Bill Jones (footballer)
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William 'Bill' Henry Jones (born 13th May 1921) was an England international footballer who played for Liverpool.
[edit] Life and playing career
Born in Whalley Bridge, Derbyshire, England, Bill played for Hayfield St Matthews before Liverpool manager George Kay took the 17 year old to Anfield in the September 1938.
The Second World War curtailed Jones' early career taking away 6 years from his playing days, although he did appear as a wartime guest for York, Leeds and Reading.
He, finally, made his debut, along with Len Carney and Cyril Sidlow, as a 25 year old on the opening day of the 1946/47 season, the 31st August, at Bramall Lane, it turned out to be a day to remember as the Reds beat their hosts, Sheffield United 1-0 through a goal by Carney.
Jones opened his goalscoring account with a brace at Anfield on the 7th September 1946 in one of Liverpool's more famous results, the 7-4 defeat of Chelsea, the 49,995 crowd were treated to a feast of goals with the Reds goals coming from Billy Liddell in the 3rd and 50th minutes, Jones in the 24th and 30th, Willie Fagan 44th and 87th and Jack Balmer in the 47th minute.
By the end of the first post-war season Bill had helped Liverpool to their first Division one championship in 24 years, just pipping bitter rivals Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who both finished on 56, by a single point. The title went right down to the last day of the season with Liverpool trailing Wolves by 1 point. As luck would have it, Liverpool would have to travel to Molineux for a final day showdown. 50,765 packed into Molineux on the 31st May 1947 with the majority waiting in anticipation for a championship party especially as Wolves had already thumped the Reds 5-1 at Anfield, however, Liverpool had other plans and came away with a 2-1 victory with the goals coming from Balmer and Albert Stubbins. Bill played a major role in the game and also appeared 26 times during the season scoring 6 goals.
The following 7 seasons saw Bill become a integral member of the side, he was the Jamie Carragher of his day being able to play in several different postions, and doing so well.
He was a member of he side that made Liverpool history when they appeared at Wembley for very first time in the F.A Cup final on the 29th April 1950, unfortunately, Arsenal spoilt the Merseysider's day by scoring 2 unreplied goals in front of the 100,000 crowd.
England manager Walter Winterbottom saw Jones' quality and selected him for the game against Portugal at Kenilworth Road, Leicester on the 14th April 1950, the English made it a day to remember for Jones winning an exciting game by 5 goals to 3, Jones made 1 other appearance for his country.
Liverpool's league form got gradually worse and they were eventually relegated at the end of the 1953/54 season. This season also proved to be Jones' last for the Reds after 277 appearances scoring 17 goals. His last ever game came on the 24th April 1954, at Bloomfield Road, Liverpool had already been relegated so the 3-0 defeat to Blackpool didn't make any difference to the league positions.
Jones went on to become player/manager at Ellesmere Port, he then returned to the club he loved as a scout during the 1960's and 70's where he discovered a lot of quality players.
Bill passed on his football genes to his Grandson Rob who followed in Granddad Bill's footsteps by playing for both Liverpool and England.
[edit] Career details
- Liverpool (1938 - 1954)† - 277 appearances, 17 goals - Football League First Division (level 1) championship winners medal (1947) F.A.Cup runners-up medal (1950)
- England (1950) 2 caps
†Bill's career was curtailed by 6 years due to the outbreak of World War ll
