“The experience this season can push us on”

Callum Jones talks to Gareth Morgan about signing to the Club for another season.

Callum Jones says there was never any doubt he would sign a contract to keep him at the Club for another season.

The centre forward became a firm fan favourite thanks to his never-say-die attitude, work-rate and goals. He scored 15 goals in 24/25, winning the Golden Boot as well as Home and Away Supporters’ Player of the Season.

While some fans were concerned that he might be one to leave at the end of the season when promotion slipped away at the final hurdle, for Callum, 25, his commitment was never in doubt.

He said: “I was going to stay whether we went up or not. I was so well received by everyone at the Club, from staff to teammates. I love it here.

“The fans took to me really well, too. Winning the Home and Away Supporters’ awards meant a lot to me. I’ve only been here for one season, but to see how well I was received, made it an easy decision.

“I have so many family members coming to the games. I had about 30 people at the Play-off Final and that’s because, one, I’ve enjoyed it so much and two, because of how well I’ve been received.”

The relationship with Manager Ady Pennock was another huge reason for Callum wanting to stay.

He continued: “There were other clubs I could have looked at, but Ady has been a massive reason for me enjoying it here. How much trust he’s put in me.

“To play every league game was huge. I’ve had so many injuries in the past which meant my seasons were always stop-start.”

What some fans may not have known is that Callum was playing through the pain barrier over the last month.

He said: “I was in agony for the last four and five weeks with back issues. I saw doctors and was on all sorts of medication, so to get through the season and play every league game was a big accomplishment.”

While the season didn’t finish in the way that Callum or his teammates would have hoped, he is already thinking of the season ahead.

He added: “It was an up-and-down season, but from where we started off to where we came, you couldn’t have asked for more from the players. Losing in the Play-off Final was hard to take, but getting that far and the experience of the season can only help us push on.

“The facilities are really high-level, the stadium and everything around it, is set for the higher level we have been before. Now, we have to try to do one better than this season, so whether that’s the title or win the play-off final, I’d take either.

“If we can keep as many of the squad together from last season,  I think we have a very good chance.”

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