Luke Jones was signed by Graham Westley in summer 2013 after helping Mansfield Town to the 2012-3 Blue Square Bet Premier title. Despite helping the Stags regain their status as a Football League side, the powerful defender took the chance to leave for pastures new; moving up to League One with the Boro’. With a reputation for an uncompromising approach to defending, it seemed Jones would fit the Westley mould perfectly. And in joining us, it gave the player the chance to demonstrate his capabilities at a higher level.

Luke Jones: Before Boro’

The Darwen-born player had originally started his career with Blackburn Rovers, but was unable to crack the first team code. During his time at Ewood Park, there was a unique chance for him to gain experience overseas with a loan spell at Belgium club Cercle Brugge. But in 2006, he was permitted to leave Blackburn and joined Ashton United.

From there, Jones sought to work his way back up the pyramid and was soon snapped up by Shrewsbury Town. A loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers turned into a permanent switch and Aggborough became his home for the next year. In 2009, he moved to Mansfield for his first stint with the club; a year at Forest Green Rovers and a return to Kidderminster breaking up his two stays at Field Mill.