Joey Jones remembered as "incredible human being" in emotional service for Wrexham legend
Football legend Joey Jones was remembered as an 'incredible human being' at an emotional memorial service today. Sir Kenny Dalglish led a huge number of former Liverpool, Chelsea, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town players to attend.
Jones' close friends and former Wales and Chelsea team-mates Mickey Thomas and Eddie Niedzwiecki both broke down in tears as they paid their own personal tributes. It was an extraordinary day here in Wrexham as 2000 fans listened to speakers recall their memories of the 'legend' Jones died aged 70 last month.
His coffin was carried out of the stadium by ex team-mates including Ian Rush, Kevin Ratcliffe and Niedzwecki to the sound of Gerry and the Pacemakers 'You'll never Walk Alone.'
Some fans were crying as they said goodbye to their hero. The defender was immortalised when Liverpool supporters memorably unfurled a banner at the 1977 European Cup final against Borussia Monchengladbach having already beaten Saint Etienne and FC Zurich.
It famously read: "Joey Ate The Frogs Legs, Made The Swiss Roll, Now He's Munching Gladbach." The original banner was fixed to seats behind one of the goals.
Among the other Liverpool players to attend were Ian Callaghan, Howard Gayle and David Fairclough. Chelsea were represented by Mark Hughes, Thomas, Niedzwiecki, Colin Lee and Gary Chivers.
Wrexham legend Arfon Griffiths led a huge contingent of former home town players
Niedzwiecki sald: 'they don't make them like our Joey Joey would help anyone He was a cult hero for Chelsea.'
He recalled a match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield when Jones was sub for the Blues and both sets of fans chanted his name as he was so revered. Thomas drew sustained spontaneous applause when he called for a statue of Jones to be erected in Wrexham and called Jones who he had known since he was 14 as 'an incredible human being.'
Liverpool.s club chaplain. Bill Bygroves recalled how Jones was a childhood Liverpool supporter and had 'Liver Bird tattoo' on his arm. He said the club and its owners sent 'heartfelt condolences" and said Jones was a 'good and humble man' and would live forever in the hearts of Liverpool fans.
He said the date Jones was signed for Liverpool for just £110,000 on 14th July 1975 was a great day in the club's history. Dozens of Chelsea fans made the long trip north to pay their respects. Chelsea fan, and author, Kelvin Barker said: 'Joey was a cult hero for us at Chelsea and I know he was the same at the other clubs he played for.
'It's an honour to pay our respects alongside Wrexham, Liverpool and Huddersfield supporters. It's rare that one player can be such a hero at so many clubs -that's a real testament to Joey as a football player but more importantly as a fantastic man.'
Greig Sarath, 57, from St Ives, Cambs, said: 'I had to be here to pay my respects to one of Chelsea's greatest ever characters. 'He will never be forgotten at Stamford Bridge. I'm so pleased I saw quite a few Chelsea shirts here.'
The mourners were treated to passionate singing from the Fron Male Voice choir who sang the Welsh National Anthem and Abide with Me.
The family asked that donations in memory of Joey are made to the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Dementia UK and Dogs Trust.
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