Hi Jon first of all i would just like to take the time out to thank you for taking part in this interview it is much appreciated by myself and the viewers of my blog.
First of all we will talk about your time with the owls Jon
You came through the academy system at hillsborough and made your debut against Gillingham coming on for Gerald Sibon , What do you remember about the game and how did you feel to be making your debut ?
I remember thinking the game wasn’t going to be on, we’d travelled on the Friday for a Saturday cup tie which was called off for a frozen pitch and really the weather hadn’t changed by the Tuesday but the game went ahead on an icy pitch. I was still really excited at being named on the bench and although it wasn’t until we were 4-1 down that I was called by Chris Turner to go on, I couldn’t wait. I remember running on and try to get a touch. I chased the right back and slipped on the ice when I try to stop. I attempted an overhead kick late on in the game but to b honest the result and circumstances weren’t too important to me, I’d got an appearance for Sheffield Wednesday and that was enough.
Your next appearence in the famous blue and white was coming on as 90th minute sub on the final day of the 02-03 season in a 2-1 victory over wallsall , How did it feel to be stepping onto the hallowed S6 turf as a first team player ?
In a way by then I was a little disappointed to have not had a chance before that game as we had been relegated in the previous weeks and I was still scoring regular for both reserves and the U19’s but as before all I could think about was getting on and all though it was only for a few minutes I put myself about, trying to introduce myself to the fans and if Lloyd (owusu) had squared the ball instead of shooting from an impossible angle I may have marked my home debut with a goal. It wasn’t to be but I was still happy to have played at the ground I’d been visiting as a fan for so many years before.
Jon in action for Sheffield Wednesday
You left wednesday to join York City on loan although you failed to scored you were recalled back after an injury crisis and put straight into the squad what do you remember about the time ?
I really enjoyed my time at York, I was a little unlucky to not have scored but the management, players and fans of York were brilliant with me and I’d been starting games in league football which was a brilliant time in my development as a player and it taught me a lot. When I was recalled I was quite gutted to be leaving York but excited as I thought I’d be getting my opportunity at Wednesday to show my worth. I went in to the squads but didn’t play for around 5weeks which was frustrating as could’ve been playing games at York but when I did get my chance at Rushden I grabbed it and was on cloud 9 as I went on a run of games and felt like I was a real part of the team.
You finished the season with 2 goals to your name which were a header against Luton Town and long range effort against QPR , What did it feel like to score for wednesday ?
After not scoring in my first few games I wasn’t really getting too bothered with it, I was just enjoying playing for my team in some big games and I felt I was contributing and doing well, but I was dropped for a few games which hurt a bit but as a young player you don’t really see the big picture and so I went back to reserve football and waiting for another chance. When it came and we played Luton away my dad had told me he’d had a feeling I was going to play me and score. I don’t usually take much notice of things like that but on this day he was right and seeing the header go in was amazing. There was no real celebration, the lads all swarmed on me and were joking about saying ‘bout time’, but I didn’t care I’d put Sheffield Wednesday ahead and was really happy, until the 2nd half when we threw away the 2 goal lead and lost 3-2! My 2nd goal felt unbelievable, although we lost 3-1 to QPR who went on to be promoted after that game, I scored at Hillsborough in front of almost 30,000 and felt like I was starting establish myself in the team. My family and friends all watching, it was easily one of the best days of my career if not, the best.
After that you was rewarded with a new contract at the club did you sense the chance to start to make a name for yourself ?
I felt I had, and I wanted to stay and play for Sheffield Wednesday but I also said I didn’t want to sign and then come back and be 4th or 5th choice behind new signings. I was assured if I came back playing the same way I wouldn’t be. I think I was a bit naïve back then in believing the manager but I was happy to do so to stay at the club. I trained hard and scored in almost every reserve game I played in but I wasn’t getting a look in in the first team, I asked to go on loan and wasn’t allowed and by October Chris Turner was sacked.
You eventually left the club when being told by then manager Paul Sturrock you would not be rewarded with another deal , How did it feel being released from Sheffield Wednesday ?
Paul Sturrock came in, the squad was told everyone would get a chance and after a month without one I went and asked what going to happen and was told I was down the pecking order and the club would let me leave and find a club. That was hard to hear and maybe I should have stuck it out and maybe waited for a chance but being told by my club after 8 years that I wasn’t wanted anymore hurt and I left the next day.
Who in your opinion was the best player you had the pleasure of playing with during your time at the club ?
It’s difficult as we had some great players, especially when I first started training and getting involved with the first team. Players like Andy Hinchcliffe and Des Walker were legends of the game and I was going from watching them week in week out to training with them and chewing their ears off with questions. I only had a brief spell with those players and then Sibon with his laid back style and unbelievable power was great some days terrible the next. Sid (Simon Donelly) was great to watch, he a one of the best 1st touches I’ve seen. Brunty’s left foot in training and on a Saturday on free kicks, there’s no surprise he’s in the Prem now. Kevin Pressman will never be surpassed as the best keeper for shot stopping, kicking and all round game. Prezzy is a top bloke as well, always willing to talk and help whenever he could. I could to name a lot of players, but saying all that, the biggest influence and easiest to play with was Mark Robins, I played with him at the back end of the season and then when I moved to Burton knowing he was there was a big pull. His movement and talking on the pitch taught me a lot.
Now we know all about your time with wednesday let's talk about your current club Gateshead town
You are currently with Gateshead town after spells with Burton , Halifax & Rochdale to name a few how did the move to your current employers materialise ?
After a good start at Burton which petered off, and great, but brief spell at Halifax. I thought my league career was going to get back on track at Rochdale, but a few injuries I had a few loan moves to keep myself playing and scoring. When the opportunity to leave came up I moved to a big club for our standard in Mansfield but the club had a big squad and it was a case of seeing out the season. I had another year on my contract but Gateshead came in and Mansfield allowed me to leave for free. Since being up, after a injury hit 1st pre-season I never really got fit but managed to score 21 goals, this year I’ve had a full pre-season and feel good which has left me feeling comfortable in myself and I’m playing in a creative team and attacking formation and got 19 in 21 so far.
The head currently sit in 6th place on a respectable 34 points after 19 games , How do you rate your chances of gaining promotion into the league ?
I think for us to aim for winning the league would be unrealistic, especially with some of the teams and budgets we have to compete with, however the play offs are a target and achievable goal for us. Once you’re in those it’s a lottery but on our day we can beat anyone in this league as we’ve shown in my time at the club, so were quietly confident of making them and seeing where we can get to.
Your in a rich vein of personal form that has seen you score 16 goals and currently leading the charts for the leagues golden boot , Is this down to anything in particular such as good service or just a change in training methods ?
I think as we play an attacking 4-3-3 and I’m down the middle, a lot of our service in to the box is there for me to attack, then its down to my movement and desire to score. Also though, with being as fit as I’ve been for a few years and a little older and wiser, I’m more comfortable in my game and feel like I’m going to get chances most weeks and that I’ll take them more often than not.
Jon scoring for Gateshead against Tamworth
Thank you for your time Jon and i wish you the best of luck in your promotion challenge and hope come the end of the season im sending you a message of congratulations on both the promotion & Golden boot front.
Jon can be found on twitter here - Jon Shaw - Twitter
Cheers
Tommy
