Jones captained Hibs as the club won the 2007 Scottish League Cup final, in which he scored the opening goal. He moved to Scunthorpe United in 2009 for a club record fee, before signing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2011. Jones won promotion with Wednesday in 2011–12, but signed for Doncaster Rovers on 31 July 2012. He was appointed to a player/coach role with Doncaster in January 2013.
Jones signed on a free transfer for Russell Slade's Grimsby Town in July 2004 after impressing on trial.[9] During the 2004–05 season, his first year at Blundell Park Jones struggled to cement his place in the first team, and was often overlooked in favour of Terrell Forbes and Justin Whittle.[citation needed] Jones made his debut on the opening day of the season in a 1–0 away defeat against Darlington.[citation needed] During the 2005–06 season Jones moved on to play a central role in the team in his second season.[citation needed] The club made a strong start to the season in both league and cup which included a 1–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup second round during September 2005.[citation needed] It was following this match that Jones who impressed at centre half was carried off the pitch by Grimsby fans.[citation needed] The club failed to gain automatic promotion from League Two on the final day of the season and had to settle for the play-offs.[citation needed] Despite beating local rivals Lincoln City in the semi-final Grimsby lost the final 1–0 to Cheltenham Town.[citation needed] Following the club's failure to secure promotion Jones was one of several key players who departed the club in the summer of 2006 with the club agreeing a deal to sell Jones to Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.[citation needed]
Hibernian
Jones signed for Hibernian on a four-year contract in June 2006.[10] He was very well received by Hibs supporters, who created his own individual song to the tune of "Gold" by Spandau Ballet.[citation needed] Jones was made captain of Hibernian in January 2007, replacing Kevin Thomson.[11]
BBC Sport reported in the summer of 2007 that Jones had been angered by Hibs turning down an offer for him from Leeds United.[14]Ipswich Town were also interested in Jones at the same time.[15]Colchester United made a "six figure offer" for Jones during January 2009, but this was rejected by Hibs.[13] Hibs also stated their intention to report Colchester to the Football League and the Football Association because Colchester publicised their offer, even though the offer document stated that it was "confidential".[13] Hibs later rejected a second offer from Colchester for Jones.[16]
On 17 March 2011, Jones signed an emergency loan deal with Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the 2010–11 season.[19] At the end of the season, Wednesday signed Jones on a two-year contract.[20]Gary Megson then appointed Jones team captain for the 2011–12 season.
Doncaster Rovers
On 31 July 2012, Jones continued his tour of South Yorkshire, leaving recently promoted side Sheffield Wednesday to join League One club Doncaster Rovers,[21] effectively replacing George Friend, who had just signed for Middlesbrough.[citation needed] Jones scored his first goal for Doncaster in a League Cup win over Hull City on 28 August 2012.[22] Following the departure of manager Dean Saunders, Jones and former Wales manager Brian Flynn were put in temporary charge of the squad.[23][24] After Flynn was appointed manager on a permanent basis, Jones was given a player/coach role to assist Flynn.[25]
On the final day of the 2012–13 season Rovers faced title rivals Brentford away from home and in the final minute conceded a penalty which would have seen Doncaster fall to 3rd and seen the club have to make do with a play-off spot, however Marcello Trotta hit the crossbar and in the resulting scramble Doncaster went on the break to score in the final seconds with James Coppinger's goal not only rescuing them from the play-offs but handing them the League One title after leaders AFC Bournemouth could only manage a draw away at Tranmere Rovers.[26] At the end of the season Flynn stood aside and was promoted to Director of Football, where he was replaced by Paul Dickov.[citation needed] Dickov in turn appointed his own coaching staff and named former Manchester City manager Brian Horton as his assistant resulting in Jones relinquishing his coaching duties and returning to be a full-time member of the playing squad.[27] Jones took over as caretaker manager when Dickov was dismissed on 8 September 2015,[28] and remained in charge until Darren Ferguson took over as manager on 18 October.[29] Jones left Doncaster by mutual consent on 1 February 2016.[30]
