Toffee Gethin's Glad to Tyke His Chance

YORKSHIRE derby, a packed house, an electric atmosphere and a big three points – Gethin Jones’ first taste of Championship football with Barnsley was something to remember.

- Matt Badcock

The 21-year-old made his debut in the Tykes’ 3-2 win against Leeds United last month just two days after joining on loan from Everton.

It was a baptism of fire for the Toffees’ U23 captain to say the least, but walking off the pitch at the final whistle he knew making the move to Oakwell was a good choice.

“It’s a massive fixture,” Jones told The FLP. “I joined on the Thursday, trained that day and found out I was starting against Leeds on the Saturday.

“I haven’t experienced anything like that before. It’s such a big derby. You take the atmosphere in when you’re warming up and just before you walk out for kick-off.

“When the first whistle goes you sort of forget about the atmosphere and concentrate on the game.

“It was stop-start because there were a few flares going off, but, other than that, it was unbelievable.”

Having fractured four metatarsals part way through last season, ruling him out for five months, Jones was targeting a temporary loan move into the Championship this year.

Challenges