'Loved it' - Gethin Jones on facing Barnsley with Bolton & how loan led to Everton departure
14.10.2022 - 07:17
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Gethin Jones admits he 'loved' his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers' next opponents Barnsley and believes it was what convinced him to leave Everton to seek a career in men's football.
Jones spent the second half of the 2016/17 season at Oakwell in what was his second loan spell away from Goodison Park. The Wanderers vice-captain played 17 times in the Championship under Paul Heckingbottom.
Speaking ahead of the clash this Saturday at the University of Bolton Stadium, Jones has reflected on his time at Oakwell and admitted he loved his time at the Yorkshire side. His time there included playing against the likes of Leeds United and Newcastle.
READ MORE: Bolton boss Ian Evatt on Barnsley expectations, strikers message, defeats response & team news
The move convinced him it was time to head on to pastures new from Everton, where he came through the youth team ranks, but injury put a transfer on hold until January 2018, when he eventually headed to Fleetwood Town. His time from playing in the Championship has made him determined to play back there with Wanderers.
He said: “I loved it there. That was my second loan I think, I was at Plymouth at 19 and then I went to Barnsley when I was 21, 22. I loved it there, I was only there half a season but it was my first taste of Championship football. I played in some amazing games, Leeds, which was the big derby for Barnsley, Newcastle and it’s a great club.
“It’s good to see them doing well again this season, so it’ll be an interesting test for us on Saturday.
“We had a really good strong squad then. We had Conor Hourihane who was there at the time and before he signed for Aston Villa. We had some big players there so I enjoyed my time there.
"I remember when I went back to