BIO

Howard Jones joined Norwood in May 1930 from the Kensington Football Club when he was invited to join the senior training list. 

A speedy wingman, he did not gain selection in the league side in 1930 but played for the Norwood Association Football Club (reserves team) which won the association premiership. On the 4th September, Jones won the trophy for best player in the final against West Adelaide and the following week was again named as best on the ground in the challenge final against Port Adelaide.

In 1931 Jones made his debut for the league team in the fifth round against South Adelaide and although he played only three games for the year, he was selected on a wing for the first semi-final against North Adelaide which Norwood lost by 31 points.

The following year Jones again featured in the association side and was only selected for one league game. He did however win the “fairest and most brilliant” award for the association club. 

In 1933 Jones could not break into the senior side until the major round when he was selected in the league team for the replay of the drawn semi-final against North Adelaide. Norwood won the game by one point and Jones retained his place on a wing for the preliminary final against Sturt. Norwood won by five points with Jones listed among the best players. 

The following week he was named on a wing for the Grand Final against West Torrens but, before a record crowd of 35,000, Norwood was defeated 13.10 to 9.11.

Jones was selected for the opening round of the league season in 1934 against South Adelaide with Norwood losing by 23 points, but a knee injury kept him out of the following week’s game against West Adelaide. He returned, after several association games, for the eighth round against South Adelaide and then played a further five games bringing his total league appearances for the year to eight, his highest season tally for the club.

In July 1934 Jones was a member of the Norwood team which travelled to Port Pirie for a game against the Port Pirie Association and in October played in an exhibition match against North Adelaide in Murray Bridge. 

Howard Jones appears to have been one of those players perpetually on the verge of selection but never quite able to secure a permanent place in the league team. He continued to play association football for Norwood in 1935, bringing his total number of reserves games to 60 with 9 goals

W Heading Sept 2021