‘Look at Linfield’ has been catching up with 19-year-old Jon Graham who recently signed his first professional contract with the Club. The winger joined the Blues from Dungannon Swifts’ u18 team in 2023 and recently completed Linfield’s Scholarship scheme.

Graham could have chosen to move on in the summer following the conclusion of his scholarship scheme, but he chose to stay and fight for a pro contract. Coming from a farming background in Tandragee, it is perhaps no surprise that Jon possesses the ethos of hard work, and that’s paid off with the two-and-a-half year deal which he was delighted to sign.

“I am over the moon to have signed my first professional contract, and to do it at the biggest Club in the country is a privilege. It’s something I’ve worked towards for a couple of years now, so I am delighted to have got to this point. It was the goal – something I had to work my socks off for. My scholarship ended in the summer but I believe when you’re at Linfield you have to bide your time and if you’re doing the right things then your time can come.

“I came to the Club from Dungannon Swifts a few years ago, initially at under-18 level. Things didn’t really work out for me at Dungannon – I never really got going due to injuries and stuff like that, but I feel that I sort of found my feet as soon as I landed at Linfield. It probably goes without saying that the goal is ultimately to try and break into the team. I know that isn’t an easy task, so it’s just a case of keeping the head down and keep working hard.”

Jon remains a regular for Linfield Swifts who play most of their matches on a Monday night, and he’s a key figure for Michael Gault’s young team in the Premiership Development League. Now that he’s professional, Jon has struck a good balance of being able to train with the senior team several days a week and then turn out for the Swifts, as well as any appearances for the senior team.

“It’s really good for me to be in training with the best players in the country several days a week. There are a lot of leaders in the team as well, so it’s a great learning curve for me every day that I’m in. I play a lot of Monday night matches with the Swifts, so my schedule is probably slightly different to the majority of the squad. Playing for the Swifts and getting that gametime under Michael Gault has been really beneficial as well. ‘Gaulty’ has led me down the right path, as have coach Chris Kingsberry and Head of Youth, ‘Spike’ Ferguson.

“I consider myself to be an out-and-out winger. I have played a wee bit deeper for the Swifts, just sort of filling in, but I would say my natural position would be high and wide. I’m left footed and most of my appearances have been on the left, but I also feel comfortable on the right wing.
Having the adaptability to play as a wing-back and learning the defensive side of the game is an important side of the game because some teams like to play with wing-backs – for example, Cosgrove for Larne when I made my senior debut.”

As mentioned above, Jon made his first team debut in a 2-1 defeat away to Larne in the penultimate League fixture of last season, then his home debut came in last month’s 4-0 home win over Crusaders which he states was extra special, and he dedicates it to those who have supported him on his journey to date.

“My senior debut was away to Larne last season but I think it’s a wee bit more special to make the home debut in front of the fans, so that was very good. My parents have put a lot of effort and sacrifices towards my football, driving me up and down the country since I was no age, so it’s great to see some rewards with moments like that and to dedicate it to them as well.

“My friend Jonny Kernaghan has also been a really big help and influence on my football. I’ve known ‘JK’ since I was four or five years of age, so he’s always been there for me, coaching me and giving me advice and stuff which I’m also thankful for. He is a former Linfield Academy player himself, so he has been well placed to give me advice, and he also won honours in senior football with the likes of Dollingstown. Anyone who has made it to Linfield has to have something about them.”

Looking ahead to today’s match against Bangor, Jon – who was a late substitute in last week’s 6-1 league victory over the same opposition – says the Blues will be primed for a response from the Seasiders in the fifth round of the prestigious Irish Cup.

“It was obviously a difficult end to 2025 for all of us here at Linfield, but as a young player you just have to absorb everything and learn how to deal with these situations. We got a good win over Bangor last week – the lads were brilliant and it was pleasing to get another appearance under my belt. Hopefully, that can give us the confidence to push on again now. We’ll just have to keep listening to the gaffer, take on board his instructions and keep working hard every week.

“The Irish Cup is a wonderful competition with so much history and I know our Club has a proud record in it. When you watch the final, it’s always a special occasion and I think all players look at them and dream of being involved, because it doesn’t get much bigger for an Irish League player. Those big days are what players play for – to be involved and have those memories. I’d love that to be me some day, of course. Bangor will be looking to make up for last week’s result but it’s important we overcome the challenge again to hopefully kick-start a memorable cup run.”

Congratulations to Jon on his first professional contract and best wishes to the young winger for what will hopefully be a long and successful Linfield career.