The Big Interview: James Morris, Jenny Cantwell, Gareth Venn, Dean Domerecki, Paul Lindsay and Peter Davies continue their chat with the one-and-only Joey Jones
How did you break into club football?
“My first break into club football came after a scout called Evan Williams
spotted me playing for the Swifts. Evan also spotted Mickey Thomas and Eddie Niedzwiecki.
I never thought in my wildest dreams I would make it into professional football. At first
I was due to sign for Burnley, but that never happened and I went to Wrexham. The day I
joined I was 15 years old - I signed at the same time as Billy Ashcroft, Bobby Scott, Dave
Smallman, Graham Whittle and Alan Hill.”
Your early days at the Racecourse?
"I always trained a lot, but there was still time for me and Mickey to have
some fun. During our lunch-hour the two of us used to have races up the floodlights! We
used to hide from the then head groundsman Aly McGowan when he came looking for the pair
of us by lying down on the top platform. My first game for Wrexham was against Chester of
all clubs! I made my debut at 17 in the Welsh Cup semi-final, and got booked! My main
memory of my first spell at Wrexham was getting to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the
age of 19. I also remember being sub during the Zurich away game. It was a great European
experience as, for one thing, I'd never been on a plane before. Now though I never get on
one out of choice!”
What about your move to Liverpool?
"The only club I wanted to play for apart from Wrexham was Liverpool. At the
time I was on £25 a week at Wrexham and at the end of 1975 they offered me £65 a week.
Liverpool came along and offered £100, but I would have gone if they had offered £40! I
remember I was on the beach at Llandudno and my dad came down to tell me that Bob Paisley
wanted to sign me. This was the Saturday and I signed on the Monday morning; by Monday
afternoon I was training next to the likes of Kevin Keegan. These guys were my footballing
heroes whose pictures I'd had on my bedroom wall. I was 20 when I signed and went straight
into the first team - then the reserves!"
Just run through what you won…
“Two League titles, I played in the ‘77 FA Cup final, the ‘77
European Cup final and was sub in '78. I played in the ‘77 Super Cup final and two
Charity Shields.”
What about your teammates at Anfield?
“The best player I played with was Kenny Dalglish, but Tommy Smith was
always my footballing hero. The toughest player I had to mark was the winger Peter Taylor,
he was a good player and strong too.”
What about your Wales career?
"My highlight as an international player has to be beating England at
Wembley! I became friendly with Brian Flynn during those days.”
What about your move back to Wales?
“I returned to Wrexham in October 1975 for, I think, £210,000. I came back
for the same wages as the players were on at Wrexham at the time, so I went down from
£300 to £150. Wrexham is my first love. I never really left even when I was away.”
Tell us about today’s squad. Dearden?
“I’ve nicknamed him TOMMY after the ex-Liverpool goalie Tommy
Lawrence.”
Hardy?
“I think I relate to defenders more and Phil’s a very good lad. I think
though that he finds it hard to get forward sometimes.”
Deryn?
“He’s got the heart of a lion - a very tough lad. He’s a real
battler: the kind of guy you really want on your side. I only hope he stays clear of
injuries.”
Carey?
“On his day I think he’s the best centre-half in this division.”
Ridler?
“He’s a very improved player - and quick. He’s willing and always
ready to listen.”
Spink?
“His attitude is spot-on. On occasions he’s been in the Reserves with
me and he sets a great example. I think he prefers to play at the back now.”
Owen?
“He’s Wrexham through and through. I think it would be fair to say that
if he’d realised his potential he’d be playing in a higher division now. I
suppose he lacks a little bit in consistency - but you could say that about the whole
team.”
Barrett?
“He could become a top player for Wrexham. He works hard in every single
training session - and he’ll get his reward for that.”
Connolly?
“He’s got this reputation for being quiet - but sometimes when
he’s working in the gym at Colliers Park you just can’t shut him up. He can be
really chirpy, but on the whole he does keep himself to himself.”
joey jones: top trivia
Favourite Premiership player? Roy Keane
Favourite food? Anything
Favourite Welsh player? John Mahoney
Favourite drink? Anything
Favourite holiday resort? Llandudno
Faulconbridge?
“He’s done well but I wish he was a bit more aggressive in certain
situations.”
And finally, give us your verdict on RP’s
star columnist, Mickey Thomas…
“He’s nuts - totally nuts! Eddie Niedzwiecki is a really good mate of
mine - and so’s Mickey. He’s done well with his new media career; his radio show
is brilliant. The thing about Mickey is that he’s so down to earth, so approachable.
I stood by him when he was in prison - he needed his friends then.”
Cheers Joey - thanks a lot! RP