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Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wrexham and Liverpool legend Joey Jones dies aged 70
Wrexham, Liverpool and Wales legend Joey Jones has died at the age of 70. The former left-back, who also played for Chelsea and Huddersfield, became a cult hero at clubs on both sides of the border and became the first Welshman to receive a European Cup winner's medal when Liverpool won the trophy for the first time in 1977. He also won 72 caps for Wales and was hailed as 'Mr Wrexham' after returning to work at the club after three spells there as a player. Having started his career at Wrexham, where he made his debut at the age of 17, Jones moved to Anfield in 1975 in a £110,000 deal, and went on to win the First Division and UEFA Cup during his time there. READ MORE: Three parties interested in Cardiff City takeover as 'South African-led consortium' emerges READ MORE: Paul Gascoigne rushed to intensive care after being found by friend He became part of Liverpool folklore when Reds fans unfurled a now-legendary banner at the 1977 European Cup final, which read 'Joey Ate The Frogs Legs, Made The Swiss Roll, Now He's Munching Gladbach'. Jones then returned to Wales by re-joining Wrexham, with the club paying a record £210,000 to bring him back. That remained the club's record signing for over 40 years, until Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over and brought in Ollie Palmer from AFC Wimbledon for £300,000 in 2022. He then moved to Chelsea, helping the team to claim the Second Division title in 1983/84, before later signing for Huddersfield Town where he was named their player of the year in his first season. The tough-tackling defender then returned for a third spell with Wrexham, making a total of 479 appearances for the club before hanging up his boots in 1992. However, his long association with the club went on as he later worked there as an U18s and reserve team coach, while he even had a brief spell as caretaker manager between the departure of Brian Flynn and Denis Smith in 2001. While he scaled back his work at the club after undergoing heart surgery in 2002, Jones returned to the Red Dragons as a youth team ambassador nearly 20 years later. His death was announced on Tuesday morning, with fellow Liverpool legend John Aldridge revealing the sad news on social media. "More sad news folks," Aldridge wrote on X. "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 topman." Jones' close friend and former team-mate Mickey Thomas said: "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 X." Former Wrexham striker Jonny Taylor also paid tribute to Jones as he wrote: "I was lucky enough to have played for you and also to know you as a person and I'll be forever grateful of that! "Grown up watching you raise your fist to us week in week out on the kop, your passion for Wrexham was special! A true legend! Love you Joey."
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Long-serving Caton steps down as Bala manager
Bala Town boss Colin Caton, the Cymru Premier's longest serving manager, has stepped down after 22 years and 880 games in charge at Maes 54, was appointed manager in 2003 and oversaw the club's rise from the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) to the Cymru Premier, where they have spent the last 16 former Rhyl and Colwyn Bay defender guided Bala to a first ever Welsh Cup in 2017, defeating the New Saints 2-1 in the final, as well as the Nathaniel MG Cup in Caton, Bala finished runners-up in the Cymru Premier on three occasions and qualified for European competition nine times, facing Standard Liege in 2020. Bala finished sixth last season but failed to qualify for next season's Europa Conference League after losing to Cardiff Met in the play-offs."The club will be forever grateful to Colin for his outstanding service, his complete commitment to the position, his dedication, his enthusiasm, his determination, his professionalism and his outstanding achievements," Bala said in a statement."His resignation will not affect the bond of friendship and family which he has with so many within the club."His resignation will never lessen the wonderful memories and his resignation will certainly never dim the admiration, the respect and the gratitude which Bala Town holds for Colin."
