After 3 ACL Injuries, Jodi Jones Shines at Wembley

Five years ago, Jodi Jones wondered if he'd ever play professional football again after his third ACL surgery kept him off the pitch for 897 days. This week, the 28-year-old winger delivered a stunning performance at Wembley Stadium, helping Notts County secure promotion to League One with a 3-0 victory over Salford City.

Jones played a key role in both first-half goals before scoring the third himself to seal the win. Rival managers called his display "outstanding" and agreed he was the clear man of the match.

The journey to this moment was anything but straightforward. Between November 2017 and August 2021, Jones underwent three anterior cruciate ligament operations while at Coventry City. He missed 130 games and went more than five years between starting league matches.

"You're making me a bit emotional," Jones said while holding the trophy. "Tough times, I can only thank my family and Coventry for sticking by me and giving me contract after contract when I could have been down and out."

Coventry kept faith in Jones even when his playing future looked uncertain, extending his contracts throughout the recovery period. That loyalty paid off not just for Jones but for Notts County, who took a chance on the injury-plagued winger when Oxford United loaned him out in January 2023.

Since joining Notts County, Jones has been unstoppable. He helped them win promotion from the National League in 2023, then broke a record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne with 24 assists last season, earning League Two Player of the Year honors.

Why This Inspires

Jones spent 1,900 days dreaming about moments like Monday's final. His comeback story shows what persistence looks like when everything seems lost. While his skills make highlight reels, it was the quiet support of family, former clubs, and fans that kept him going through the darkest times.

At the start of this season, Jones posted a prediction in his family group chat that his three clubs, Arsenal, Coventry, and Notts County, would all find success. "And it's happened, fantastic," he said after all three achieved promotion or glory.

Notts County manager Martin Paterson praised Jones as a "magician" but emphasized the team effort behind individual brilliance. "What people don't see is the work that others do for him to shine," Paterson said.

Jones says he's finally enjoying football again, thriving on big stages where he can express himself. He's undefeated at Wembley across multiple appearances and hopes there are more chapters to write at the famous stadium.