Promising teenager Ryan Jones looks set to be Saltergate's next Australian import.

Jones - a hard-working midfielder with great potential - has had a trial with the Spireites and has been invited back next summer to join the club's apprentice ranks.

Fellow Aussie Aaron Downes has been training with the Australian senior squad after established himself in Chesterfield's first team and it was the defender's success with the Spireites that led Jones to Saltergate.

His dad Paul works for the highly-regarded Institute of Sport, which provided the foundation for Downes' professional sporting career and the pair are colleagues.

And Jones (16) has shown considerable dedication to earn his chance at Saltergate.

Chesterfield FC youth team manager Dave Bentley said dad Paul asked son Ryan just how much he wanted to come to England to have a trial with Chesterfield.

''He made him raise the money for his own air fair, so Ryan sold chocolate bars at his school to fund his trip,'' said Bentley.

Left to right: Paul Jones, Dave Bentley, Ryan, CFC vice chairman Jason Elliott

And the Blues youth chief was glad that Jones had made the journey because he thinks he has the potential to join the professional ranks.

''Ryan's a big lad and a very good young player. He's comfortable on the ball, he can control it and pass it around. He's a little bit in the Mark Allott mold,'' said Bentley.

Jones has an English-born mother and holds a British passport and it is expected that he will return in July next year to sign two-year apprentice forms.

Chesterfield's Youth Team is sponsored by

Stratstone BMW

This article by Andrew Jarvis first appeared in the Derbyshire Times of Thursday November 30, 2006