Tom Jones QNA

 

Recently, I caught up with Tom Jones who is a highly rated centre forward for Stretford Paddock FC and has previously played for Warrington Town FC.

First question Tom, who would you say is the best and also the worst player you've played with so far in your career?

I've played with a lot of top quality lads in my career, but the best that I've played with would probably have to be a child hood friend of mine Joel Atkinson, a lot of the lads at school used to call him messi when we were at school, unbelievably talented, sadly he got injured a lot and stop after we were around 17-18.

In terms of worst player I've played with there isn't many that spring to mind, some Sunday league footballers probably but its been a while since I've played Sunday league. 

What would you say has been the best and worst moment moment in your career?

Best moment of my career was winning the Cheshire Cup with Whittle Hall a team I used to play for, we played awful in the league that season and somehow beat all the best teams in the cup to go on and win it, it was a great run of games. 

Worst moment in my career was probably earlier on when I was quite a shy player and was a lot of the time scared to show my ability, I think it hindered my progress as a footballer as I developed my confidence and playstyle a lot later on in my career.

Tom, If you weren't a football player what would you be doing?

I'd probably be living a very boring life not gonna lie, I'd probably be trying to do something with music as that's my second passion. 

Who is the hardest player you've come up against in terms of power strikers finishing and skill?

Well surprisingly I used to come up against Joel a lot of the time when we were young as he starting playing for a different team then mine, it was frustrating to play against him cause you always knew he could make an impact.

Tom, what would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths are probably my awareness of the game and attacking positioning, amoung other things like shot power and finishing but they are the basics that you need when it comes to being a striker. 

My weakness would be my left foot and overall skill, im not the best on my left foot but I can still do a job, it's something I'm looking to improve day in day out.

If you could go back in time, and re play any game you've played in that you may have made a mistake or lost, what would you choose and why?

If I could go back to any game it'd probably be against Denton in the cup last season, I just wasn't on form that game and I made a lot of silly mistake that could won us the game, its frustrating as a player but in a way its something you have to evaluate and learn from. 

Who is your best mate at your team?

I wouldn't say I have a best mate in the team I get on with all the lads to be honest, as a senior player I like to lead the team at times and be someone who the lads can follow in terms of maturity and punctuality. But I do like to have a laugh aswell with the boys and we've had some good nights out

Tom with covid still hanging around , If you could pick one player to stay with in isolation who do you pick and why?

I'd probably stay in isolation with victor Giminez our goalkeeper, we had a really good night out once and I think we'd be really good mates if we had to isolate together. 

One trophy you want to win?

For me Its got to be the world cup. I couldn't think of any achievement more satisfying then winning the world cup for your country that'd be the dream. 

Tom have you set any targets for the new season and if you have , what are your targets for 2022 , apart from staying injury free and more starts than 2020 and 2021 ?

I'm looking to aim for 20 goals this season, I was injured for a lot of last season and still got 12 goals in 15 games so I'm looking to get 20 or more goals thats the main goal anyway.

Unfortunately, injuries do occur even though no one wants to be injured, but what would you say is the worst injury you have had?

I've had loads of bad injuries, I've broke my ankle, leg, hand. I actually broke my ankle a day before an Everton trial and that was heartbreaking at the time as Everton are my boyhood club. My hamstring has been a problem this season but I'm working on making it better and stronger everyday. 

Final question Tom. What would you say is the one piece of advice you would give to anyone inspiring to become a player like yourself?

I'd say be confident and just enjoy football, at the end of the day it's a game and it's there to be enjoyed. Too many times myself have focus on the occasion not the football and getting the most out of it.

Thanks to Tom, for taking the time out to answer the questions and I wish you all the best for the 2022/2023 season and hopefully you reach 20 goals for Stretford Paddock FC.