Ex-Wrexham and Wales defender Joey Jones dies aged 70

Former Wrexham and Wales defender Joey Jones has died at the age of 70.

Jones played 100 times in a trophy-laden three-year spell at Liverpool between 1975 and 1978.

During that time, he won two European Cups, a UEFA Cup, and a league title.

The Llandudno-born left-back earned 72 caps for Wales.

Club legend

He started and ended his career at Wrexham, with spells at Anfield, Chelsea, and Huddersfield Town in between.

Jones’ former Wales team-mate Mickey Thomas posted on X: “This morning I lost my best friend and soul mate, Sir Joey our memories will never fade – Today my heart is broken.

“Love you Sir Joey RIP. My condolences are with Janice and all the family.”

Jones’ contribution to Liverpool was immortalised in the famous banner unveiled by fans at the 1977 European Cup final.

It read: ‘Joey ate the frogs legs, made the Swiss roll, now he’s munching Gladbach,’ in celebration of the win over Borussia Monchengladbach.

The banner was in reference to victories over St Etienne and Zurich in the quarter and semi-finals.

With Wrexham, Jones won the Welsh Cup and helped the club reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 1974.

A post from the club on X read: “Wrexham AFC are devastated to learn of the passing of Club legend Joey Jones.

“A true Club legend, on and off the pitch, with time for everybody he met, Joey will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

There were further tributes on X from former Liverpool stars Jamie Carragher and John Aldridge.

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney also paid tribute.

Aldridge wrote: “What a lovely man and an inspirational full back who gave his heart and soul in a red shirt and for all the clubs he played for!

“Our thoughts are with Joey’s family! I’m a lucky man to have met him many times.”

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