Skip to content

David Jones interview: Burnley midfielder on Joey Barton, his Dutch education and Man Utd grounding

Graphic

David Jones has won promotion to the Premier League with three different clubs and is now looking to get back there with Burnley. Adam Bate caught up with him to discuss his early career with Manchester United, a successful loan spell in Holland and what it's like to play alongside Joey Barton...

In some respects, David Jones might be the quintessential English footballer. Having come through the famed Manchester United academy, he has gone on to play for five of the 12 founder members of the Football League in a career that has spanned 300 appearances in the top two divisions.

FL72 Live

However, despite spending his entire career registered to English clubs and playing more than 100 times in the Premier League, it's a brief loan spell with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in 2006 that he remembers with as much fondness as anything else.

Having run into a group of NEC fans in Dortmund several years ago, this writer shouldn't be too surprised. Jones is something of a cult hero at the club where he scored a series of stunning goals - six of them in his 17 appearances - to claim second spot in their player of the year vote.

"My first game was coming on as a substitute against Ajax in the Amsterdam Arena, so I was absolutely buzzing," Jones tells Sky Sports. "I learnt a lot because Dutch football is quite tactical as well so I picked up a lot from the coaches there. It was definitely a trip worth making.

David Jones of Preston celebrates his goal during the Championship match between Ipswich Town and Preston North End in 2005
Image: Jones went 15 games unbeaten on loan at Preston in 2005 before going to Holland

"I'd spent six months at Preston as part of my development and just fancied something different. Rene Meulensteen was a Dutch coach at United and he came up to me and asked if I wanted to experience a different type of football. I jumped at the chance.

"It was one of my favourite times in football. I loved living there and I loved the club. It was so enjoyable for me - just the style of football I was playing. We just did well as a team. I liked the Dutch people and the fans were great, so it ticked a lot of boxes for me."

Also See:

Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United fends off David Jones and Paul Scholes during a training session at Carrington Training Ground on 12 July 2005
Image: Training with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes was a good grounding

Jones had come closer than most to breaking through at Old Trafford. He made his debut off the bench in a League Cup win over Arsenal in 2004 before starting in an FA Cup tie alongside Cristiano Ronaldo the following month. He was sold to Derby at 22 but remains grateful for the experience.

"I often talk about it with (fellow United graduate) Tom Heaton," says Jones. "It's probably second to none in terms of the upbringing and education you get as human beings as well as players. We're very grateful for that. Sometimes you get opportunities that wouldn't come along elsewhere."

David Jones of Manchester United celebrates scoring with team mate Cristiano Ronaldo during a pre-season friendly against Sevilla in 2006
Image: Jones celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring against Sevilla in 2006

Jones went on to win promotion back to the Premier League with Derby and repeated that feat with both Wolves and Burnley. Now he's looking to get back there once again with the Clarets under Sean Dyche, a man who has his utmost respect. "I've learnt a lot from him and I'm still learning," he adds.

"I've got a lot of experience now in the division - and of going up from this division. That's valuable but in our team, there are a lot of players who got promoted last time." Even so, there were early concerns when Burnley went winless through their first four games of the season.

Michael Carrick of Manchester United clashes with David Jones of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match at Molineux on March 6 2010
Image: Jones in action for Wolves against Manchester United's Michael Carrick

"That's what happens in the Championship," says Jones. "It's a tough league. Every team can beat every other team so have you to be up for every game. It's a different challenge. Sometimes it's hard to get the results straight away and it took a few games to get into our stride.

"We had a few people leave in the summer and a few came in. It takes time for new players to fit into the framework of the team, but it's evident now that that's happened and we're playing pretty well. The squad seems to have gelled well together and now we're picking up some good results."

Danny Welbeck of Arsenal and David Jones of Burnley (R) in action
Image: Jones has already enjoyed a season in the Premier League with Burnley

Indeed, Burnley have picked up 30 points from their last 13 games and are up to third in the Championship. Now Jones insists he's enjoying the "momentum of playing Saturday-Tuesday" and it's a run that has coincided with the arrival of the controversial Joey Barton.

The 33-year-old made his Burnley debut with the team 2-0 down at home to Reading. That game couldn't be saved - it ended 2-1 - but Barton has started the next six, with Burnley winning four and drawing two. His partnership with Jones has given Dyche's men control of the midfield.

Burnley's David Jones (left) and Leicester City's Esteban Cambiasso battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley.
Image: In Premier League action against Leicester City's Esteban Cambiasso

"He's got lots of experience," says Jones. "He's come into the team and fitted in. I think we've both done well so it's been enjoyable playing in there. I think everyone knows he's a vocal presence. He's offering good feedback to players and you need talkers on the pitch.

"At the start of the season, it was me and Scotty Arfield in the middle but he's gone out to a wider role with Joey Barton coming in. I think I've now got a bit more freedom with Joey there alongside me. So I've grown into the season and started expressing myself and enjoying it."

Burnley's Joey Barton (right) and Blackburn's Corry Evans challenge for a header
Image: Joey Barton contests a header in the derby against Blackburn as Jones looks on

Talking to Jones, this theme of contentment is a recurring one. At 31, he signed a new two-year contract in the summer - "as soon as I heard about it, I wanted to sign" - and is well aware that promotion this term would therefore give him the chance of one more crack at the top flight.

"Last season, I had a taste of it again," he adds. "You know that it's probably the best league in the world and you want that feeling again. The main thing is being in a successful team, playing well and enjoying it. I'm doing all of those things at the moment.

Tom Cleverly and David Jones battle for the ball
Image: Jones believes Burnley have the quality to get back to the Premier League

"Now it's about helping Burnley achieve what we all want to achieve this season. I think all the ingredients are there but we know how tough it is. There is still a long way to go. But we've got the experience so hopefully we'll be up there."

Burnley v Brighton is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 1pm on Sunday

Get a Sky Sports Week Pass
Get a Sky Sports Week Pass

Watch the Sky Bet Football League live on NOW TV without a contract from £6.99

Around Sky