Joey Jones has died – he had the most memorable banner in Liverpool history

Joey Jones, who won two European Cups with Liverpool, and played more than 300 games for Wrexham in three spells, has died at the age of 70 - Colorsport/Andrew Cowie

Joey Jones was a cult hero for a generation of football fans.

Supporters of Wrexham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Wales will mourn the death, aged 70, of a colourful personality who epitomised “playing for the jersey” for every club he represented, his natural enthusiasm carrying him to the summit of European football.

A proud Welshman who enjoyed numerous spells at Wrexham at the start and end of his career, it was Jones’s three years at Anfield between 1975 and 1978 which established him as a household name.

He will be forever synonymous with Liverpool’s first European Cup win of 1977, when Jones’s never-say-die spirit made him a Kop favourite and led to what many will consider the most memorable banner in the Anfield club’s history.

“Joey Ate The Frogs Legs, Made The Swiss Roll, Now He’s Munching Gladbach,” was the 24ft message unfurled in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico before that 1977 final.

The sentiment may be considered politically incorrect in 2025 – especially with regards to the reference to the defeat of France’s Saint-Etienne en route to the final and 3-1 victory over Germany’s Borussia Mönchengladbach – but it would be cherished by Jones well beyond his career.

“Seeing that banner made me feel 10ft tall,” Jones would later say. “I think as much of that banner as I do my winner’s medal.”

The 1977 European Cup win was the pinnacle of a highly successful Anfield career, in which Jones made 100 appearances and also claimed a league title, Uefa Cup and Super Cup as a steely left-back. He was also an unused substitute in the final as Liverpool retained the European Cup in 1978, beating Club Brugge at Wembley.

As Bob Paisley evolved his all-conquering side, Jones later found himself fighting for his place, eventually sold back to Wrexham in a £210,000 deal which remained a club record transfer until Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’s recent takeover of the Welsh side.

Jones was later lured to Chelsea, then struggling in the lower divisions, where he was as beloved at Stamford Bridge as Anfield and the Racecourse, helping the Londoners back to the top flight with the second division title in 1984.

Jones, second left, fought off competition from England international Alec Lindsay, third left, and Brian Kettle, right, to win the left-back berth under Bob Paisley while Phil Neal, left, overtook the claims of Tommy Smith, third right, and Chris Lawler, second right, for the No 2 shirt - Popperfoto/Harry Ormesher

He was also one of Wales’s most popular players, part of a hugely talented generation which went agonisingly close to qualifying for major tournaments, narrowly missing the chance to compete at the World Cup in 1978 and 1982.

Jones has been a regular around the Liverpool Former Players’ Association over the last 30 years, while remaining ever-devoted to Wrexham and delighting in their recent renaissance.

He was briefly caretaker manager in 2001, and was named youth team ambassador in 2021. On Tuesday, the Welsh club announced they will build a statue in Jones’s honour in the public plaza outside their stadium.

Jones, who was born in Llandudno, made more than 300 appearances for Wrexham from 1973-75, 1978-82 and 1987-92 - Shutterstock/Colorsport

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge, who fondly recalls being inspired by Jones when he stood on the Kop in the mid-70s, led the tributes on social media.

“An inspirational full-back who gave his heart and soul in a red shirt and for all the clubs he played for,” wrote Aldridge.

Jones’s close friend and Wales, Wrexham and Chelsea team-mate Mickey Thomas, wrote on social media: “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.”

Wrexham issued a statement of condolence to the ex-player they fondly remember as “Mr Wrexham”.

“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.”

Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week.