Former Bristol Rovers defender makes switch to National League after gas release

Ryan Jones has joined National League side Aldershot Town on a two-year deal after leaving Bristol Rovers at the end of last season, making the versatile defender, who has also been known to play in midfield, their fifth player of the seven released to find a new club.

The 22-year-old made seven appearances for the Gas, having joined from Weston-super-Mare in 2020, but spent his last term on loan at Bromley, a spell that proved counterproductive.

Jones suffered an injury early in his time at the eventual National League play-off winners, but following his return to action the club opted to extend his loan, which was due to end in January, until the end of the season. However, the winger was quickly deemed surplus to requirements and spent the rest of the campaign training at Rovers, but as he was still technically on loan, he was unable to play for the Gas or leave elsewhere.

A number of links have emerged between Rovers and Aldershot over the years with current Shots manager Tommy Widdrington the Gas his former director of football while head of recruitment Jamie Hedges was an analyst at Rovers.

Additionally, a number of former Rovers players are currently in the fifth tier or have played for them since leaving BS7, including the likes of Jordi van Stappershoef, Cameron Hargreaves, Josh Barrett, Zain Walker and Cian Harries.

On the move, Jones told Aldershot’s club media: “Very happy to get it done. The manager has shown he wants the doors early so I’m happy to get over the line.

“It makes it easier (working with Tommy Widdrington again), not just settling into the process. A bit of security knowing he knows me as a player so that helps a bit.”

Along with the 22-year-old, Sam Finley (Tranmere Rovers), Harvey Greenslade (Yeovil Town), Lewis Gordon (Chesterfield) and James Gibbons (Cambridge United) have all found new clubs after stepping down at the end of their contracts in while John Marquis and Josh Grant remain free agents. Rovers have also confirmed that Jordan Rossiter has left the club upon the expiry of his contract earlier today.