Remembering Joey Jones – The first Welshman to win the European Cup

Joey Jones will forever be remembered as an iconic figure who defined a generation for the fans of Liverpool, Wrexham and Cymru. A European champion who remained strong to his north Wales roots, Jones has passed away at the age of 70 after a life dedicated to his clubs, his country and the game itself.

Born in Llandudno, Jones was a tough-tackling defender and his character on the field was immortalised in a famous banner as he won the first of two European Cups with Liverpool in 1977 as they defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in Rome – ‘Joey Ate The Frogs Legs, Made The Swiss Roll, Now He’s Munching Gladbach’.

Jones joined Liverpool from Wrexham in 1975 after helping the club win the Welsh Cup with a victory over Cardiff City. Jones had only just turned 20 when manager Bob Paisley invested £110,000 for his services at Anfield, and he would play a key role in Liverpool’s success by winning the league, two European Cup, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. Jones was also the first Welshman to win the European Cup.

“I supported Liverpool as a kid,” he told BBC Sport Wales in 2017. “I never, ever thought I’d play for Liverpool. I thought the closest I would get was watching them on the Kop. I wasn’t the best player in the world, but the one thing I did have in abundance was enthusiasm. People to this day still remind me about the banner, and to see that behind the goal, that means as much to me as the medal.”

Competing at the very highest level of the game at club level saw Jones soon make his senior debut for Cymru against Austria in November 1975 under Mike Smith. Jones would play an important role in the famous Cymru team that reached the quarter finals of the European Championships a year later, but anything prior to the last four was considered a qualifying match during that era.

As their achievements were not recognised as competing at the finals of a major tournament, that squad of players would become known as ‘the forgotten team’ in Welsh football history, but the players that represented Cymru are remembered as some of the true greats to have worn the dragon on their shirt. Jones also played in three Cymru victories over England in 1977, 1980 and 1984.

“Someone once told me I’m the only living Welshman who has played in three wins against them,” said Jones to the Daily Post newspaper in 2008. “But they don’t mean any more to me than any of the games I played. I was always pleased every time I was called up and it was a massive boost to my pride. I never thought about dropping out.”

Jones would make 72 appearances for his country between 1975 and 1986 with his only goal being scored in a 4-4 draw with Yugoslavia in 1982. He returned to Wrexham for a second spell in 1978 but left for Chelsea in 1982 and became a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge for his tenacious defending. He would also impress for Huddersfield before returning to Wrexham for a third time in 1987 and would end his playing career there in 1992.

Despite his humble nature off the field, Jones will go down in history as one of the best defenders of his generation for what he achieved with Liverpool, but it was his dedication to the game, his no-nonsense style and his genuine love for the clubs that he represented that will forever endear him to the fans, and how they appreciated that he was so much like them with his desire just to play football.

In total, Jones played over 800 professional games for club and country over two decades, but his passion for the game continued to burn and he remained heavily involved with Wrexham as a youth and reserve coach, while also taking charge of the first team on a caretaker basis in 2001. A popular figure around the Racecourse on matchday, Jones remained a supporter of the club where his contribution will forever be remembered.