Part-time sprinter who works Champions League games by day stuns Commonwealth Games & says: ‘No footballer can touch me’

LATE sub Elliot Jones boarded a seven-hour 300-mile bus journey to reach Glasgow for his Commonwealth Games bow. But running in a straight line is different to his busy part-time gig – working on Champions League football. Elliot Jones earned a late call-up at the Commonwealth Games Credit: PA The sprinter shone in the men’s 100m heats Credit: Reuters The Loughborough-based sprinter – whose dad Ed used to work as a comms executive at Wigan Athletic – qualified third fastest from the men’s 100 metres heats on the opening day of the athletics. Yet Jones, 28, had a mad dash to reach this event when he was given a last-minute berth following the sudden withdrawal of Team England star Louie Hinchliffe. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Jones – who ran a time of 10.07 seconds at the Scotstoun Stadium – said: “It’s my individual debut and that’s super exciting for any athlete. “To do it on this stage, in front of a home crowd, is just incredible. “I only got the call into the team late. I got switched in on Friday so my parents and my girlfriend have been scrambling around to get tickets and hotels. “The hotel prices are crazy but they support me through everything. “I was prepped to run the relay on Saturday. So, I was only supposed to be travelling up on Tuesday. “I got a call from the sprints manager last Thursday night asking how I would feel about running the individual. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Jones narrowly missed out on notching a new personal best Credit: PA “I was like: ‘Let me think about that…yes!’ I had to get the bus at 9am the next morning, quickly pack and restructure my training plan. “But it’s fine, we’re always ready. It was supposed to take us six hours but it took us seven hours with traffic. “I’ve had a real breakthrough year this year. I’ve been getting a lot more consistent in my times. “This year I’m a different athlete altogether. I can back it up and back it up and back it up. “I’m going to use this as a platform and you’re going to see me here for the next few years. “Every athlete’s dream is to go to the Olympics – so touch wood I’ll be there in 2028.” To help pay the bills, Jones works as a local assistant at Uefa matches for the venue operations team. His role consists of jobs “like accreditation, signage around the ground, bits of access stuff”. Jones works at huge Champions League clashes when he is not on the track Credit: Getty The 28-year-old took Louie Hinchliffe’s place on Team England Credit: PA He has attended Champions League and Europa League matches involving Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Newcastle. But Jones – whose PB is 10.04 seconds – laughed: “There’s not a footballer who could touch me on the track!” Benjamin Azamati of Ghana led the way with a mark of 10.00 seconds on a cold morning in Scotland. Welshman Jeremiah Azu – the former world 60 metres champion and reigning European champion – ran 10.10 seconds, with the semis and final on Tuesday evening. Comment now