Alaric Jones reappearance in the colours of Haverfordwest County in September marked a return home for the nineteen year old, who signed for the Bluebirds at fourteen.
He made a senior league debut as a sixteen year old schoolboy under then manager, Sean Cresser at Port Talbot Town where Club historians will point to him being the Clubs youngest goal scorer and captain, albeit for a second half of a game when present skipper Sean Pemberton left the field.
Leadership is something he has shown despite his tentative years, that honour falling to him also for the Welsh Schools U18s as well as at youth level, where Haverfordwest lifted the Welsh Cup in his age group.
Jones spent his formative years with Swansea City, nurtured and cajoled in the academy structure before release where he joined the Bluebirds academy and played local league junior football for Merlin’s Bridge amongst friends.
“That time was something I don’t regret as those friendships are important to me and have helped formulate my resolve to achieve the best I can in the game,” reflected Jones.
Growing up he had watched his dad Tony lace up his boots for the Wizards, alongside Uncles Peter and Paul, role models which carved his mantra as a versatile defender, the seamless move expected in local circles for him to follow in their footsteps to the ‘Wizards’ first team, hijacked when he signed for Haverfordwest, then managed by Sean Cresser under the chairmanship of stalwart David Hughes.
Eighteen months ago, he joined Carmarthen Town, manager Neil Smothers played the youngster as a left back or left centre side of a defence which included experienced campaigners Lee Surman and Craig Hanford.
Jones settled well, Carmarthen not hitting the seas at full mast and languished in the basement area of the Cymru Premier before Jones was sidelined with a recurring ACL which required surgery, sustained incidentally, when on trial at Hull City. After a five month recuperation his return helped the Old Gold in their battle for league safety, Jones distraught that his time at Richmond Park ended in such surreal circumstances associated to the curtailment of the league by the Football Association of Wales.
“It was so frustrating last season” he said with a mellow intonation “But under Kristian O’Leary we were beginning to show signs of being able to survive and I’m saddened I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye on the pitch.”
Jones isn’t a person who looks backwards, the highs and lows experienced learning points on a journey for the Cardiff Met student who has enjoyed an injury free season, the dream of a professional career in football still alight from within. He has worked with current manager Wayne Jones previously when at the Bridge Meadow and already the professionalism, helped by Chairman Rob Edwards arrival, radiating from the Club in the first part of the season, on and off the pitch, where nutrition, strength and conditioning and biometric analysis have been in place to enhance his fitness levels.
A season of Cymru Premier experience has stood him in good stead amongst his peers, that debut game at the Genquip stadium a lingering memory that fuelled further enjoyment. “The gaffer has been specific in his game plans and management of the squad. My ambitions are matched by those of the Club and part of the success is the friendships and opportunities this season has brought.
“We have learnt together and quickly; from my own perspective It’s been a steep learning curve, none more so than when I lost my place in the side after a red card against Flint Town. Wayne and the coaching team have helped me, but it has been a challenge which I have had to step upto.”
The short term future is to graduate from his University sports management course, the combination of enhancing his practical sports development alongside an understanding of the required business acumen, something he relishes, although he hasn’t committed to the bespoke ‘Archers’ high performance football programme.
“Wolvsey sold me the ambition of Haverfordwest” he stated “and there is definite momentum where I want to be part of the Club as it looks for a sustained presence in the Cymru Premier. We have put ourselves in a position to give the Club the foundations for future years and I’m happy to be part of it and looking forward to the return to the pitch post lockdown.”
Family is also a requisite word in his vocabulary, mum Alison a keen supporter alongside sisters Alicia and Alexys and its only with hindsight does he realise the guidance offered by dad in his formative years learning the game. That shows Jones has a refreshing outlook on football, the perspective of an old head on young shoulders.
The Cardiff Met motto ‘I lwyddo, rhaid chwarae’ emblazoned on their maroon shirts is one which he may not have realised was a chaunt which typifies the former Welsh Schools captain. The Archers motto translated reads ‘To succeed, [one] must play’; at this juncture for Jones, it’s with Haverfordwest County, where he hopes the Bluebirds can continue to fly high.
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