championship goalkeeper
In the summer transfer window, Aberystwyth Town signed Swansea City goalkeeper Lewis Webb on a loan deal which lasted until January, when he was eventually recalled by the English Championship club.
Having made a name for himself countless of times for the Seasiders between the sticks in Phase One of the Cymru Premier, it is clear how much of a miss he has been when he has not been in the Aberystwyth side.
At times, Webb would make match-winning saves for Aber, and commanded his backline incredibly well for a side who are always doubted whatever game they go into.
Jones spoke about the talent which Webb has and how that impacted the Aber Town squad whilst he was at the club:
“He’s such a big name for someone like Aber Town to have. I remember the first training session we had with him and it was just unbelievable how good he was.
“You could tell by the way he would spray the ball out wide with his hands, his handling, just making ridiculous saves. He was just consistent. He was so supportive to everyone. He’s a very good goalkeeper.”
Aberystwyth Town survival chances?
The Seasiders looked set to be going down after a poor run of results. Seven games without a win, including an 11-0 defeat to TNS, meant Aber were in real danger of being relegated.
However, after two crucial wins in their last two games against Caernarfon Town and Flint Town United, Anthony Williams’ side are now level on points with Flint on 32 points from 28 games.
Whilst the Seasiders remain in the relegation zone, they have the momentum going into the last four games of the season.
Jones gave his thoughts on Aber’s chances of staying in the Cymru Prem and the progress they have made since he left on a loan deal in January:
“Before I left a few heads were slowly dropping, but it’s a really nice group of lads, we have such a good group.
“They support the younger ones, the likes of me and Cam Allen. If it wasn’t for the group being so closely connected, it may have been a different story.
“They seem to be getting there now. I think the Caernarfon win (the last game of Phase One) was a massive win.
“Now they’ve made a few signings they’re looking better, so hopefully they can stick it out, work together as they have done. I think they’ve got through that tricky spell.”
Aberystwyth Town face a huge trip to Pontypridd United at the weekend, as they look to continue their push to stay in the Welsh top flight.
The game kicks off at 17:15 BST and is available to watch on S4C.
(Featured Image: Eilir Edwards)
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