Di Jones
Encyclopedia
David "Di" Jones was a Welsh
footballer who played as a full back for Chirk
, Bolton Wanderers
and Manchester City
in the late 19th century. He also won 14 caps for the Welsh national team
.
, Shropshire
, Jones began his career with Chirk, with whom he won the Welsh Cup
in 1887 and 1888, the latter as captain. He was then persuaded to join Newton Heath
. However, he soon moved on to Bolton Wanderers in March 1889 after just two friendly appearances for the Heathens. At Bolton, he captained the side in the 1894 FA Cup Final
, but finished on the losing side as Notts County
defeated Wanderers 4–1. In ten years at Bolton, Jones made a total of 228 appearances and scored four goals, before moving to Manchester City, where his former Chirk team-mate Billy Meredith
was a player. He made his Manchester City debut against Luton Town
on 8 October 1898. In his first season at City the club won promotion
to the First Division
, the highest level of English football. He scored one goal in 114 appearances for City.
On 17 August 1902, Jones was playing in a pre-season practice match when he suffered a cut to his knee after falling on a piece of glass. The wound became infected, and Jones died a few days later.
. In a 12-year international career, Jones made a total of 16 appearances, but two, against Canada
in 1891, were uncapped. His final Wales appearance came on 26 March 1900, a 1–1 draw with England
in which he played at right-back.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
footballer who played as a full back for Chirk
Chirk AAA F.C.
Chirk AAA F.C. is a Welsh football team based in Chirk, Wales. They have been competing in the Premier division of the Welsh National League since their relegation after one season in the Cymru Alliance.....
, Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
and Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
in the late 19th century. He also won 14 caps for the Welsh national team
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
.
Club career
Born in TrefonenTrefonen
Trefonen is a small village located approximately 3 miles south-west of Oswestry, and 3 miles east of the England-Wales border, in Shropshire, England. The name translates into "village of the ash trees" in English. In 2001, the total population was 1,798, but there has been considerable...
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, Jones began his career with Chirk, with whom he won the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
in 1887 and 1888, the latter as captain. He was then persuaded to join Newton Heath
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. However, he soon moved on to Bolton Wanderers in March 1889 after just two friendly appearances for the Heathens. At Bolton, he captained the side in the 1894 FA Cup Final
1894 FA Cup Final
The 1894 FA Cup Final was contested by Notts County and Bolton Wanderers at Goodison Park. Notts County won 4–1, with goals by James Logan and Arthur Watson. Jim Cassidy scored for Bolton...
, but finished on the losing side as Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
defeated Wanderers 4–1. In ten years at Bolton, Jones made a total of 228 appearances and scored four goals, before moving to Manchester City, where his former Chirk team-mate Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
was a player. He made his Manchester City debut against Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
on 8 October 1898. In his first season at City the club won promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, the highest level of English football. He scored one goal in 114 appearances for City.
On 17 August 1902, Jones was playing in a pre-season practice match when he suffered a cut to his knee after falling on a piece of glass. The wound became infected, and Jones died a few days later.
International career
Jones made his debut for the Wales national team on 3 March 1888, playing at right-half in an 11–0 victory over Ireland at WrexhamWrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
. In a 12-year international career, Jones made a total of 16 appearances, but two, against Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
in 1891, were uncapped. His final Wales appearance came on 26 March 1900, a 1–1 draw with England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in which he played at right-back.