Bolton Wanderers vs MK Dons

“It’s something we say as players.
To come in and play for a massive
club like Bolton is something we
enjoy every single day.”
Another record recently achieved is
the run of clean sheets Wanderers
have racked up at the University of
Bolton Stadium.
Surpassing a club-best which had
stood since the early 1930s, the
Whites haven’t conceded a goal
at the University of Bolton Stadium
since the start of December.
Goalkeeper James Trafford and his
defensive allies have clocked up
eight successive home shut-outs,
including six in the league, to
underpin a winning home run which
could extend to five games against
the Dons this evening.
“It’s something we’ve been really
working hard on,” said Jones, who
has played his part in a variety
of defensive roles to help the
Whites seamlessly overcome
injury absences and changes in
personnel.
“We’ve been getting a lot of clean
sheets and our home form has
been incredible since the new year.
“We want to make it hard for teams
to come to play. Cheltenham made
it difficult for us here last time but
we found a way to win.
“That’s one thing the manager
has always said: if teams make it
difficult just find a way to win. The
most important thing in the end is
that three points.”
Which brings us to the final number.
Last week Jones presented a
cheque worth £35,496 to the Darby
Rimmer MND Foundation as a 25
per cent share of the money raised
by the Jones family as a result of
their own battle with one of the
most cruel of conditions.
Karen Jones – mum to Gethin,
Dylan and Ela and husband of
Gareth – sadly lost her fight almost
a year ago after an initial diagnosis
in July, 2021.
Wanderers, family and friends
rallied around to support an appeal
designed to raise funds for the
care and treatment of Karen and
to contribute to the wider struggle
against MND through the Darby
Rimmer Foundation, co-founded by
former Whites’ defender Stephen
Darby.
That fight will go on, with Jones
as committed on that subject as
he is to Wanderers’ cause as he
continues to honour the memory of
his mum as a model professional
on and off the pitch.
“As a family, we are so grateful for
everyone’s generosity and support.
One thing we said, even after my
mum passed away, was that we
want to keep supporting Darby
Rimmer and the MND Association,”
he said.
“There are a lot of things we want
to keep on doing because it’s a
horrible illness and one we need
to find a cure for and do more
research.
“It’s heart-breaking to see someone
so close to you go away like that.
As a family we still want to help
with all the research we can to find
a cure.
“It’s been difficult for us, but the
club has been so supportive and
the help of Sharon (chairman
Sharon Brittan), the manager, all
the players and the fan-base has
been incredible to keep me
going.
“It’s one thing my mum always
wanted me to do. She was adamant
she wanted me to go and play and
make her proud and that’s what I
try to do every single day.”
Without question, it’s fair to say he
has.
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The Wanderer | 23