Jones Di Image 1 Bolton Wanderers 1896

Description

Trefonen, near Oswestry, Shropshire born left back Di Jones began his career with Oswestry in 1882 and helped them win the Shropshire Cup. Jones then moved to Chirk in 1883, with whom he won the Welsh Cup in 1887 as Club Captain. He was then persuaded to join Newton Heath (now Manchester United) later in 1887, however he soon moved on to Bolton Wanderers in March 1888 after just two friendly appearances for The Heathens.

Jones made his international debut for Wales national on 3rd March 1888, playing at right half in an 11-0 thrashing of Ireland at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. In a 12 year international career, Jones made a total of 16 appearances, but two, against Canada in 1891, were uncapped and deemed unofficial. His final appearance for Wales came on 26th March 1900, in a 1-1 draw with England at Cardiff Arms Park, in which he played at right back.

Jones was noted for his strong tackling and ability to kick with either foot, and he was capable of playing in either full back position, though he normally appeared at left back. Jones made his Football League debut at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End on 22nd September 1888. Bolton Wanderers were defeated by the home team 3-1 in Preston’s “Invincibles” Double winning season. Jones appeared in 12 matches during their initial League campaign but became much more of a regular fixture over coming seasons, missing only one match the following season, playing as Bolton were beaten in the 1890 FA Cup semi final by Sheffield Wednesday at Wellington Road, Perry Barr, in Birmingham.

At Bolton he became club captain, and was an ever present in 1892-93. He captained the side in the 1894 FA Cup Final, but finished on the losing side as Notts County defeated Wanderers 4-1 in a shock victory at Goodison Park. He was a regular throughout Bolton’s first ten seasons as a League club, scoring 8 goals in 256 appearances for The Trotters before moving to Second Division Manchester City, where his former Chirk teammate Billy Meredith was a player.

He made his Manchester City debut against Luton Town on 8 October 1898, becoming one of the first players to play for both principal Manchester clubs. In his first season at City the club won promotion to the First Division, finishing as Second Division Champions. He was then a regular for three seasons in the top flight but after their relegation in 1902, having scored one goal in 118 appearances for City, Jones was playing in a pre-season practice match that August when he suffered a cut to his knee after falling on a piece of glass. The wound became infected, and Jones died of blood poisoning and lockjaw ten days later.

His nephew was the famous Welsh international footballer and football manager Lot Jones.