Joey Jones: The Relentless Defender Who Captivated Two Clubs
The football world woke up to some sad news: Joey Jones, the tireless Welsh defender who stole the hearts of Liverpool and Wrexham fans alike, has died at the age of 70. Born in the small Welsh town of Flint in 1955, Jones started his football journey at Wrexham and, decades later, finished it right where it all began. But between those bookends, he crafted a story packed with grit, glory, and huge splashes of pure love from the terraces.
Jones signed for Liverpool in 1975 and, although his time at Anfield lasted only three years, he packed in a career's worth of memories. He made over fifty league appearances, but numbers only tell half the story. His most famous moments came in the European Cup, where he played a key part in Liverpool's historic back-to-back wins in 1977 and 1978. That run included legendary nights—and a connection to the club’s most famous end, The Kop, that became the stuff of football folklore.
The now-legendary 'Joey Ate the Frogs Legs, Made the Swiss Roll, Now He’s Munching Gladbach' banner, hoisted high by Liverpool fans as a tribute to his energy and fighting spirit, still pops up in conversations about Anfield magic. The banner’s message, quirky as it was, cemented his reputation as a cult hero in Merseyside. On the pitch, he offered the kind of determined defending and commitment to the cause that fans at Liverpool—and, truthfully, any club—cherish above all else.
More Than a Player: A Fan Favourite in Wrexham and Wales
After his European adventures, Jones found his way back to Wrexham, where he became more than just a returning hero. He clocked up nearly 400 league appearances for the club across three different stints, building up a connection with the fans that's hard to match. To the people of Wrexham, Joey wasn’t just one of their own—he was their pride. When A BBC poll in 2006 crowned him Wrexham’s 'ultimate Cult Hero,' there was barely a voice raised to disagree.
The Welsh national team didn't miss out, either. With 72 international caps, Jones played alongside some tough competition and left his mark as a reliable, hard-tackling left-back. He was a constant fixture for Wales through the late '70s and early '80s, sticking it out in games where grit and determination were needed most.
Jones never drifted far from the pitch. After hanging up his boots, he switched to coaching—first as a caretaker boss, then shaping young talent as a coach for Wrexham’s Under-18s and Reserve teams. Even after officially retiring from coaching duties in 2017, he slid right back as a youth team ambassador in 2021. In those roles, he taught a little football but, more importantly, set an example with work ethic and loyalty.
He even wrote an autobiography, Oh Joey, Joey!, that made enough waves to be picked as a Sky Sports News 'Book of the Week.' Not a bad twist for a guy many saw as a simple, hard-nosed defender.
Joey Jones' story blended club loyalty, *European football* glory, and a fierce love of the game that inspired both teammates and fans. Few footballers have generated quite so much affection. Jones didn’t just salute The Kop—football salutes him right back.