I have a few religious tattoos. They’re symbolic of my beliefs ... but it’s never been a problem for anyone in my dressing room
THE strong religious beliefs that Stoke City boss Nathan Jones holds have carried the Welshman through the vitriol and hate that followed his departure from Luton Town.
Jones admits that only God has been able to steer him through the maelstrom which struck the moment he agreed to take over at the Bet365 Stadium.
Raised in a small mining village in the Welsh valleys the 45-yearold is proud of his roots and a devotion to the Christian faith.
“Where I grew up there were 2,000 people, one pub and five churches. It was that type of place,” he said.
“My family were Christians and I was brought up in the faith. When you feel you’ve been guided by God, it’s not something you want to give up as you grow older. I find God a constant strength.”
His body is adorned with tattoos – but not the typical footballer’s.
Michaelangelo’s Creation of Adam is spread across his back, the Crucifixion, the Sistine Chapel and praying hands are all testimony to a faith which never leaves him.
“I have a few religious tattoos. For me, they are symbolic of my beliefs,” he added.
“It’s also a very artistic thing. When people find out you’re a Christian, there is always a bit of banter, but I’ve never been chastised for it. You get the odd comment, ‘ Bible basher’, for instance, but it’s said in a nice way.
“I ’ ve been in some hard changing rooms, but the other players always respected my faith. I never hid from the fact that I was a Christian.”
Jones is busily looking for a new home within a 30-minute radius of Stoke’s training ground, because every morning he reports for work you will find him at 7am praying or reading lessons.
He explained that, until the emotions surrounding his decision to leave League One Luton last month subside, he feels it’s too dangerous for him to return to the Bedfordshire area.
He has received a number of physical threats from angry fans, despite having led Luton out of League Two into a position where Championship football could be at Kenilworth Road next season.
“I gave my life to that club,” he said. “I really did. I turned down a number of opportunities to leave for bigger clubs, more money – Stoke came out of the blue.
“I built key relationships with the board, the chief executive, with my staff, players, cleaners, maintenance guys, cooks, groundsmen. I embraced the club. I thought we all took the club forward. I embraced the fans, I united them.
“I cared about the club. Even though the fans love the club, the defeats didn’t hurt them as much as it hurt me. I was up at 2am watching games, analysing defeats, draws, how we can get better.
“That almost cost me my relationship with my fiancée
Laurie because
I embraced the whole thing. It hurts me that I’ve been chastised and hated for leaving. I understand the timing wasn’t great. I still haven’t had a chance to speak to every member of staff, to every player there.
“One, it’s been too tough emotionally and, also, with a lot of things that have been going on it’s not safe to go back to Luton.
“I’ve had a lot of not very nice text messages and things said. It’s harsh, but I think I understand.
“I think, though, I have left them in a wonderful place.
“They could be just four months away from the Championship.
“The only thing that has helped me has been my Christian faith because nothing else – or no human being – can help you through that.
“I have tried to keep a lot of the nasty stuff away from my fiancée. I don’t tell my family everything because I don’t want them scared, so the only one I go to is God. He has given me the strength to get through stuff.
“I understand me leaving is like a bitter marriage break-up and people hate me for it now.
“I hope people will see what was an excellent journey Luton have been on and I was an important part of that.”
His own football journey started as a young player with Cardiff City and took in Merthyr Tydfil, a spell in Spain, Southend, Brighton and Yeovil before moving up the coaching ladder under Chris Powell, at Charlton, and Brighton’s Chris Hughton.
Jones added: “On the managerial side, Paul Hart [now his assistant boss at Stoke] has been a massive influence on me, as has Chris Hughton at Brighton. He’s a phenomenal man.
“A lot has been said about the lack of opportunities for BAME coaches and managers. These two are pioneers in their own right.
“Brighton saw something in me to become a manager and asked Chris Hughton to educate me.
“He did and I’m still in touch – he is a very close friend of mine.”