Defender can’t wait to begin third spell at One Call Stadium.
New signing Luke Jones admits he is buzzing to be back at Mansfield Town.
The centre-back, who is known for his aerial dominance in both penalty boxes, was unveiled as our first summer signing after he penned a deal with the club earlier today.
Jones re-joins us having opted to leave Stevenage – a club for whom he made 33 appearances during the 2013/14 campaign.
“I’m buzzing and it’s brilliant to be back,” said Jones.
“I’ve got such fond memories of the place – especially in the year when we won the championship, so I’m delighted to be back and raring to go.”
Jones played a crucial part in our title-winning Conference Premier campaign in 2012/13, chipping in with some vital goals at vital times, whilst cementing his position at centre-half with some excellent defensive displays.
The 27-year-old, who netted eight goals from 32 league appearances, still finds it difficult to put into words our achievements during that season.
He continued: “It was unbelievable. Obviously we had ups and downs throughout the season, but we really did come strong after Christmas-time and put the run together that everyone remembers.
“It was just unbelievable and you can’t put it into words really – the last two games, Hereford, where it was on a knife-edge, and Wrexham, the atmosphere was unbelievable.
“It went from being loud with the fans behind us to where you could hear a pin-drop in the stadium. It was really that tense at the end of the season.
“These are memories that, as a player, will stay with you forever. They’re fond memories in my mind and a big reason why I want to come back here.”
Jones also shared his memories of that intense night of captivating drama at Edgar Street, when Matt Green’s last-gasp strike propelled us to the top of the table with just one match remaining.
“I’d say [it was one of the best days of my life]. Towards the end of that game it looked as though we just really weren’t going to find a way through.
“It was on a knife-edge and had we not got the result we needed in that game, I really think we’d have struggled, but that man ‘Greenie’ [Matt Green] popped up as he did a lot that season.
“The celebrations at the end of it were absolutely madness. The fans were on the pitch and it was just such a jubilant thing. We hadn’t won the league yet, so it was crazy, but it was like we knew that fate was taking its place.
“We knew that winning that game set us up for a big, big game and coming back home to win the championship.”
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