Jones: My Last Season
By Chris Barney, Llanelli Star
Matthew Jones will relive his Champions League dream on Tuesday - but has revealed this will be his last year in the game. The former Wales international made a shock return to football last September by signing for hometown club Llanelli.
Jones - who was forced to retire from the game in 2004 - helped the club to a league and cup double, which has produced Champions League football at Llanelli for the first time.
And Jones, who was part of the Leeds United team that reached the competition's semi-finals seven years ago, is hoping to play his part in another historic night for Llanelli in his final season. Jones will form part of the squad that takes on Latvian champions Ventspils at Stebonheath Park on Tuesday (6.35pm).
The Morfa product is relishing his return to the competition, but back complaints mean he won't be back for next season's tournament should Llanelli retain their league crown.
The 27-year-old played through the pain barrier last season, and he has decided to do so again for the next 12 months.
"Playing football again has meant so much to me," said Jones. "I had the option of possibly playing in the Champions League and then calling it a day, but I couldn't do that to the club.
"I have a great relationship with the club and I want to help them retain the league title and win the Welsh Cup and League Cup. I have to be realistic though. I am in pain the morning after every game and, although I am loving every second of every game, quality of life is more important.
"After a year I want to be able to go to the gym, play five-a-side with my mates and have a kickabout with my son in the garden. If I continued to play for a few years I don't think I'd be able to do that. But this time around it will be a little easier to come to terms with it as it is my decision."
Jones signed a new one-year full-time contract this week. He will also return part of his wage packet for every game he fails to play.
"I think I've worked out what the Welsh Premier League is about and I started to adjust more at the tail end of last season," he said. "I think I'm in a position now where I can tell Nico (manager Peter Nicholas) that I'm ready to start, rather than put me on for 20 minutes. It's going to be a long season, but at the moment we are all focused on Tuesday night.
"It's a massive game for not only the club, but the town as well. I think we have a great chance of moving on to the next round. "I've played in the Champions League with Leeds, but playing in the tournament with Llanelli - my hometown club - means that little bit more to me."
