Ex-Wales and Liverpool defender Jones dies aged 70

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.

A Wrexham statement read: "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."

The Championship club announced plans to commemorate Jones by commissioning a statue to be placed in the public plaza outside the Stok Cae Ras' Kop Stand.

Paying tribute on X, his great friend and former Wales, Wrexham and Chelsea team-mate Mickey Thomas wrote on X: "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. My condolences are with Janice and all the family."

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge said: "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 [You'll Never Walk Alone] RIP top man."

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: "Everyone in Welsh football was sorry to hear of the passing of Joey Jones - @Wrexham_AFC @Cymru legend. Loved by many. Cwsg mewn hedd (rest in peace) Joey."