By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie
Tyler Jones says he would have no hesitation in making a return to Ashington FC – if the opportunity arose in the future.
The teenage ‘keeper has been a revelation between the posts since he initially joined the Colliers in a loan deal from Newcastle United back in August.
His period with the Woodhorn Lane based club was extended with stoppers Matty Alexander and Joseph Herdman still not fully fit after both suffered hand and ankle injuries respectively on the same night in training.
Jones said: “I’ve loved my time here – the club, the fans, manager Nick Gray and goalkeeping coach Tom Read have been brilliant. Also the whole of the backroom staff, the players, secretary Gav Perry and everyone around the club – I cannot thank them enough. Nick has believed in me as much as he can and I feel like I’ve played really well. Obviously the club are going through a tough time at the moment but I’m sure the lads will get out of it. If we haven’t got a game at Newcastle United on a Tuesday or a Saturday, I’ll definitely be trying to get to as many Ashington games as possible.”
The 17 year old, who was born in Easington Colliery, believes his stint in Wansbeck has developed his game and it’s more of an au revoir rather than a farewell “I’ve definitely improved quite a lot especially my shot stopping and game management because I can see that in training,” he said, “When you come into men’s football it’s very tough both mentally and physically but I feel as if I’ve dealt with that really well. Earlier in the season when Ashington played Blyth Spartans at Croft Park, there was quite a big crowd there which is not something you get in academy football. It’s really been a great experience for me and has helped me to kick on – but I couldn’t have done it without the aforementioned people. I would have no hesitation in coming back to the club – as they say ‘Once a Collier, always a Collier.’
Manager Nick Gray said: “Tyler has been excellent, I think he’s learned a lot and as a club, I hope we’ve been welcoming to him. Matty Alexander has pushed Tyler over the last couple of weeks and because Tyler has been doing so well, we didn’t have to throw Matty in early doors and risk him having a relapse with his finger.”