Where Are They Now – Jon Sheffield

Peverell Green takes a look back at the career of Jon Sheffield, the first goalkeeper to feature in his ‘Where Are They Now’ series.

Jon Sheffield – Born 1st February 1969 – Coventry.

Jon started his football career in Norwich City’s youth team, signing professional forms with the club at the start of the 1987-88 season. Although he was at the club for four seasons he only managed one first team appearance when in 1989 he stood in for the suspended Brynn Gunn in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
While at Carrow Road he was loaned out to Aldershot twice, making eleven appearances in 1989 and on his second spell there a further fifteen appearances in 1990.

A further loan, this time to Cambridge United, became a permanent move in 1991. Jon spent four seasons at Cambridge, he enjoyed some success there, seeing his team reach what was then known as Division 2, he also moved around a fair bit when he was loaned out to Colchester where he made six appearances, Swindon two appearances and Hereford eight appearances.
His appearances for Swindon were of particular note as they were a Premier League team at the time.
While at the Abbey Stadium he made 56 appearances.

Although not a first team regular he must have impressed as in 1995 he was transferred to local rivals Peterborough for £150,000, in the two seasons he spent at the club he made a total of 62 appearances.
At the start of the 1997-98 season Jon was signed on for Argyle by Mick Jones for £100,000.
In his first season at the club he was an ever present in the first team, playing all 46 league games and five cup matches, unfortunately his arrival co-incided with a downturn in the club’s fortunes, they finished in 22nd position and were relegated to Division 3.
The following two seasons saw Jon retain the Number 1 jersey with Argyle’s league position improving each year, they finished 13th and 12th. The period Jon spent at the club was, at the time, the most turbulent in the club’s history, the Dan McCauley era.

As well as Mick Jones, he also played under Kevin Hodges, Kevin Summerfield (caretaker manager), Peter Shilton, and finally as normality returned, Paul Sturrock.
The arrival of Paul Sturrock also saw Romain Larrieu join the club around the same time, and with the up and coming youngster, Luke McCormick waiting in the wings Jon knew it was time to move on.
In total he made a 175 league and cup appearances.

In 2001 Jon was signed by Yeovil on a free transfer, he played for the club for three seasons making 22 appearances.
While Yeovil was the end of his league career he finished his playing career at Saltash United.

At the end of his playing career Jon qualified as a EUFA B goalkeeper coach and in 2004 set up a goalkeepers training academy, holding weekly sessions in Plymouth, Callington and Camborne, coaching goalies from eight years up.

In December 2010 Jon re-joined Yeovil as their goalkeeping coach, initially on a temporary basis, after Ben Roberts left the club to join Charlton, combining this with his own successful business.
So if there’s any budding goalies out there, or current No.1’s who want to improve their skills Jon’s contact details can be found on his website.

http://www.jsga.co.uk/index.html