| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1856 | ||
| Place of birth | Wrexham, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 1899 (aged 42–43) | ||
| Place of death | Wrexham, Wales | ||
| Position(s) | Left Wing | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1876–1878 | Druids | ||
| 1878–1879 | Oswestry | ||
| 1879–1885 | Druids | ||
| International career | |||
| 1877 | Wales | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
John Jones (1856 – 25 April 1899) was a Welsh amateur footballer who spent most of his football career with Druids, and played for the Wales national football team in their first international match in 1876.
Football career
[edit]Jones worked as a coal-miner at Gwersyllt, near Wrexham and joined the Druids club, based in his home town of Ruabon, in 1875.[1]
In February 1876, he took part in trials organized by Llewelyn Kenrick (one of the founders of the Druids club) to select Welsh players to represent their country in a match against Scotland.[2] The match was played at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, the home of the West of Scotland Cricket Club on 25 March 1876, with Jones playing on the left wing.[3] The Welsh were well defeated, conceding four goals without reply.[4]
Jones was known throughout North Wales football circles as "Dirty Jack"; this was not in reference to his occupation but to his style of football. In common with many players of the 1880s, he was a "tough and vigorous opponent who gave no quarter".[1]
Druids reached the final of the inaugural Welsh Cup on 30 March 1878, losing 1–0 to local rivals Wrexham.[5]
In 1878, the Druids disbanded temporarily following the loss of their ground at Plasmadoc, with Jones spending a season playing for Oswestry. By 1879, he was back with Druids with the club again reaching the Welsh Cup final, defeating Ruthin 2–1, with Jones scoring the Druids second goal.[6]
Druids were victorious in the Welsh Cup in the next two seasons, defeating Newtown White Star 2–0 in 1881[7] and Northwich Victoria 5–0 in 1882.[8]
Druids again reached the final in 1883, losing 1–0 to Wrexham.[9] Jones did not feature in the 1884 final, but returned in 1885, now playing in goal[1] as Druids defeated Oswestry White Stars 3–1 in a replay.[10]
After Football
[edit]Jones lived on Bridge Street, Ruabon and worked for many years as the chief clerk at the Great Western Railway Station.[11]
Death
[edit]John Jones died from side effects of typhoid on 25 April 1899.[11]
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Davies, Gareth; Garland, Ian (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players. Bridge Books. p. 108. ISBN 1-872424-11-2.
- ^ "The Story of Welsh Football". 1876 Kenrick's Challenge. www.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "1876 Programme". The Story of Welsh Football. www.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Scotland 4 Wales 0 (25 March 1876)". Welsh Football Data Archive. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Wrexham 1 Druids 0 (30 March 1878)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Druids 2 Ruthin 1 (13 March 1880)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Druids 2 Newtown White Star 0 (26 March 1881)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Druids 5 Northwich Victoria 0 (8 April 1882)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Wrexham 1 Druids 0 (21 April 1883)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Druids 3 Oswestry White Stars 1 (March 1885)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ a b https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000496/18990429/061/0008.
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