Liverpool hero Joey Jones dies aged 70

Joey Jones

Former Liverpool hero Joey Jones has died aged 70 after a period of illness.

The Welsh full-back joined the Reds from his hometown club Wrexham in 1975 and became a cult hero among fans in the three years he was at Anfield.

The left-back, who was a boyhood Liverpool fan, won the League title, two European Cups, the European Super Cup and the UEFA Cup during his time with the Reds.

He was also memorably the feature of the iconic banner 'Joey ate the frogs legs' as Liverpool conquered Europe.

It read in full: "Joey ate the frogs legs, made the Swiss roll, now he's munching Gladbach."

His passing was confirmed by Liverpool legend John Aldridge on Tuesday morning.

The former Reds striker, who is also chairman of the the club's official former players association, Forever Reds, wrote on social media: "More sad news folks Joey Jones passed away last night.

"What a lovely man and an inspirational full back who gave his heart and soul in a red shirt and for all the clubs he played for !

"Our thoughts are with joeys family ! I'm a lucky man to have met him many times YNWA RIP topman".

Fellow Reds legend Jamie Carragher would also react to Jones' passing on social media as tributes to the former Liverpool star flooded in

Sharing a picture of the iconic 'Joey ate the frogs legs' banner, he wrote: "RIP Joey Jones"

Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, would also post a picture of Jones' banner as he paid tribute to the former Reds defender.

He wrote: "Rest in power the legend that was Joey Jones".

Meanwhile, Ged Rea, Liverpool FC's statistician, wrote:

"Saddened to hear of the passing of another Reds legend. The fan on the pitch who lived and played out all our dreams.

"His clenched fist as he ran towards the Kop before every game will never be forgotten. RIP Joey Jones."

Wrexham would later also share their devastation at the death of the club legend in an official statement, as they confirmed his battle with illness.

It read: "Wrexham AFC are devastated to learn of the passing of Club legend Joey Jones, who sadly died in the early hours of this morning aged 70 after a battle with illness.

"Former Wales international and European champion Jones represented Wrexham across three spells with the Club, before a long association with the Club off the pitch – as a first-team coach, youth coach and ambassador and a brief spell as interim manager.

"Known as “Mr. Wrexham”, Jones’ association with the club goes back more than 50 years, and the thoughts of all at the Football Club are with his family, friends and former team-mates and colleagues at this sad time...

Jones, who joined the Reds as a 20-year-old, made 100 appearances for the Reds, registering three goals and three assists, before returning to Wrexham in January 1978.

Jones would return to Wrexham in 1978 and later went on to play for Chelsea and Huddersfield Town.

He finished his career with a third stint with Wrexham after returning to the club in 1987, before hanging up his boots in 1992.

Capped 72 times by Wales, the Reds paid £110,000 for his services in 1975 with Jones going on to become the first ever Welshman to win the European Cup when helping Liverpool beat Borussia Monchengladbach in 1977.

His famous banner was unfurled before the final in Rome against the German outfit, after the defender had helped Liverpool beat Saint-Etienne in the quarter-finals and Zurich in the semi-finals.

It has gone down in Liverpool folklore and is widely considered to be the greatest banner in the Reds' history, while he would often be serenaded with chants of 'Oh Joey, Joey' chant.