Dave's year
Wednesday, 05 January 2005.
Former Wolves manager Dave Jones continues our series looking back at the highs and lows of the year gone. He tells us how he was thrilled by Wayne Rooney in 2004 and reveals that there was a funny side to losing his job at Wolves
| Dave Jones Profile |
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 Dave Jones is probably best known for helping Wolves to make their long-awaited return to the top flight in 2003, after years of failed attempts by the club. During his playing days Jones had been a stalwart in the Everton back line, before moving to Coventry for several years in the early '80s. His managerial career started in the non-leagues before a successful spell at the helm of Stockport County led to a move to Premiership Southampton. Jones subsequently won promotion to the Premiership with Wolves through the play-offs.
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On The Field
Finest individual performance: I was enthralled by Wayne Rooney’s hat-trick for Manchester United in the Champions League against Fenerbahce. There was so much hype surrounding his Old Trafford debut for someone so young but he went out there and played with an incredible intensity.
Finest team performance: It would have to be Manchester United beating Fenerbahce 6-2 in the game I mentioned above. Apart from Rooney’s three 
goals they absolutely tore the Turkish team apart with sheer skill, power and commitment. You rarely see victories as comprehensive as that in the Champions League.
One thing you'd change: This is a personal one. I wished I could have persuaded the Wolves board in June to put more money in to help our Premiership bid. I couldn’t believe £3million was the budget and I think everyone at the club was downhearted about it. The chairman Rick Hayward said later it was a mistake
Best football quote of the year: I was listening to West Ham-Leeds on the radio last week and it the commentator made me laugh by saying: "This second half is one of the most awful scrappy games I’ve seen, and we are now 35 seconds into it."
Funniest thing you've seen in football this year: It was the Wolves chairman Rick Hayward trying to tell me I was dismissed. It took him time to get the point, he went into a kitchen to make me a cup of tea and was fluffing about. I knew I was in trouble when he came out with a china cup – and no saucer. I told him about the saucer and he ran back into the kitchen to get me one!
If you could change one rule what would it be: If a player leaves the pitch injured for treatment, why does he have to wait to be waved back on by the referee. We had a lad who got a bad tackle, went off and was ready to come back on but couldn’t. And in that time we had to defend a corner with 10 men while the guy who made the tackle was still on the pitch.
A name to look out for in 2005: I saw him on Monday night. The young Fulham defender Liam Rosenior was very impressive. Considering he was playing against Manchester United and all the talent they have, he equipped himself brilliantly. If he gets a run in the team, he could be one to look out for.
Professional ambition for coming year: To try and get back into work. And then to carry on achieving and being successful.
Off The Field
How will you be spending Christmas this year? We always go out as a family to have Christmas Dinner at a restaurant that is owned by a friend of mine. We’ve done it since I moved up to the Midlands.
Best Christmas memory: I used to love playing on Boxing Day when I was at Everton, there was something special about the atmosphere. Off the field, it is fantastic to see my children open their presents.
Favourite Christmas song: One for the old-timers, ‘Merry Christmas’ by Slade
New Year's resolution: It will have to be to get a job
Where would you most like to visit in the coming year: Dubai
If a film was to come out about your life, who would you like to play you? .I would like to play myself, I don’t think there is anyone else who could do it!
Log on to TheFA.com over the festive period for more end of year reviews.