Source: FOOTYMAD
Shots Sign Defender
Aldershot Town have confirmed that they have signed Hereford United defender Darren Jones. Hereford United defender Darren Jones has put pen to paper and signed for The Shots. The Welshman is confirmed as being manager Kevin Dillon's first pre-season signing. In the clubs official press release, the player is described as being a strong, tough-tackling centre half, who was born in Newport and represented Wales at both schoolboy and youth level. The 26-year-old began his career as a scholar with Bristol City, signing full pro forms in September 2000 and making his debut three months later as a late substitute against Plymouth Argyle in a Football League Trophy first round tie. Four more appearances (two in the aforementioned competition plus two in Division 2) followed in 2001-02 before he was loaned to Forest Green Rovers for the bulk of the 2002-03 campaign. In August 2003, Jones went on a three-month loan to Cheltenham Town, during which time he scored his first senior goal (against Leyton Orient in the month of his arrival). He had a second loan spell at Forest Green in November 2003 before making a permanent move into non-league, when joining hometown club Newport County on a free transfer in February 2004. He went on to make over 50 appearances for the Exiles, but was released in December 2005 and took a break from the game. He made his playing return the following March when signing permanently for Forest Green, who were managed by future Aldershot Town assistant manager Gary Owers. He moved back into the Football League in June 2009, when swapping the New Lawn for Hereford United's Edgar Street and went on to make 46 appearances in all competitions for the Bulls before leaving to sign for The Shots. Speaking to the clubs official site, Dillon said: "Darren is a great signing for us he fits the bill as he can play in a number of positions. He can play in midfield or right back but is known as a centre half. He really impressed when he played against us for Hereford last season. "Gary [Owers] knows him well and we found that bringing in players that we knew worked really well for us during the last campaign. We lacked cover in certain areas during the season and signing Darren will help us in that respect this time around." There is no news as to the length of the contract, but we will update our Player Contract page as soon as any information is discovered.
