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Eoin Jess

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Eoin Jess
Personal information
Date of birth (1970-12-13)13 December 1970(age 53)
Place of birth Portsoy,Aberdeenshire,Scotland
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1984–1987 Rangers
1987–1989 Aberdeen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1996 Aberdeen 201 (50)
1996–1997 Coventry City 39 (1)
1997–2001 Aberdeen 111 (29)
2001 →Bradford City(loan) 17 (3)
2001–2002 Bradford City 45 (14)
2002–2005 Nottingham Forest 86 (7)
2005–2007 Northampton Town 38 (1)
Total 537 (105)
International career
1989–1992 Scotland U21 9 (1)
1992–1999 Scotland 18 (2)
1994–1996 Scotland B 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Eoin Jess(born 13 December 1970) is a Scottishfootballcoach and former player.

As a player he was anattacking midfielderwho notably played in thePremier LeagueforCoventry CityandBradford City,and in theScottish Premier LeagueforAberdeen.He also played in theFootball LeagueforNottingham ForestandNorthampton Town.He was capped 18 times byScotland,scoring two goals. He is ranked 11th on Aberdeen's all-timeappearances list.

Following retirement, Jess spent time as an academy coach initially returning to former club Nottingham Forest before later having a spell withPeterborough United.

Playing career

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Aberdeen

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Born in the village ofPortsoyinAberdeenshire,Jess began his career in Glasgow as a traineestrikeratRangers(alongside future Scotland teammateJohn Spencer)[1]but was allowed to leave in 1987;[2]he soon moved back to his home region, signing forAberdeen.Having made his debut at the end of the1988–89 season,18-year-old Jess made an impact in the first team from the outset of thefollowing campaign,starting againstRapid Viennain theUEFA Cupand against Rangers in the1989 Scottish League Cup FinalatHampden Park,which Aberdeen won 2–1.[3][4][5]The club finished runners-up in the Premier Division, and Jess picked up another winner's medal as an unused substitute in the1990 Scottish Cup Final.[6]

In1990–91he scored 13 league goals and linked up withHans Gillhausto great effect[4][7]as Aberdeen missed out on the title on the final day.[1][8]The strikes including ahat-trickaway toDundee United,[9]four away toDunfermline[10]and three across two home wins overCeltic.[11]He won thePFA Scotland Young Player of the Yearaward for the season. Although Jess played 42 games in1991–92,the season was a disappointment as Aberdeen finished only 6th in the league. He scored in a September victory over Rangers atIbrox Stadiumwhich proved to be Aberdeen's last win at that venue until 2017.[2][4]

1992–93brought an improvement as the club were league runners-up and reached both cup finals. Jess scored the winning goal in the semi-final of the1992–93 Scottish League Cupagainst Celtic and played all 120 minutes ofthe finalwhich ended in a 2–1 defeat to Rangers.[12]In March 1993 he suffered a fractured ankle in the quarter-final of the1992–93 Scottish CupagainstClydebank[4][3]but was rushed back to fitness after only two months out[13]and appeared as a substitute inthe finalof the competition, which Aberdeen again lost 2–1 to Rangers.[14]Despite failing to win any trophies and missing part of the season with his injury, he won the PFA Young Player award for a second time.[4]

In1993–94Jess helped Aberdeen to another second-place finish in the Premier Division. He also scored five goals in four matches in theCup Winners' Cup,finishing joint-top scorer in the competition. Thenext seasonalmost ended in relegation for the club and Jess started only 15 league games due to a persistent foot injury.[15]He returned as a regular starter in1995–96playing in a more withdrawn central midfield role[16]to accommodate strikersDodds,Booth[17]andShearer.He produced an impressive performance in the semi-final of theLeague Cupas Aberdeen overcame Rangers,[2][4]scored a long-range goal in a league game against the same opponents a few weeks later[2][4]and was in the team which won the1995 Scottish League Cup Final,beatingDundee.[18]

Following this victory, he decided to seek a new challenge in his career and requested a move with his contract due to expire.[1][16]As he had impressed in Europe against Italian opposition (Torino),Serie Aclubs showed an interest and Jess has stated thatSampdoriawere keen to sign him under theBosman rulingat the end of the season,[1]but he was determined that Aberdeen should receive a transfer fee, therefore agreed to a£2 million transfer toCoventry Cityof the EnglishPremier Leaguein February 1996.[16]He left Aberdeen for the first time having made 253 official appearances for the club, scoring 63 goals, and the transfer fee they received for him was a record amount.

Coventry City

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25-year-old Jess made his Coventry debut againstMiddlesbroughon 24 February 1996 and made 12 league appearances in the latter part ofthat seasonunder managerRon Atkinson,scoring what would prove to be his only league goal for the club againstQPR.[19]In1996–97he played 27 times in the league but only started 19 of those, and scored an own goal in a game againstManchester United.[20]He scored twice in Coventry's run in the1996–97 FA Cup,netting in thethird roundgame againstWoking,[21]and again in thefourth roundvictory atBlackburn Rovers.[22]By that timeGordon Strachanhad taken over from Atkinson as manager, and in the close season he allowed Jess to leave as he could not guarantee his place in the team. Despite his stay atHighfield Roadbeing fairly brief, he later described the experience as "fantastic" due to the excitement of the games fighting relegation.[1]

Return to Aberdeen

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In summer 1997 Jess returned to Aberdeen, rejoiningRoy Aitken's side for a fee of £700,000.[1][3]This spell atPittodriewas shorter and less successful than his first, although he did manage a career-best total of 14 league goals in1998–99[4]including on the opening day which was the first goal of theScottish Premier Leagueera.[23][2]He also played in the2000 Scottish League Cup final[24]and2000 Scottish Cup final,[25]both of which ended in defeat.

Having been a regular starter since his return he played less frequently in his final season,2000–01,under managerEbbe Skovdahl.In December 2000 he stated publicly that he may not sign a new contract and suggested that Aberdeen's ambition did not match his own (unaware of the club's financial plight at the time),[1]alienating him from the hierarchy;[26]he soon departed for a second time upon the opening of the winter transfer window, having made a further 126 Aberdeen appearances (31 goals).

Later years in England

[edit]

Jess returned to thePremier Leagueat the age of 30 withBradford City,initially on loan, and scored on his debut for theBantamson 1 January 2001 againstLeicester City.[27]Bradford wererelegatedin last place but the loan move was a success (17 games, three goals), with the deal being made permanent in the summer when Jess's Aberdeen contract expired. In the2001–02 First Divisionhe made 45 league appearances and finished the season as top scorer with 14 goals[1](including a hat-trick in a home win overWatford),[28]but financial problems meant he was released by Bradford in June 2002 following the collapse ofITV Digital.

He joinedNottingham Forestin August 2002 and in hisfirst seasonsteered Forest into the play-offs in 6th place. However they dropped to 14th the next year and were relegated in2005,and Jess moved on as a free agent.

In July 2005 he signed forNorthampton Townand in hisfirst seasonwith the club achieved promotion from the fourth tier; in April 2007 he was released from his contract withThe Cobblers,aged 36, and retired from playing.[29]

International career

[edit]

Having represented theUnder-21 side,[30]Jess helped the team reach the semi-finals ofUEFA under-21 Eurosin1992,[31] and theToulon Tournamentin 1991.[32]

After declining an approach fromNorthern Ireland(his father's birthplace),[1]Jess made his debut forScotlandin November 1992 againstItaly.[4][3]He went on to earn 18 fullcaps.As an intermittent member of the main squad, he also appeared twice for theB teamin 1994 and 1996.[33]

Whilst at Coventry City he was selected forUEFA Euro 1996,and made one appearance during the tournament as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat toEngland.His two international goals were both scored while playing for Aberdeen, although four years apart: the first came againstSan Marinoin 1995, and the second in a 2–1UEFA Euro 2000 qualifierdefeat at home to theCzech Republicin March 1999; he appeared from the bench in the return fixture three months later, which proved to be his final Scotland match.

Coaching career

[edit]

Jess later rejoined Nottingham Forest as a coach for theiryouth teamfrom 2007 until he left the post in May 2012. He also spent time on the coaching staff atPeterborough United,joining in August 2012 to work underDarren Fergusonas a replacement forMark Robson[34]but departing less than a year later, replaced byGary Breen.[35]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[36][37]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aberdeen 1988–89 Scottish Premier Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
1989–90 11 3 1 0 3 0 1[c] 0 16 3
1990–91 27 13 1 0 4 1 3[d] 1 35 15
1991–92 39 12 1 0 2 0 2[c] 0 44 12
1992–93 31 12 4 2 5 2 – 40 16
1993–94 41 6 6 0 3 1 4[d] 5 54 12
1994–95 25 1 2 1 3 0 0 0 30 2
1995–96 25 3 2 0 5 0 – 32 3
Total 201 50 17 3 25 4 10 6 253 63
Coventry City 1995–96 Premier League 12 1 – – – 12 1
1996–97 27 0 4 2 1 0 – 32 2
Total 39 1 4 2 1 0 – 44 3
Aberdeen 1997–98 Scottish Premier Division 35 9 1 0 3 1 – 39 10
1998–99 Scottish Premier League 36 14 1 0 2 0 – 39 14
1999–2000 26 5 4 1 4 0 – 34 6
2000–01 14 1 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 15 1
Total 111 29 6 1 9 1 1 0 127 31
Bradford City(loan) 2000–01 Premier League 17 3 1 0 – – 18 3
Bradford City 2001–02 First Division 45 14 1 0 2 0 – 48 14
Total 62 17 2 0 2 0 – 66 17
Nottingham Forrest 2002–03 First Division 32 3 0 0 1 0 – 33 3
2003–04 34 2 0 0 2 0 – 36 2
2004–05 Championship 20 2 0 0 4 0 – 24 2
Total 86 7 0 0 7 0 – 93 7
Northampton Town 2005–06 League Two 12 0 4 0 2 0 – 18 0
2006–07 League One 26 1 3 0 1 0 – 30 1
Total 38 1 7 0 3 0 – 48 1
Career total 537 105 36 6 47 5 11 6 631 122
  1. ^IncludesScottish Cup,FA Cup
  2. ^IncludesScottish League Cup,Football League Cup
  3. ^abcAppearance(s) inUEFA Cup
  4. ^abAppearances inEuropean Cup Winners' Cup

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[38]
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 1992 1 0
1993 3 0
1994 4 0
1995 2 1
1996 3 0
1997 —
1998 1 0
1999 4 1
Total 18 2

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Jess goal

List of international goals scored by Eoin Jess
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 5 November 1995 Hampden Park,Glasgow,Scotland San Marino 1–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 1996 Qualifying
2 31 March 1999 Celtic Park,Glasgow,Scotland Czech Republic 1-2 1-2 UEFA Euro 2000 Qualifying

Personal life

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In April 2009, at the age of 38, Jess suffered a mild stroke.[39]During further tests it was discovered that a hole had been present in his heart all his life and in 2010 he underwent surgery to correct this.[2]

In 2015 Jess was voted into Aberdeen's 'greatest ever team' by supporters of the club.[40]In November 2018, he was one of four inductees into the AberdeenHall of Fame.[41]

In 2016 he was living inBarcelona.[11][7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefghi"Don't come home too soon, warns Jess".The Scotsman.22 January 2005.Retrieved21 May2017.
  2. ^abcdef"Interview: Eoin Jess fights off the heartache".The Scotsman.3 April 2010.Retrieved20 May2017.
  3. ^abcd"Dark Blue Dons - Eoin Jess".AFC Heritage Trust.Retrieved20 May2017.
  4. ^abcdefghi"1995 Semi-final and Eoin Jess".Official website.Aberdeen F.C.29 January 2014.Retrieved20 May2017.
  5. ^"Bett the light of bold Aberdeen (page 19)".23 October 1989.Retrieved24 October2017.
  6. ^"1990 Scottish Cup Final match reports".The Celtic wiki.Retrieved20 May2017.
  7. ^ab"Spain-based Eoin Jess snubs Barca to watch Aberdeen beat Celtic".The Scotsman.5 February 2016.Retrieved20 May2017.
  8. ^"Flashback: 1991, Mark Walters and Scott Booth recall their part in Smith's maiden final-day triumph".The Herald.14 May 2011.Retrieved24 October2017.
  9. ^"Match report - Dundee Utd 2 - 3 Aberdeen".Dundee United Historical Archive. 24 November 1990. Archived fromthe originalon 25 October 2017.Retrieved20 May2017.
  10. ^"match Report - Dunfermline Athletic 1 - 4 Aberdeen".AFC Heritage Trust. 5 January 1991.Retrieved20 May2017.
  11. ^ab"Eoin Jess: I've swapped Aberdeen for Barcelona but I'd rather watch Dons than Messi".Daily Record.29 January 2016.Retrieved20 May2017.
  12. ^McKinney, David (26 October 1992)."Football: Smith's slip gives Rangers the prize".The Independent.Independent Print Limited.Retrieved24 October2017.
  13. ^"David Wylie Interview".Official website.Aberdeen F.C.23 May 2016.Retrieved20 May2017.
  14. ^"Football: Hateley cleans up for Rangers".The Independent.29 May 1993.Retrieved20 May2017.
  15. ^Miller, Willie (2013).Willie Miller - The Don.Birlinn.ISBN9780857905505.
  16. ^abc"FOOTBALL: Jess poised for pounds 2m move to Coventry".The Independent.19 February 1996.Retrieved21 May2017.
  17. ^"Talking Reds: Eoin Jess was the last of the true greats for Aberdeen fans".Daily Record.26 July 2013.Retrieved20 May2017.
  18. ^"Dodds and Shearer end Aberdeen's wait".The Independent.27 November 2015.Retrieved20 May2017.
  19. ^"QPR play the fall guys in Strachan's antics roadshow".The Independent.15 April 1996.Retrieved11 April2012.
  20. ^Shaw, Phil (3 March 1997)."Football: United avoid exertion".The Independent.London, UK.Retrieved20 March2015.
  21. ^"Woking wound Premier pride".The Independent.27 January 1997.Retrieved11 April2012.
  22. ^"Ogrizovic's glory".The Independent.16 February 1997.Retrieved11 April2012.
  23. ^"Match report - Jess hits first goal in the SPL".AFC Heritage Trust. 1 August 1998.Retrieved20 May2017.
  24. ^"Celtic 2–0 Aberdeen, League Cup Final (contemporary newspaper scans)".The Celtic Wiki. 19 March 2000.Retrieved11 January2018.
  25. ^"Rangers win 4–0 in Scottish Cup final".CBC Sports.27 May 2000.Retrieved21 October2017.
  26. ^"Celtic stroll towards festive season".The Daily Telegraph.16 December 2000.Retrieved20 May2017.
  27. ^"Jess opens Bradford account".The Scotsman.2 January 2001.Retrieved20 May2017.
  28. ^"Bradford 4-3 Watford".BBC Sport.27 October 2001.Retrieved20 May2017.
  29. ^"Veteran Jess leaves Northampton".BBC Sport.11 April 2007.Retrieved11 April2007.
  30. ^"Scotland U21 profile".Fitbastats.Retrieved20 May2017.
  31. ^"GLORY BOYS: The Scotland under-21 squad which has steered their country to the semi-finals of the European".Evening Express.22 April 1992.Retrieved25 May2022– viaBritish Newspaper Archive.
  32. ^"NO THANKS: Same old jinx".Daily Record.3 June 1991.Retrieved25 May2022– viaBritish Newspaper Archive.
  33. ^"Scotland 'B' profile".Fitbastats.Retrieved20 May2017.
  34. ^"Eoin Jess appointed first-team coach by Peterborough".BBC Sport.9 August 2012.Retrieved20 May2017.
  35. ^"Posh coach leaves at last".Peterborough Today. 21 June 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 14 August 2016.Retrieved20 May2017.
  36. ^"Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust - Player Profile".afcheritage.org.Retrieved9 March2023.
  37. ^"Eoin Jess - Stats and titles won".footballdatabase.eu.Retrieved9 March2023.
  38. ^Eoin Jessat theScottish Football Association
  39. ^Marris, Sharon (9 April 2009)."Former Scotland footballer Jess tells how he suffered a stroke – aged 38".The Scotsman.Retrieved10 April2009.
  40. ^"AFC Greatest Ever XI: Midfielders & Strikers".Official website.Aberdeen F.C.25 November 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 26 November 2015.Retrieved21 May2017.
  41. ^"AFC Hall of Fame 2018".Aberdeen F.C.2 November 2018.Retrieved3 November2018.
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