Nathan Jones makes a surprise appearance for 12th tier club Cranborne FC just a week after the sacking by Premier League side Southampton.
Just one week after being axed by the Saints, Nathan Jones switched the top flight of English football for the Dorset Football League, stunning those in attendance.
After making his debut for Cranborne, the 49-year old took to the pitch, helping his teammates beat Wareham Rangers Reserves 4-0.
Nathan Jones playing Dorset division 1 after getting sacked 😂 #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/VaqIiCgF4X
— nick (@nick17clifford) February 18, 2023
He made an immediate impression for the side, however, sadly for him, the former Yeovil, Southend, and Brighton footballer turned manager had to leave the game within ten minutes having injured his calf.
Alfie House, a reporter for the Daily Echo, reports that Jones assisted Cranborne for one of their goals, their opener.
He is said to be close friends with one member of the squad and was happy to help the club out, with the result seeing Cranborne move up to the fourth place in the Dorset League Division One thanks to this win.
The club tweeted after going 1-0 up: “And it’s a goal early on! Debutant Nathan Jones puts a great cross in from the left, and Driscoll scores!”
@AlfieHouseEcho said: “Great respect for former Southampton boss Nathan Jones playing for Dorset Div 1 Cranborne, to be fair… 😅 Told he’s good friends with one of the players and came in to help out. Set up a goal before coming off. Can’t argue with that. #SaintsFC”
Jones was relieved from his duties on the 12th of February, after only 14 games as a manager and having won one Premier League match.
Jones wasn’t missed by Southampton in their first match without him, going on to win 1-0 at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea on Saturday.
And it’s a goal early on! Debutant Nathan Jones puts a great cross in from the left, and Driscoll scores!
— Cranborne FC (@fc_cranborne) February 18, 2023
JONES’ PLAYING CAREER:
Youth career
1990–1991 – Cardiff City
Senior career
1991–1992 – Maesteg Park
1992–1993 – Ton Pentre
1993–1995 – Merthyr Tydfil
1995 – Luton Town
1995–1996 – Badajoz – 21 games (1 goal)
1996–1997 – Numancia – 18 games (0 goals)
1997–2000 – Southend United – 114 games (3 goals)
1999 → Scarborough (loan) – 8 games (0 goals)
2000–2005 – Brighton & Hove Albion – 183 (7 goals)
2005–2012 – Yeovil Town – 211 games (2 goals)
2023 – Cranborne – 1 game (0 goals)
Total – 555 games (14 goals)
SEE MORE: Nathan Jones mocked over interview after Wolves defeat as fan taunts boss with giant P45
This is what social media users had to say as Nathan Jones makes a surprise appearance for a 12th tier club a week after the sacking by Southampton…
@carlpoore1: Last Saturday managing @SouthamptonFC this Saturday playing for the mighty Cranes. Brilliant
@C0AKESY: About the standard he should be managing too. #SaintsFC
@B_webb2003: If they lose its just because he let the rest of them choose the system
@GregSmallPT: Fair play to him
@OnlyGiles: Knock him for being over promoted that was entirely down to the board . Plus despite his comments, obviously some forget others like Clough etc, he clearly loves the game and doesn’t deserve most of the stick.
@PeteGraydon: @LutonTownExile can you keep your tongue after your earlier statement 🤣🤣 #sorrynotsorry
@Saints_Mike7167: Heard the fittest man in history latest about 10 minutes before going off #TaffLasso #Tosser #SaintsFC
@philexe: I’ve got to be honest, it is about his level!
@paulscallylgl: If you are a Saints fan digging Jones out for this put your head in a fridge. Fair play to him for getting on with things and playing the game he loves.
@james_white83: Bet he had loads of beautiful women waiting for him in the car park
@MNKOTEAM: Fair play 👏
@Busy71E: Well he is the fittest man in the world and best manager in Europe. Must be a superhero….
@MattHookway: Did he take the credit for #saintsfc win yesterday in his post match interview?
@saints_analysis: Strong “I’ll show those players what they’re missing” vibes. He is a unique guy, you have to hand him that #SaintsFC
@John_Pile: Good to see Nathan Jones back in football. With his pay-off from Southampton he can probably afford to buy them a stand, name it after himself and beat his chest in front of it after every game.
@DavidPalman: The fittest man on the planet!
@lagbo13: With the greatest of respect, what a debut
@george_litch: He’s still got it
@RRWB_: He’ll be telling you how statistically nobody in Europe has a better game to assist ratio.
@Superfletch81: I definitely need to get in touch with the appointments secretary and get him to appoint me ref for 1 of his games next month!
@WolfofWhiteley: Back in the lower leagues where he belongs. #SaintsFC
@_cor3h: He’s unironically the most hilarious manager to come into the Prem
@LTFC_Talk: What on earth 😂
@shirleymush: Fair play to him
@marz194_2: Actually, fair play to him. Could stick him for this, but it’s really not needed.
@Conor_SFC: Seen people rinsing him for this. I think it’s class 🤷🏻♂️
@altoniansaint: Found his level than 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@SteveKill1: Best left back in Europe with the greatest respect
@yjw_x: With the greatest of respect…. This is a joke no? 🫣 Found his level, fair play. All the best xo
@jamiehack1: Is he playing in front of his welsh girl
@ryansheridan236: Get the scouts on this Jones bloke @LutonTown
@TFootballFamily: You got to be flaming kidding me??? #saintsfc #JonesOUT Fittest man in Europe subbed after a few minutes!!
@danjarvis91: Fittest man in the Dorset League 🤣
@brianfoley_: Holy shit this is unreal #saintsfc
@Too_Jazzee: Off injured…? But, but I thought he was the fittest human in the world 😂
@Matt_f2: Jesus Christ 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@sfc_jack_: Oh. My. Fucking. God.
@altoniansaint: Out of curiosity, how can he play for another club whilst we are paying his wages? Surely he will be registered with the FA with us until payoff is agreed? Unless we have already paid him off or by playing for another club will he forgo his payoff? @AdamBlackmore @SouthamptonFC
@HarryStokes_93: Don’t think there are any problems. Totally different part of the football pyramid and Cranborne don’t pay players. They play in my division!
@saintbannerman: I thought this was a wind up when I saw it, so did some digging and it is genuinely true. Ex #saintsfc manager, playing in thr Dorset league for Cranborne. Coming off due to injury after a few mins.
With the greatest of respect, it just about sums the entire situation up.
Top tier banter https://t.co/vu1vIXpJzM pic.twitter.com/wJ9xCTqN0Z
— Ollie Kay (@ActualOllieKay) February 19, 2023
— DMGSaints (@PlayzytStyle) February 19, 2023
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