The Lee Valley Lions are delighted to confirm that defensive stalwarts James Joseph and Simon Jones will return to form the club’s leadership team for the 2019-20 season, with both men taking on the role of Player-Coach for the upcoming campaign.

32-year old James Joseph has been with the Lions ever since the senior club reformed in 2005. He has now played 14 seasons in a Lions jersey, racking up 268 league appearances which makes him the club’s all-time appearance leader by some distance.

In that time, the stay-at-home blueliner has scored 11 goals and added 19 assists for 30 career points.

Last season he took on the role of Player-Coach for the first time, leading the club to their first win in over a year as the Lions won 5-0 in Swindon. He also managed to score six points (one goal, five assists) in 2018-19, which was the most points and assists he had ever scored for the Lions in a single league season.

James will once again combine Player-Coach duties with patrolling the Lee Valley blueline in the 2019-20 campaign.

Click here to view James’ career statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects.

The Lions can also announce the return of Simon Jones, who acted as the club’s captain last season.

The 32-year-old defenceman is something of an iron man, having missed a total of just five games in his four seasons in a Lions jersey. He has racked up 84 league appearances in green and blue, notching up four goals and 18 assists for a total of 22 points.

He will also be a part of the club’s coaching staff as a Player-Coach this season, as well as continuing to add defensive leadership.

Click here to view Simon’s career statistics courtesy of Elite Prospects.