Nicholas Jones

You as a player:

My name is Nicholas Jones and I am 6ft 1", 21 year old Welsh goalkeeper who currently plays for Cinderford Town in the Southern League (step 4). I am currently in my third year of my time at University and doing the 'Sports Coaching' degree at Hartpury University (Gloucester). I am a very bubbly and confident character and am always up for a challenge, I will always work hard in everything I do looking for the maximum outcome of any situation

Playing experience: I've always been a goalkeeper since the day i started playing football when I way 5/6 years old and have always wanted to do the best for my career the older i have got. When i was 9/10 years old I was signed up to Cardiff City development academy where i played at a level which was just below academy football, while playing games for this team I was spotted by Swansea City (My club) and signed 6 weeks later after a successful trial period. During my early teens playing for Swansea was great, watching them play in the Premier League and being able to say I play for my club Swansea was an honour. Them couple of seasons I was there was amazing and improved me immensely.

When I got released I went straight into another Academy set-up at Haverfordwest County (currently play in Welsh PL), and also playing for my local team Camrose where all my friends played. With Camrose we won everything, unbeaten seasons, winning national cups while playing with all me best mates. But with Haverfordwest when I turned 16 and things were getting serious I was breaking into the first team, which i never expected as I was still so young but knew I could definitely play this level and the manager believed that too. Playing for the first team of Haverfordwest was my goal as soon as I was released from Swansea and it felt good to achieve this at such a young age. I then played for them for 2 seasons before deciding to leave and continue my adventure in football and education elsewhere, and this is where I am at now having moved 140 miles away from home to arguably the best footballing set up in University football at Hartpury.

Moving to Hartpury has changed everything for me football wise, like signing up to Soccer Smart opportunities like this I don't think would of ever happened if I went elsewhere. I have improved so much in the 2 and a half years I have been here, and I am way more confident in my ability than I was when I left home. Being from Wales our structure of football leagues is so different and took me time to understand the pyramid system and figure out which level is equivalent to where I was when back home. It was difficult to find teams where I felt confident of going to play and I decided if I want to make a name for myself I have to start somewhere and I did. I signed for Cheltenham Saracens and Brimscombe & Thrupp (Hellenic league) and I enjoyed my seasons there while still playing University football too, But after a few games I knew I can play higher and the opportunity at Cinderford came after playing them in the FA Cup and I knew this was around the level I need to be aiming for. Playing Non-league and University football has definitely helped me l

Nationality: Welsh

DOB: 2/18/2000

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