New boy hopes to make his Mark in derby

TRINITY’S newest recruit says it will be just another day at the office, when he faces his former side Boston United on 2nd February.

Mark Jones agreed a move to the Northolme at the end of last week, leaving the Pilgrims after netting 14 times in black and yellow this season.

The striker was on non contract terms with Boston, and after a seven day approach from Trinity, was persuaded to cross the county to pull on the blue jersey by Trinity boss Steve Housham and chairman Peter Swann.

Speaking to the Standard Jones, 23, said the club’s ambition and the security of a contract – which will see him stick with the Blues until 2014 – convinced him to make the switch.

“One of the main reasons I agreed to move was the security of being given a contract, something Boston couldn’t give me,” he said.

“That wasn’t the deciding factor though, Steve and the chairman talked a lot about the club, their ambition to get promoted and play in the Conference Premier.”

“They got to the play-off final last year and I want to play as high as I can. Hopefully I can score the goals to get them to the play-off final again, and go one better this season.”

Although Jones is cup tied for the FA Trophy, Trinity’s quarter-final against Gateshead or Barrow will not take place this weekend as those two sides are yet to meet, so Jones is in line for a debut at home to Bradford Park Avenue – weather permitting.

After the long trip to Workington on Tuesday night, all eyes will turn to the Lincs derby on the Northolme on 2nd February, when the Blues will seek revenge for a 2-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Boston earlier in the season.

For Jones, it will be a chance to prove to his new fanbase that he’s now a true Blue.

“It will be an interesting game for me,” he said.

“I’ve just left the club, but I don’t think there will be any hard feelings, I got a lot of support from the fans when I made the move, which you don’t usually get moving to a rival club.”

“But I’ve got a job to do and if I’m starting, it’s all about scoring goals and getting the win for Gainsborough Trinity.”

Introducing himself to the Northolme faithful with a goal or two this weekend would be an ideal start to his Gainsborough career, after spells with Deeping Rangers, Corby Town and Boston.

But he gave a preview of what they can expect with a description of his usual style of play.

“I’ve got a lot of movement in my game, I like to play off the shoulder and beat the offside trap because I’ve got a bit of pace.”

“But I’m just over 6ft 2ins so I can play as a targetman as well.”

And he’s already been welcomed to the Trinity set-up by his new team-mates, almost all of whom are unfamiliar faces for him.

“I’ve spoken to Yatesy before because he was at Boston, but the rest are new faces pretty much, which is a new thing for me at a club,” he said.

“We trained on Saturday though in an indoor facility and the lads were all brilliant and made me feel very welcome.”