Welsh football icon Joey Jones has died aged 70, prompting an outpouring of grief from the football community.
Former Liverpool teammate John Aldridge announced the news this morning, describing Jones as "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".
Aldridge added: "Our thoughts are with Joey's family! I'm a lucky man to have met him many times. YNWA RIP topman."
The defender, who represented Liverpool, Wrexham, Chelsea and Huddersfield during his career, was renowned for his passionate playing style and distinctive pre-match ritual of raising his clenched fist towards supporters.
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|Joey Jones won two European Cups and a First Division title during his time at Anfield
Jones achieved legendary status at Anfield after Bob Paisley secured his services from Wrexham for approximately £110,000 in 1975.
The tough-tackling full-back made history as the first Welsh player to win a European Cup medal when Liverpool defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 in the 1977 final.
Liverpool supporters created what many consider the club's greatest ever banner for that Rome final, declaring: "Joey Ate The Frogs Legs, Made The Swiss Roll, Now He's Munching Gladbach."
JUST IN: English football marks 'historic moment' as independent regulator enshrined in UK lawSad to hear of Joey Jones passing. The inspiration behind one of football's most iconic banners. One of my very first footballing memories in 1977#RIP #JoeyJones #LFC pic.twitter.com/ZRgMqWoujd
— Gav (not) the Gaffer (@GavTheGaffer) July 22, 2025
The Kop regularly serenaded their cult hero with chants of "oh Joey, Joey" during his century of appearances for the Merseyside club.
Jones added a second European Cup triumph in 1978, along with First Division, UEFA Cup and European Super Cup honours during his memorable Anfield tenure.
Jones made his professional debut for Wrexham at just 17 years old and would return to his boyhood club on two further occasions throughout his career.
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His 1978 move back to the Red Dragons set a club transfer record of £210,000, a figure that stood for over 40 years until Ollie Palmer's £300,000 arrival under the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney ownership in January 2022.
Following four years in his second Wrexham stint, Jones joined Chelsea in 1982 and played a crucial part in their Second Division championship victory in the 1983-84 season.
The Welshman spent three years at Stamford Bridge before signing for Huddersfield Town in 1985, where he earned player of the year honours in his inaugural campaign.
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|Joey Jones played a starring role fo rLiverpool during a successful period for the ckub
His playing days concluded with a third Wrexham spell, accumulating 479 total appearances for the club before retiring after the 1991-92 season.
Jones earned 72 international caps for Wales between 1975 and 1982, representing his country with the same fierce commitment he displayed at club level.
Following retirement, he transitioned into coaching roles at Wrexham, working with the under-18s and reserves whilst briefly serving as caretaker manager in 2001 between Brian Flynn's departure and Denis Smith's appointment.
Heart surgery in 2002 forced him to reduce his workload, though he continued mentoring young players and accepted a youth team ambassador position in 2021.
The BBC named him Wrexham's "ultimate Cult Hero," whilst supporters remembered his defiant fist salute and fearless challenges.
"A giant on the pitch, a gentleman off it," wrote Wrexham fan podcast Fearless in Devotion, adding: "We will carry your name forevermore."