Ex-Wales and Liverpool defender Jones dies aged 70

Joey Jones won 72 caps for Wales between 1975 and 1986

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.

His former club Wrexham said it was "devastated" by his death and announced plans to commemorate Jones with a statue in the public plaza outside the new Stok Cae Ras' Kop Stand.

His close friend and former Wales, Wrexham and Chelsea team-mate Mickey Thomas posted on social media: "This morning I lost my best friend and soulmate, Sir Joey, our memories will never fade. Today my heart is broken."

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said Jones would be regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation despite his "humble nature".

A statement added: "It was his dedication to the game, his no-nonsense style and his genuine love for the clubs that he represented that will forever endear him to the fans, and how they appreciated that he was so much like them with his desire just to play football."

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge said: "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. I'm a lucky man to have met him many times."

Former Wrexham team-mate and manager of Jones, Dixie McNeil, said: "It's tragic, he was a super lad and a super player.

"He didn't give you 70 percent or 80 percent, he gave you 110 percent every game and he was a team player on top of that.

"He was a great professional footballer, you won't better him in that sense. He had everything you wanted from a player."

A young Joey Jones in 1974 during his first spell with Wrexham

Wrexham's owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney both paid their respects on social media.

Reynolds wrote: "I'm really glad I got to spend time with you. Thanks for the stories.

"Condolences to his family, friends and Mickey. Rest up, Joey. Big second half coming up."

"Love to you Mickey Thomas and the entire Jones family," added McElhenney.

"Sir Joey is a legend that will never be forgotten."

Former Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall posted: "A Welsh legend and a good friend.

"God obviously needs a left-back. He's got a great one now."