Ray Jones (footballer, born 1944)

Ray Jones (4 June 1944 – July 2007) was an English professional footballer who played as a full back. He was born and died in Chester, made 170 Football League appearances for Chester, and also played and managed in non-league football.

Ray Jones
Personal information
Full name Raymond Michael Jones
Date of birth (1944-06-04)4 June 1944
Place of birth Chester, England
Date of death July 2007 (aged 63)
Place of death Chester, England
Position(s) Full back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1962–1969 Chester 170 (0)
1969–1971 Runcorn
1971–197? Oswestry Town
197?–197? Bethesda Athletic
1974–1979 Colwyn Bay
Managerial career
1975–1979 Colwyn Bay
c.1981–1986 Rhyl
c.1989–1992 Connah's Quay Nomads
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing and Managerial Career

Jones joined Chester as a schoolboy, making his first-team debut in a 1–0 win over Hartlepool United on 7 December 1962 in the number 2 shirt.[1] By the 1964–65 season Jones was a regular in the side, performing well when asked to mark George Best in an FA Cup tie against Manchester United in January 1965.[2]

Unfortunately, Jones and his namesake and fellow full-back Bryn Jones suffered fractured legs in a match against Aldershot twelve months later.[2] The pair missed the remainder of the season as Chester fell out of promotion contention, with Ray not returning to action until October.[1] He remained at the club until the end of the 1968–69 season, with his final game being a 1–0 home defeat to Exeter City on 19 April 1969.[1]

That was to be the last Football League match played by Jones, as he joined non–league side Runcorn. He followed it up by playing for Oswestry Town, Bethesda Athletic and Colwyn Bay, where he became player–manager.[2] He went on to have spells as manager of Rhyl, where he achieved three promotions, and Connah's Quay Nomads. Away from football he worked as an engineer.[2]

Jones died in July 2007 at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd near Chester.[3]

References
  1. Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885-1997. pp. stats section. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
  2. "Ray Jones 1944-2007". chester-city.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  3. "Tributes paid to former manager". Rhyl Journal. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
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