FAREWELL TO JOEY, A TRUE FOOTBALL LEGEND

WREXHAM TO BUILD STATUE HONOURING DEFENDER WHO WON DOMESTIC AND EUROPEAN TITLES WITH LIVERPOOL FC

- By Liam Randall, Neil Docking, and Cameron Winstanley

THE football world is mourning the loss of Liverpool and Wrexham icon Joey Jones, who has died at the age of 70.

Tributes are pouring in for the Welsh legend, famed for his iconic clenched fist salute and a memorable banner that captured the hearts of Liverpool fans.

John Aldridge, a fellow Reds hero, expressed his sorrow on X yesterday posting: "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 topman."

Former Chelsea and Huddersfield ace Jones, known for his robust defensive play, began his illustrious career at Wrexham, where he made his first appearance at the age of 17. He later fulfilled a childhood dream by joining Liverpool in 1975 after Bob Paisley, the Anfield legend, secured his transfer for approximately £110,000.

He etched his name into history as the first Welsh player to win a European Cup winners medal when Liverpool clinched the title in 1977, overcoming Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1. The victory followed wins against Saint-Etienne in the quarterfinals and Zurich in the semifinals.

A special banner displayed by Liverpool supporters during the European Cup final in Rome celebrated Jones' contributions: 'Joey Ate The Frogs Legs, Made The Swiss Roll, Now He's Munching Gladbach.'

The banner has become a part of Liverpool folklore and is widely regarded as the most iconic in the Reds' history.

The cult hero, who was often greeted with the renowned 'oh Joey, Joey' chant from the Kop, made exactly 100 appearances for the Merseyside giants, during which he also clinched the First Division and UEFA Cup.