Former Sunderland winger Jordan Jones is back in the North East with National League North club South Shields.
The world was a very different place when Sunderland completed the loan signing of Rangers winger Jordan Jones during the final days of the January 2021 transfer window.
Far removed from their latest exploits in the Premier League and historic Europa League campaign, the Black Cats were trying to fight their way out of League One after their previous attempts were ended by a play-off final defeat against Charlton Athletic and, perhaps more cruelly, a season curtailed by the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and a decision to calculate a final table based on points per game average.
Jordan Jones during his time at Sunderland.placeholder image
Jordan Jones during his time at Sunderland. | Getty Images.
However, the restrictions that were placed upon society also ensured Teesside-born winger Jones was unable to experience the Wearside faithful roaring on their side at the Stadium of Light as supporters were forced to watch the action via live streams and TV coverage. Signed in the same week as Sunderland snapped up Ross County striker Ross Stewart, Jones went on to score three goals and provide four assists in 21 appearances in all competitions as Lee Johnson’s side fell to a play-off semi-final defeat against Lincoln City that ended thoughts of a return to the Championship.
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A personal high point came with a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win at Portsmouth six weeks after his arrival - but even the joy of that victory at Fratton Park was tempered by a niggling hamstring injury that hampered Jones’ attempts to make a lasting impact. The frustration caused by a combination of bad luck with injury and having to connect with fans at a distance remains prominent with the winger after he returned to the North East to join Sunderland’s National League North neighbours South Shields earlier this month.
He told The Echo: “I loved my time at Sunderland and I felt like when I got into my rhythm I was really in my stride. I remember we played Portsmouth away and it was my best game at Sunderland. I got a goal and I got an assist for big Charlie Wyke and then I did my hamstring during the game but I didn’t want to come off and ended up missing a couple of weeks after that. To be honest, I still felt like my numbers were good and I loved it at the club. The only shame was there were no fans because of the situation with Covid - but I got a lot of love from fans on social media and stuff like that. I wish I’d got to play in front of them because they’re like Rangers fans, they’re passionate about the club and I only have good memories about the club.”
‘He wasn’t the usual 26-year-old’ - Jordan Jones on Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.placeholder image
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. | Getty Images.
A major change came to pass just weeks after Jones’ arrival at the Stadium of Light and one that would lay the foundations for Sunderland’s rise from League One promotion contenders to competing alongside the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Marseille in this season’s Europa League.
The winger’s Black Cats career was still in its infancy when Swiss-born businessman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus bought a controlling stake in the club before taking full control just over a year later. Working alongside former sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, Louis-Dreyfus helped get Sunderland back on track as they shook off the disappointment of failed attempts to return to the second tier by securing two promotions in three seasons before earning only a second European campaign in the club’s history with last season’s seventh placed finish in the Premier League. Reflecting on his arrival at the club, Jones revealed the Black Cats owner and chairman made an immediate impact on the players and other key figures at the Stadium of Light.
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He said: “One of the boys was speaking to me about my time with Sunderland yesterday and we were talking about Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril going into the club when I was there. He was only 26 when he arrived and we had a meeting with him. A few of us were saying ‘wow’ because you could see how serious he was about where the club was going. You could see he wasn’t the usual 26-year-old. Kristjaan came in and what a job he’s done too. He got rid of players like myself and brought Premier League players in. He had a difficult job too because he moved on players like Lynden Gooch and he had been there for years and years - but he was told he wasn’t needed and he wasn’t the only one. That’s difficult to hear but ultimately they have got to where they needed to get back to.”
‘I’ve been so impressed’ - Jordan Jones on South Shields move
Jordan Jones made his South Shields debut as a substitute in a 2-1 win against National League North rivals Marine.placeholder image
Jordan Jones made his South Shields debut as a substitute in a 2-1 win against National League North rivals Marine. | Kevin Wilson.
After spending time with the likes of Wigan Athletic, St Mirren and Kilmarnock in recent seasons, Jones is now hoping to make an impact after reuniting with his former Carlisle United manager Mike Williamson at South Shields as they look to guide the Mariners into the National League this season. The early signs have been promising for the winger.
He said: “Look at the setup here, it’s brilliant and I’ve been so impressed with it all. It’s as professional as you’re going to get at this level and the way Mike wants to coach and play at this level, it suits me down to the ground.”
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