MaTT finisH lEaDs
To Gloss on rETUrn
When former Wales star Matthew deserved because we have worked so hard as told he had to give up the sport he had played
Jones was forced to retire from individuals and as a club. and loved since as long as he could remember.
professional football in 2004 with a
serious and painful back injury he “To win the Welsh League earns you rewards It was a depressing time for Jones attempting to
never thought for a moment he would and that has come in the form of Europe, and it come to terms with his football being over before
be playing the game again, let alone handed us an opportunity to shine at a higher he had reached his mid-20s.
in the champions league. stage.’’
After finishing as a professional he had moved
Jones had rubbed shoulders with some of the Being back on the European stage has brought down to London do some media training with Sky
best footballers in the world. He played for Leeds back memories of past glories in the competition Sports but it just turned out to be a lonely and
United and then Leicester City as well as earning for Jones, who played in the 2000 Champions depressing existence.
13 Wales caps before injury cut short his career League with Leeds. He figured in matches against
at the age of just 24. the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona. ‘’There were possibly three occasions when I
nearly took my life because I just could not come
It was a depressing time for Jones attempting to to terms with being without football. My marriage
come to terms with life without football and he “it was the worst year of my life. was ending and I lived in an apartment in London
even admits there were even thoughts of suicide. on my own,’’ revealed Jones.
i never want to go to london
But as the back injury eased over the last couple “It was so horrible. It was the worst thing I could
of years he took advantage of a loophole in again...” have done, because I was on my own. I was going
his pay out from the insurance company. The into Sky Sports News for training but coming
small print in the policy said he could not play “I have played at this level before but the Reds’ home and seeing no one and spending too much
professional football in England and Scotland, but involvement is just as big because of the stature time on my own.
made no mention of the Welsh League. of the competition,” he said.
“It was the worst year of my life. I never want to
So he made a tentative return to the field with “Playing football again has meant so much to go to London again unless it’s with a couple of
Llanelli Reds last season and played his part in me. I had the option this season of playing in the mates! They were hard times because football
getting the Stebonheath club into the Champions Champions League and then calling it a day, but I was my first love and nobody could understand it,
League for the first time seven years after helping couldn't do that to the club. and I was quite prepared to throw everything out
Leeds to the competition’s semi-finals. of the window, because at the time I thought I had
"I have a great relationship with the Reds and I lost everything anyway.”
He was involved in both legs of the preliminary wanted to try to help them retain the league title
round against Latvian champions FC Ventspils and and win the Welsh Cup and League Cup. But fortunately for Jones the back injury eased
has committed himself to the Welsh League club within a couple of years after giving up and he
for the rest of the season, but insists he will hang "I have to be realistic though. I am in pain the was able to help out his hometown club.
up his boots for good next May come what may. morning after every game and, although I am “I always wanted to come back to Llanelli, my
loving every second of every game, quality of life local club, to give something back because of all
For the moment though Jones is just enjoying is more important. I have to look towards my the support they have given me,” he said.
being back in football and tasting Europe again. long-term future.
‘’I still have to pinch myself that I’m playing in the “I said I would go back and train but I didn’t want
Champions League again, albeit the preliminary "After a year I want to be able to go to the gym, it shouted form the roof tops just in case it didn’t
rounds,’’ said Llanelli-born Jones. play five-a-side with my mates and have a kick- work out. And I didn’t want people expecting
about with my son in the garden. If I continued huge things from me because I wasn’t going to be
‘’It’s still European football which many players to play for a few years I don't think I'd be able to the player of four years before.
just don’t get to achieve in their careers. do that.
“But luckily it’s gone okay for me. I started off
“I've played in the Champions League with Leeds, "But this time around it will be a little easier to playing half a game and built it up from there. I’ve
but playing in the tournament with Llanelli - my come to terms with it as it is my decision.” got the biggest smile on my face getting back on
hometown club - means that little bit more to the pitch because I’m back kicking a ball and it’s
me. To do it with Llanelli is quite amazing, and it’s That is a far cry from four years ago when he was something I love doing.”
sportingwales
issue3twothousand&eight
SW_Issue3.indd 48 30/7/08 11:14:43
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