Jodi Jones delivered an unforgettable performance at Wembley as Notts County defeated Salford City 3-0 in the League Two play-off final, sealing promotion to League One. The 28-year-old winger had a hand in all three goals, scoring the third himself to cap a virtuoso display that left opponents and observers in awe. His showing earned widespread acclaim, with rival managers singling him out as the undisputed man of the match.
The triumph marks a remarkable chapter in Jones’ career—one that nearly never happened after a devastating series of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. During his time at Coventry City, he underwent three ACL surgeries, spending 897 days on the sidelines and missing 130 matches between November 2017 and August 2021. The injuries, occurring just as his career was taking off, plunged him into years of grueling rehabilitation and mental anguish.
Reflecting on those dark times after the final, an emotional Jones admitted that he had spent nearly 2,000 days dreaming of moments like this. “Tough times, I can only thank my family and Coventry for sticking by me,” he said, clutching the play-off trophy. “They gave me contract after contract when I could have been down and out. I can never ever forget about Coventry, a fantastic club, who I now support.” Coventry’s faith in him proved pivotal, keeping him in professional football when many clubs might have released him.
Jones’ resilience was rewarded on the biggest stage in English lower-league football. Operating with a freedom that belied his injury history, he created the opening goal with a deft pass before playing a key role in the second. Then, early in the second half, he slammed home the third to extinguish any Salford hopes of a comeback. It was a performance that manager Martin Paterson described as that of a “magician and flair player,” highlighting the quality of his goals and audacious nutmegs.
Yet Paterson was quick to emphasise the collective effort that allowed Jones to shine. “What people don’t see is the work that others do for him to shine,” he explained, pointing to the disciplined defensive work of teammates like Rod McDonald and Oliver Norburn. “From the hard work and framework of a team comes individuals and freedom. Today, individuals seized their moments off the backbone of hard work.” It was a reminder that Jones’ brilliance was enabled by a well-drilled unit.
The defeat was a bitter pill for Salford City and their manager Karl Robinson, who had previously coached Jones at Oxford United. Robinson admitted his frustration at seeing his former player run riot. “I pushed him to Notts County,” he said. “Once Jodi Jones gets into the game he flows and it’s hard to play against him. We let him get into the game and gave him the confidence to do that.” Robinson rued the space Salford afforded Jones, particularly in the buildup to the first goal.
Jones’ Wembley record is becoming the stuff of legend. This was his fourth appearance at the national stadium, and he has never lost a final with a club. He helped Coventry win the EFL Trophy in 2017 and was part of their League Two play-off triumph in 2018, though injury prevented him from playing. For Notts County, he scored a penalty in the 2023 National League promotion final shootout against Chesterfield. Now, he has added another glorious chapter. “I’d like to think Wembley is a good place for me,” he said with a grin.
The forward also revealed a stunning pre-season prediction. In a family group chat, he had forecast that his three significant clubs—Arsenal, Coventry, and Notts County—would all enjoy successful campaigns. Arsenal finished second in the Premier League, Coventry reached the Championship play-off final and won promotion, and now Notts have risen to League One. “I spoke about it at the start of the season and it would be amazing,” Jones recalled. “And it’s happened, fantastic.”
Notts County’s promotion is their 14th in English Football League history, moving them within one of the all-time record held by Grimsby Town. For a club that has spent recent seasons rebuilding after financial turmoil and non-league exile, the return to the third tier signals a significant revival. With Jones as the creative fulcrum and a talented squad around him, the Magpies will approach League One with optimism. Jones himself believes they can continue climbing, much like his former club Coventry.
The winger’s personal accolades only add to the narrative. In 2024, he was named League Two Player of the Year after breaking the division’s assist record with 24—surpassing benchmarks previously set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in other leagues. That consistency, combined with his big-game temperament, makes him an invaluable asset. His journey from three shattered knees to Wembley heroics is a testament to perseverance, medical support, and sheer talent.
As the celebrations unfolded, Jones made clear that he is nowhere near finished. “There’s another chapter at Wembley coming for me,” he promised. Whether through continued promotion pushes or cup runs, he seems destined to keep delivering on the biggest occasions. For now, though, he can savour a day that ranks among the best of his career—a day that vindicated every hour of painful rehab and every moment of doubt.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.