Goalkeeper Ashlee Jones came through the ranks at Queens Park Rangers before moving to Southampton’s infamous youth setup where he was fortunate enough to play alongside the likes of Theo Walcott, Nathan Dyer, Leon Best, Adam Lallana and even Gareth Bale- amongst many others. Jones, who now plies his trade in the Skrill Conference North at Lowestoft, won promotion with the Trawlerboys last season after beating AFC Hornchurch 3-0 at Crown Meadow in May.

Ashlee Jones was kind enough to spare a few moments of his time to conduct an interview with the BallWinner.net about a various range of subjects that included where the keeper had began his footballing career; whether there were any nerves heading into last seasons play off final; whether there were any doubts when it came to signing up for another season at Lowestoft and whether Lowestoft being allocated in the Conference North for the forthcoming season will be a strain on him, personally.

Jones, who was crowned “Man of the Match” in Lowestoft’s Play Off Final against AFC Hornchurch, was quizzed on where he began his Footballing career and what position he preferred playing as a youngster.

“I started off at Ridgeway Rovers (where David Beckham played as a Youth) and then after that I went to a better local team called Interwood. I actually played up front and only went in goal for 5-a-side tournaments when I needed to. One season when we didn’t have a Goalkeeper so I chose to give it a proper go at 14 years old! QPR was next but then I was approached by Southampton and went there for what was supposedly just a week but then eventually stayed there for a year because I did so well.”

Jones, who was born in Walthamstow, began his Senior Career at Rushden & Diamonds before moving to clubs such as Basingtoke, Harrow Borough, Wycombe Wanderers and then rather surprisingly, Darlington. Which geographically was further North than the Goalkeeper had traveled before. When asked how that specific move came around, Jones was straight forward with his answer.

“I was training with Crystal Palace at the time and one of their former players (Crystal Palace) who had moved to Darlington recommended me to their manager at the time and they invited me for a trial, which was successful.”

Further in Jones’ career, he made a move to Canvey Island where the Keeper managed to play 41 times over the 2012-13 season, evidently catching the eye of the Lowestoft staff who wanted the 26 year old to join their side. Jones went on to make an incredible 25 clean sheets in the Trawlerboys promotion winning campaign and declared that he and his team mates had no nerves when heading into the Playoff final against AFC Hornchurch.

“No, there were no nerves at all. Me and the boys were just eager to prove a lot of people that doubted us wrong and put on a show for the fans and our families that attended the game.”

When quizzed as to whether Jones wanted away from Lowestoft and whether there were other “offers on the table”- Jones stated unanimously that he only had one thing on his mind when it came to the 2014-15 season and the reasoning behind staying with the Trawlerboys.

“The main thing when it came to re-signing was my team mates that have made me welcome from day one and have made the journey alot easier. I have to include the Chairman and Management in this as they were continuously speaking to me, making sure I was alright with certain things and trying to help me. But of course there was the factor of the fans also. The fans have been behind the boys throughout the season!”

One of the final questions posed to Jones was whether the fact that Lowestoft’s allocation into the Conference North, rather than the Conference South would affect him on a personal level before probing into the players own expectations for the up and coming season.

“It’s going to be hard, but I was reassured by the club before the season ended. The only reason I wouldn’t re-sign with the club would have been if I had interest from a club at a higher level; which I think is understandable for any player who still has aspirations.”

“In terms of this season’s expectations, we haven’t started yet so as a team we haven’t set any goals or expectations. Personally, I always have personal goals for each season.”

All in all, it was a pleasure to speak to Ashlee Jones and the 26 year old will begin pre-season training this month with his club Lowestoft, before beginning the season with friendlies against Gorleston, Needham Market, Wroxham and other sides before heading into the Skrill Conference North campaign in August.