Latest news with #Llandudno
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ryan Reynolds pays touching tribute to Wrexham legend Joey Jones after his death at the age of 70
Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to former Wrexham defender Joey Jones following his death at the age of 70. Llandudno-born left-back Jones made 479 appearances for the Red Dragons across three spells with the club. Such was his affinity with the club and the area, Jones was affectionately known as 'Mr Wrexham' by all those associated with the team. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday night, Hollywood A-lister Reynolds posted a picture of himself and fellow co-owner Rob McElhenney alongside Jones to send a touching message. 'I'm really glad I got to spend time with you,' wrote Reynolds, who completed his takeover of the club with McElhenney in 2021. 'Thanks for the stories. Condolences to his family, friends and Mickey (Thomas, Jones' close friend and former Wrexham team-mate). Rest up, Joey. Big second half coming up.' Jones, who was capped 72 times by Wales, began his career with Wrexham in 1973 before moving to Liverpool, where he won two European Cups and a league title, two years later. He returned to play at the Racecourse Ground between 1978 and 1982 and then ended his career with the club - from 1987 to 1992 - following stints with Chelsea and Huddersfield. Jones joined Wrexham as a teenager in 1971 and in his first spell he was part of the side who won the Welsh Cup in 1975. On Tuesday, Wrexham said that they were 'devastated' after learning of the passing of a club legend in a statement. The Championship side also revealed plans to commemorate Jones' Wrexham legacy, which include the commissioning of a statue to be placed in the public plaza outside the new Kop Stand. A former Wrexham stadium announcer said: 'The word devastated doesn't even get close today. Joey Jones was the very foundation this club was built on. A true gentleman, who despite moving to clubs away never left Wrexham. True legend. My thoughts are with Janice & the family. RIP Joey.' Tributes poured in from those associated with the Anfield club, too. Liverpool legend John Aldridge wrote on X: 'More sad news folks Joey Jones passed away last night. '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 YNWA RIP top man.' Jamie Carragher also said: 'RIP Joey Jones.' In a statement on Tuesday, the Anfield club expressed their 'deep sadness' at the passing of their former star and icon. 'The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Joey's family and friends at this sad time,' concluded a heartwarming tribute to Jones on the club's website. After his tropy-laden spell at Anfield, he returned to Wrexham as their record signing for £200,000 in 1978 and spent another four years with them before going to Chelsea. In his first season he helped the Blues survive relegation from the Second Division, and in his second he was instrumental as they stormed to the title to reach the top flight. After three years at Chelsea, he joined Huddersfield in 1985 and was their player of the season in his debut year.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ryan Reynolds pays tribute after death of Joey Jones
Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to former Wrexham defender Joey Jones following his death at the age of 70. Llandudno-born left-back Jones made 479 appearances for the Red Dragons across three spells with the club. Hollywood A-lister Reynolds posted a picture on Instagram of himself and fellow co-owner Rob McElhenney alongside Jones. 'I'm really glad I got to spend time with you,' wrote Reynolds, who completed his takeover of the club with McElhenney in 2021. 'Thanks for the stories. Condolences to his family, friends and Mickey (Thomas, Jones' close friend and former Wrexham team-mate). Rest up, Joey. Big second half coming up.' Jones, who was capped 72 times by Wales, began his career with Wrexham in 1973 before moving to Liverpool, where he won two European Cups and a league title, two years later. He returned to play at the Racecourse Ground between 1978 and 1982 and then ended his career with the club – from 1987 to 1992 – following stints with Chelsea and Huddersfield.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Wales and Liverpool defender Jones dies aged 70
Former Wales, Liverpool and Wrexham defender Joey Jones has died aged 70. The left-back, who won 72 caps for his country, had three spells with Wrexham in addition to stints with Liverpool, Chelsea and Huddersfield Town. He enjoyed a glittering three-year period with Liverpool - winning a First Division title, two European Cups, a Uefa Cup and a European Super Cup. The Reds' victory against Borussia Monchengladbach in Rome in 1977 saw him become the first Welshman to lift the European Cup. It led to fans creating a 24ft banner that read 'Joey ate the frogs legs, made the Swiss roll, now he's munching Gladbach'. Jones lifted the Welsh Cup in his first spell with Wrexham and helped Chelsea secure the Second Division title in 1983-84. He sits joint-15th alongside Mark Hughes in the list of most capped male players for Wales. The Llandudno-born left-back became Wrexham's record signing upon his first return to the club in 1978 and held the record until Ollie Palmer moved to the Stok Cae Ras in 2022. Jones retired from football in 1992 at the age of 37. A Wrexham statement read: "Wrexham AFC are devastated to learn of the passing of club legend Joey Jones, who sadly died in the early hours of this morning aged 70 after a battle with illness." The Championship club announced plans to commemorate Jones by commissioning a statue to be placed in the public plaza outside the Stok Cae Ras' Kop Stand. Paying tribute on X, his great friend and former Wales, Wrexham and Chelsea team-mate Mickey Thomas wrote on X: "This morning I lost my best friend and soulmate, 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." Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge said: "More sad news folks, Joey Jones passed away last night. "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. YNWA [You'll Never Walk Alone] RIP top man." Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: "Everyone in Welsh football was sorry to hear of the passing of Joey Jones - @Wrexham_AFC @Cymru legend. Loved by many. Cwsg mewn hedd (rest in peace) Joey."
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Joey Jones, former Liverpool, Wrexham and Wales defender, dies aged 70
The former Liverpool and Wales defender Joey Jones has died at the age of 70. Jones played 100 times in a trophy-laden spell at Liverpool, winning two European Cups, a Uefa Cup and a league title in three years. The Llandudno-born left-back earned 72 caps for Wales, starting and ending his career at Wrexham after spells at Anfield, Chelsea and Huddersfield. Jones's former Wales teammate 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's contribution to Liverpool was immortalised in the 'Joey ate the frogs legs, made the Swiss roll, now he's munching Gladbach' banner revealed by fans at the 1977 European Cup final victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. The banner was in reference to victories over Saint-Étienne 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. There were also tributes on X from former Liverpool stars Jamie Carragher and John Aldridge and the Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney. 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.'
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Liverpool and Wales star Joey Jones dies aged 70
Joey Jones, part of the first Liverpool team to win the European Cup and one of Wales' most capped defenders, has died at the age of 70. The former full-back had three spells at Wrexham and also played for Chelsea and Huddersfield during a lengthy career. Jones only played 100 games for Liverpool during a three-year stay at Anfield but still won four European trophies. A substitute in both legs of the 1976 Uefa Cup final and the 1978 European Cup final, he started the 1977 European Cup final, as Liverpool beat Borussia Monchengladbach, and the first leg of the Super Cup win over Hamburg. In the European Cup final in Rome, Jones was immortalised in a banner that referenced their victories over Saint-Etienne and Zurich in previous rounds and read: Joey Ate The Frogs' Legs, Made The Swiss Roll, Now He's Munching Gladbach'. Jones, who was born in Llandudno, began his career at Wrexham, winning the Welsh Cup with his local club before moving to Liverpool, where he helped Bob Paisley's team lift the league title in 1977. He was sold the following year, rejoining Wrexham as their record signing – a status he held for 44 years. Jones won the Player of the Year award at both Chelsea and Huddersfield before going back to Wrexham. His final appearance for them came almost two decades after his debut and he went on to become a coach and caretaker manager at the Racecourse Ground. Wrexham released a statement paying tribute to him, writing: 'Wrexham AFC are devastated to learn of the passing of Club legend Joey Jones, who sadly died in the early hours of this morning aged 70 after a battle with illness. 'Known as 'Mr. Wrexham', Jones' association with the Club goes back more than 50 years, and the thoughts of all at the Football Club are with his family, friends and former team-mates and colleagues at this sad time. '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.' Wrexham added that the club would pay tribute to his career by commissionning a statue of Jones outside the new Kop Stand. Jones also won 72 caps for Wales between 1975 and 1986 and was in the team who almost qualified for the 1986 World Cup. Wrexham and Wales great Mickey Thomas described Jones as 'my best mate and soulmate' while former Liverpool striker John Aldridge said he was 'a lovely man and an inspirational full back who gave his heart and soul in a red shirt'.
