An in-depth look into our newest recruit: Aaron Jones

Born and bred in Great Yarmouth on the East Coast, Aaron Jones was an aspiring sportsman from day dot, and come the age of eight, had the chance to choose between pursuing football and rugby.

Having chosen the former, Jones’ footballing journey subsequently began 55 miles south of his hometown with a ten-year stint at Suffolk-based side Ipswich Town, arriving in East Anglia in 2002 where he eventually settled into a role as right back, and went on to enjoy an extended spell in the Tractor Boys’ academy.

Come 2012, the young defender had risen through the ranks at Portman Road, but by the time he turned 18, had another decision to make due to Ipswich at the time not having an Under-21 program. Without that next step, the club elected not to offer him a senior contract and gave Jones a very unique opportunity.

Following brief stints at local clubs Lowestoft Town and Gorleston, Aaron opted to continue his education across the ocean, becoming the first player to sign with the Vertex Soccer program in the United States of America before earning a scholarship at Georgia State University. He cited the opportunity to study as well as playing the sport at the same time as one he couldn’t pass up on, while noting the progression from college to MLS as something that he believed he could achieve, and this kick-started a four-year spell in the US.

A single season with Georgia State Panthers saw him rack up 36 appearances, notching three goals and seven assists, before playing in the Premier Development League for Carolina Dynamo, and preceded a move to Athletic Coast Conference powerhouse Clemson Tigers. The right back saw the move as a chance to improve his stock as he continued toward his goal of playing in MLS, and subsequently earned starting time with a nationally recognised program. Along with the ACC team’s tournament success, Jones came into his own for the Tigers, becoming the club’s set-piece specialist, and notably scored a match-winning free kick that earned a spot in SportsCenter’s Top 10, while ending the season with 39 appearances, as well as four goals and seven assists.

Looking to shift his focus toward the MLS SuperDraft though, Aaron was later accepted to participate in the MLS Combine, a four-day annual showcase that occurred every January until its discontinuation in 2020, and later achieved his goal when he was drafted in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union.

This saw him join what was likely Major League Soccer’s deepest pool of right backs, having to compete with the previous year’ first-round pick, Keegan Rosenberry, who was the runner-up for MLS Rookie of the Year and had earned his first USMNT call-up.

Despite the competition, Jones had hoped to crack the Union’s roster in his natural position, and commented on the direction that the franchise was going as a key part of his decision to join. He subsequently signed his first professional contract a month after being drafted and made his professional debut with USL affiliate club Bethlehem Steel in a 3–2 defeat to Rochester Rhinos, going on to to become an ever-present during his stint in Pennsylvania with 32 appearances.

Jones had impressed Head Coach Jim Curtin instantly with his commitment and mentality, being described as an extremely fit player who wins one-on-one battles defensively. However, the chance to return soon became a realistic prospect when Union opted against renewing his contract, and Aaron decided to remain close to his hometown when he departed Philly in 2018. Consequently, Jones returned to the East Coast with a move to Southern League side, King’s Lynn Town.

A five-year stint at The Walks started with a second place finish in the Southern League Premier Division Central, with Jones contributing to promotion via the play-offs, and was followed by a title-winning campaign in the National League North the following season, with Jones making 30 league appearances in 2019/20.

With back-to-back promotions secured, Jones had played his part in their rise from the Southern League to the National League in the span of just three seasons, and remained a key part of the Linnets’ team across their two campaigns at Step One, making 43 appearances as they avoided relegation in 2020/21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic halting the National League North and South seasons, before suffering a return to the sixth tier the following season.

Nonetheless, Aaron had proved his quality at fifth tier level, and after one more season in the National League North – in which Tommy Widdrington’s side secured a play-off spot – the departure of Widdrington to Aldershot Town saw the 53-year old bring Jones to the EBB Stadium with him, exiting the Linnets with 167 appearances to his name. He remained a mainstay in the side under Widdrington and played nearly every minute during the 2023/24 season, as well as being named as Vice-Captain in pre-season, although he wore the armband for the majority of the campaign due to an injury to Stuart O’Keefe.

Having joined on an initial one-year deal, he extended his contract until the end of the 2024/25 season just six months after joining and followed his maiden campaign in North Hampshire by being named Club Captain ahead of 2024/25. This saw him enjoy an extremely successful season as skipper, leading the side out at Wembley Stadium as the Shots reached the Isuzu FA Trophy final, and soon got the chance to lift the trophy following a 3-0 win over Spennymoor Town in the capital.