
CIAREN JONES INTERVIEW
Ciaren Jones is now the captain of Hitchin Town and he is keen to carry on what Charlie Horlock had started by agreeing to be interviewed on a regular basis to keep supporters in touch with what is happening in the dressing room and on the pitch. So I spoke to Ciaren this week to review the season so far and to look ahead to the future.
I started by getting details of Ciaren’s career so far. He was signed up by the Brentford academy when he was eleven and stayed there for eighteen months before being released after an injury lay off. He then joined the Luton academy until he was eighteen. He was due to try his luck in America but in his last game for Luton he was scouted by Norwich. The game was on a Wednesday, he was contacted on the Thursday and had a trial on the Friday. He was signed on a contract for Norwich under 23’s. He played in the Premier League 2 against some top Premier League teams . Ciaren was at Norwich from July 2018 to January 2020. He left for America in February but returned to England as Covid hit the world. Football was on hold due to Covid but when it restarted Ciaren went to Scotland and then Gloucester.
It was Mark Burke who approached Ciaren to come to Hitchin and he played his first game in October 2020. So well did Ciaren play in the 2021/22 season that he won the Manager’s, Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the year awards in a remarkable clean sweep. He joined Brackley in the National League but his chances were hindered by a 6 week injury lay-off. But having got back in the team the manager was sacked and his successor chose not to select Ciaren so he returned to Top Field.
So on to this season and Ciaren is well aware our late reprieve really adversely affected the start to the season. Many of the new signings were from step 4 football and this meant our squad had a real lack of experienced step 3 players which Ciaren felt was needed to help the newcomers. Seven straight league defeats told its own story and confidence obviously took a hit. Even so Ciaren felt we deserved better reward particularly from the games at Telford and at home to Bishops Stortford. Injuries were also a real problem.
Ciaren was ‘’confused’’ to be left out of the squad at Barwell having only found out on the day. He watched a dismal performance from the stand and was recalled as captain in the next game. The relationship with manager Brett Donnelly was becoming strained not knowing what was wanted of him and they had agreed to go their separate way. Ciaren was ready to sign for another club in the Central division but that week Brett was relieved of his duties and replacement Michael Jones immediately contacted Ciaren to change his mind and stay at Hitchin. Michael made Ciaren captain, a role he really wanted and ever since his form has been back to where it used to be and he is enjoying his football again.
Ciaren certainly prefers the Michael Jones style of football which he feels is bringing the best out of the squad. The players have responded to the coaching of Michael, Steve Gleeson and Kieran Forbes who have shown more empathy than was the case earlier in the season. but there is real frustration that results have not matched performances in recent games. We have tightened up at the back but we obviously need to take more of our chances and score more goals. Ciaren feels we can beat any team in the league and cited performances at Bedford and at home to Telford to show how we are at the same level as the top teams.
Ciaren says the dressing room atmosphere is excellent and the players remain confident. There are plenty of games left and we can take heart at how Sudbury avoided relegation last year having appeared doomed. There is no panic and the players remain confident we can start to get the results to match the performances.
Ciaren was quick to praise the supporters and says their great support has lifted the players. He thought the Telford game was the loudest and best atmosphere this season and the players are so grateful the supporters have remained loyal despite the results. At the end of a game now players high five supporters behind the goal. This started at Banbury and brings players and supporters closer together.
Ciaren was very impressive in this interview. He obviously cares about the club, respects the supporters and is determined to lead the team to better times.
By Roy Izzard