David Jones (footballer, born 1940) explained

David Jones
Fullname:David Willmott Llewellyn Jones
Position:Inside forward
Birth Date:9 April 1940
Birth Place:Kingsley, Cheshire, England
Death Place:South Africa
Youthyears1:1955–1956
Youthclubs1:Crewe Alexandra
Years1:1956–1957
Caps1:10
Goals1:1
Years2:1957–1959
Caps2:9
Goals2:0
Years3:1959–1964
Clubs3:Millwall
Caps3:165
Goals3:71
Years4:1964–1970
Clubs4:Rangers Johannesburg
Years5:1970

David Willmott Llewellyn Jones (9 April 1940 – 12 December 2013) was an English professional footballer who scored 72 goals in 184 appearances in the Football League playing for Crewe Alexandra, Birmingham City and Millwall, where he spent the majority of his career.[1] He is Millwall's seventh all-time leading scorer, with 74 goals.

Playing career

Jones was born in Kingsley, Cheshire. He began his football career as a youngster with Crewe Alexandra, and was capped by England at youth level.[2] An inside forward, Jones became Crewe's youngest goalscorer, aged 16 years 144 days, in a match against Gateshead on 10 September 1956, a record which as of March 2009 he still holds.[3] At the end of the 1956–57 season, Jones turned professional with First Division club Birmingham City.[2] He was integrated gradually into the first team, deputising occasionally for experienced forwards Peter Murphy and Bryan Orritt,[4] and had played nine games in the top flight when his progress was disrupted by a leg injury. In December 1959, Jones moved to Millwall of the Fourth Division.[2]

His first full season brought Jones 23 goals; in the next, 1961–62, he was Millwall's joint top scorer alongside Peter Burridge with 22 goals apiece as the club won the Fourth Division title. They promptly sold Burridge, and despite Jones's contributions, two years later they were relegated back to the Fourth Division.[5] Following their relegation, the size of the squad was halved; Jones was among those cut.[6] After 71 goals in 165 league games, he moved to South Africa where he played for Rangers Johannesburg.[1]

Jones died in South Africa on 12 December 2013.[7]

Honours

Notes and References

  1. Web site: David Jones . UK A–Z Transfers . Neil Brown . 18 December 2013.
  2. Book: Matthews, Tony . Birmingham City: A Complete Record . 1995 . Breedon Books . Derby . 102 . 978-1-85983-010-9.
  3. Web site: Crewe Alexandra records . . 19 June 2007 . 14 April 2009.
  4. Matthews, pp. 193–94.
  5. Web site: Millwall 1945–1964 . David . Prole . The Millwall History Files . 14 April 2009.
  6. Web site: Millwall 1964–1966: Back to Back Promotions . The Millwall History Files . 14 April 2009.
  7. Web site: Dave Jones . Millwall F.C . 17 December 2013 . 18 December 2013.