Steve Jones

Steven Gary Jones (born 17 March 1970) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Career Jones started his footballing career at non-League clubs Basildon United and then Billericay Town. He had been working at a local soap factory and earning £250 per week before moving to West Ham who increased his wages to £400 per week.

He moved to West Ham United in November 1992 for £22,500 rising to £45,000 based on appearances, and made his first senior appearance for the East London club in a reserve fixture against Southampton on 17 November 1992. He made his first-team debut away to Cosenza Calcio 1914 in the Anglo-Italian Cup on 8 December 1992, and set up the only goal of the game for Clive Allen. His first goal for the club came against Barnsley in a 1–1 home draw on 6 February 1993, ten minutes into his full Football League First Division debut. Jones also scored against Peterborough three days later in a 2–1 home win for the Hammers.

Jones made just three Premier League starts and five appearances as a substitute during the 1993–94 campaign. In October 1994 he joined AFC Bournemouth.

In January 1996, after a successful spell at the south coast club, West Ham manager Harry Redknapp again brought the player back to Upton Park for a fee of £200,000, with Mark Watson moving to Dean Court. He played in their dramatic win over Sunderland in the 1998 play-off final, winning 7–6 on penalties after a 4–4 draw. He had been nominated as the eighth penalty taker, if required.

After another short spell at Bournemouth, Jones moved to Bristol City for fee of £425,000 and then had loan spells at Brentford, Southend United and Wycombe Wanderers. He became player-coach for Isthmian League team Hornchurch in June 2002. Jones was forced to retire from professional football due to injury.

Personal life Jones is the founder of Langdon Pumas, a youth football club in Basildon.