Vile chants will never force Jones from the game he so clearly loves

The Sheffield Wednesday manager was targeted for vile abuse on an ugly night last Friday that also saw goalkeeper Chris Kirkland attacked by a visiting fan who has since been jailed for 16 weeks.

Jones was understandably hurt by the chants aimed in his direction concerning child abuse allegations that he was totally cleared of in 2000.

But ahead of tonight’s trip to Blackburn Rovers, the Owls manager has vowed not to be forced out of the game he loves.

Asked if he had asked himself over the weekend whether being in football management was worth the upset caused by Friday’s unsavoury chanting, Jones replied: “No, never.

“I do something that I really enjoy. Why should I let certain people destroy that? I didn’t let the people who falsely accused me force me out. So, I am not going to let these people beat me down.

“The only people it is affecting are those listening to it who are close to me. My family and friends. They are the ones who it affects.

“To put it into context, I spoke to a player on Sunday evening who lost his daughter. Fans were chanting, ‘Where’s your daughter gone?’ That is vile.

“We can’t let the minority win. No-one is going to beat me down on this. If they continue to do it, then fine. They are just wasting fresh air.

“But I can honestly say that the response I have had from a lot of Leeds fans and my own club’s fans has been quite heartening. They all want to stamp it out.”

Third-bottom Wednesday travel to Ewood Park having not won in nine Championship outings but the manner of Friday’s display in the 1-1 draw with Leeds means they will make the trip in heartened mood.

Jones, who has secured an extension to Ross Barkley’s loan stay from Everton on a week-to-week basis after the midfielder’s initial month ran out, added: “We made Leeds look pretty ordinary at times, but we have to capitalise on that.

“We have to score goals. We got one but, unfortunately, couldn’t get the second.

“It took something special to drag Leeds back into it but this is a harsh division. Hopefully, we have learnt that.

“Blackburn will be up there come the end of the season. I have no doubt about that. They are one of five or six clubs who have to be promoted. Leicester, Cardiff, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves – they are all having a right good go at it. The money they spend means it has to be done, but there are only three clubs who can go up.”

Former Everton goalkeeper Adam Davies will be on the Owls bench tonight after signing a month-to-month contract as cover for second-choice goalkeeper, Stephen Bywater, who has pneumonia.

Jay Bothroyd, Wednesday’s goalscorer against Leeds, has been sent for tests after also feeling ill and is a major doubt.