Wrexham legend Joey Jones has passed away at the age of 70, with tributes pouring in throughout the day.
Wrexham fans will all have their personal favourite players from over the years, with so many cult heroes springing to mind from long before the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds era.
Few will even come close to Joey Jones, though, with the former defender affectionately known as ‘Mr Wrexham’.
Jones passed away on Tuesday, with Wrexham fans uniting to share their condolences and memories of a true club icon.
Jones came up through the Wrexham ranks before helping Liverpool win back-to-back European cups in the 1970s.
A return to Wrexham followed, and he later came back to finish his career with the club after spells with Chelsea and Huddersfield Town.
Rob McElhenney sends message on Joey Jones
Jones not only played for Wrexham in three different decades, but also moved into youth team coaching after hanging up his boots in 1992.
Wrexham will build a statue of Jones outside the STōK Cae Ras, meaning his legacy will be a permanent fixture of the club’s future.
Fans have been sending emotional tributes to Jones all day long, and co-chairman Rob McElhenney has shared his thoughts.
McElhenney sent a message to Wrexham icon Mickey Thomas, sending love in his direction as well as to the Jones family.
McElhenney added that Jones is ‘a legend that will never be forgotten’, which is certainly true in terms of the hearts of Wrexham fans, but also with the statue honouring him for years to come.
Tributes paid to Joey Jones
Big names from the footballing world have paid tribute to Jones too, with his brilliance for Wrexham, Liverpool and Wales recognised.
Former Wales star John Hartson branded Jones ‘one of the best’, while ex-Liverpool man Jan Molby hailed him as ‘the fan on the pitch’.
Neville Southall paid a touching tribute to Jones, suggesting that ‘God obviously needs a left back, he’s got a great one now’.
Wrexham hero Andy Morrell called Jones a ‘proper legend’, adding that his advice would live with him forever.
Jamie Carragher, Frank Sinclair, Peter Moore, John Aldridge and FAW Chief Executive Noel Mooney also sent messages, with Jones’ passing touching many in the football world.