'A real shame' - Why Harrogate Town have parted ways with ex-Shrewsbury Town attacker Sam Jones

Simon Weaver says it is a “real shame” that Sam Jones’ move to Harrogate Town did not work out.
Sam Jones' last appearance in a Harrogate Town shirt came at Maidenhead United in September, 2019. Picture: Matt KirkhamSam Jones' last appearance in a Harrogate Town shirt came at Maidenhead United in September, 2019. Picture: Matt Kirkham
Sam Jones' last appearance in a Harrogate Town shirt came at Maidenhead United in September, 2019. Picture: Matt Kirkham

The 28-year-old former Shrewsbury and Grimsby Town attacker has had his contract terminated by mutual consent less than a year after arriving at Wetherby Road.

A proven goal-scorer at League Two and National League level, Jones made just two starts and four substitute appearances for Town, finding the back of the net once.

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“It’s a real shame that it hasn’t worked out for Sam here. He's a nice lad and I really thought he could have been a very, very good player for us,” boss Weaver said.

“He just never really got going. He’ll probably feel that he didn’t have as many chances as he deserved, but the way things have panned out just shows that what happened at Shrewsbury and the lack of opportunities there really knocked him.

“He needed a run of games that I couldn’t guarantee him and unfortunately, when you look at your budget in the current circumstances, it almost becomes a business decision.

“We came to an arrangement so he could have a fresh start somewhere else. I think it’s the best thing for both us and for Sam, who just needs to be playing games.”

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The writing has been on the wall for quite some time, with Weaver long-since admitting that Jones was way down the pecking order, and his exit will come as little surprise to the Town faithful.

He hadn’t been seen in a Harrogate shirt since he scored in a 1-1 draw at Maidenhead back on September 21 and was only included in a match-day squad twice thereafter.

Briefly loaned out to Solihull Moors in December, Jones then made a temporary switch to North Yorkshire rivals York City, but the 2019/20 season was curtailed by the coronavirus crisis before he had much chance to make an impression at Bootham Crescent.

He still had another year to run on his contract at Town, and although he was apparently prepared to fight for his place next term, Weaver was open about the fact that he didn’t expect the ex-Leeds United youngster to figure in his plans.

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“From what Sam said, I think he was prepared to come back next season and roll up his sleeves and fight for a place in the team,” Weaver added.

“I could have said that we’d start off again with a blank canvas, but I’d have been lying. If I’m honest, there were others who were ahead of him.

“His path was blocked by the forwards we already have and we’re still on the look-out for another attacking player - one with pace in the same mould as Jack Muldoon - so I just didn’t see Sam getting his chance.”