John Jones (footballer, born 1856)

John Jones (born 1856) 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.

John Jones
Personal information
Date of birth 1856
Place of birth Wrexham, Wales
Date of death Unknown
Playing position(s) Left Wing
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1876–1878 Druids
1878–1879 Oswestry
1879–1885 Druids
National team
1877 Wales 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

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]

Honours
Druids
  • Welsh Cup
    • Winners: 1880, 1881, 1882 & 1885
    • Finalists: 1878 & 1883
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References
  1. Davies, Gareth; Garland, Ian (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players. Bridge Books. p. 108. ISBN 1-872424-11-2.
  2. "The Story of Welsh Football". 1876 Kenrick's Challenge. www.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  3. "1876 Programme". The Story of Welsh Football. www.wrexham.gov.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  4. "Scotland 4 Wales 0 (25 March 1876)". Welsh Football Data Archive. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  5. "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.
  6. "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.
  7. "Druids 2 Newtown White Star 0 (26 March 1881)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  8. "Druids 5 Northwich Victoria 0 (8 April 1882)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  9. "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.
  10. "Druids 3 Oswestry White Stars 1 (March 1885)". Welsh Cup Final. Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
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