Home supporters had their first opportunity to see 21 year old Irish U 21 International Jonathan Douglas on Sunday afternoon. Born in Monaghan, Jon is on loan from Blackburn Rovers, from whom we signed Stuart Howson last year of course, he made his debut in the close defeat at Tranmere a fortnight ago and made his second appearance in the devastating defeat at Huddersfield Town eight days ago.

Jonathan has fought back from a career threatening medial and cruciate knee ligament injury, he had surgery 18 months ago but battled back to full fitness, scored a hat trick in the reserves, appeared in the Rovers first team, became captain of the reserves at Ewood Park  and won International honours in the Toulon tournament last Summer. He's been a right midfielder in his two Spireites games so far, he can also play at full back and his hat trick in the second XI proves he knows where the goal is too.

Signed as a scholar Douglas made his first team bow for Blackburn at Upton Park on 31st October 2000, three weeks before his 19th birthday, coming on as a substitute (56 minutes) for Damien Johnson with the score goalless. He joined the likes of Dailly, McAteer, Carsley and Ostenstad in his team to do battle with Kanoute, Di Canio, Suker, Lampard, Carrick, Sinclair and a young lad called Rio Ferdinand, the hosts proved too good for Rovers and Suker  and Di Canio grabbed goals to give the Hammers a 2-0 win in the League Cup to progress to round four.

Just over two months later, he came on as a half time sub for Darren Dunning in the FA Cup 3rd round game at home to Chester City, it was 0-0 at the break and, with Jansen and Dunn alongside, Rovers ran out 2-0 victors, Martin Taylor and Marcus Bent the scorers. Incidentally, ex Spireite Steve Baines was the ref that day.

With his injury keeping him out of contention, it was over a year before Jonathan's next first team outing, again in the FA Cup, Round 5 this time, as a 56th minute sub for Henning Berg with Gillespie, Cole and Tugay now as team mates, but a late goal from Ugo Ehiogu sent Middlesbrough through to the next stage.

Republic of Ireland Under 21 honours followed in France before a number of appearances for Rovers this season, in a penalty shoot out win over Walsall in the League Cup (sub), he was a late replacement in the 2-1 wion over Fulham, his first Premiership experience, he replaced Dwight Yorke in the 4-1 win at Villa in the FA Cup and he started for the first time in the next round (4th), a 3-3 draw at home to Sunderland, he was subbed by Egil Ostenstad just before the hour mark. He also appeared in the replay, his last Rovers first team appearance before moving on loan to Saltergate, which means that his performance at Tranmere was his first ever senior 90 minutes and he proved more than capable of lasting the pace.

Strong in the tackle, always willing to track back and possessing a fierce shot, the young man has obvious talent which we hope will be seen in abundance today and in our crucial final few games of the season.

By Phil Tooley

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