- Birthdate: 13 May 1921
- Birthplace: Whaley Bridge, England
- Date of death: 26 December 2010
- Other clubs: Hayfield St Matthews; York City, Leeds United, Reading (wartime guest), Ellesmere Port Town
- Signed from: Hayfield St Matthews
- Signed for LFC: 24.09.1938
- International debut: 14.05.1950 vs. Portugal
- International caps: 2/0 - 18.05.1950
- Liverpool debut: 31.08.1946
- Last appearance: 24.04.1954
- Debut goal: 07.09.1946
- Last goal: 16.09.1953
- Contract expiry: 25.05.1954
- Win ratio: 36.82% W:102 D:74 L:101
- Honours: League Championship 1946/47
- Wartime games/goals: 20 / 4
- League games / goals: 256 / 17
- Total games / goals: 277 / 17
Player Profile
Jones joined Liverpool as a teenager in 1938 but his career and life was soon put on hold as World War II immediately deprived him of several years of competitive football. By the time the Football League resumed 'normal service' on the last day of August 1946, Jones was 24 years old but he immediately made up for lost time by helping his club win the League title, playing in 26 of the 42 League matches and scoring twice. Although the club would never reach such heights again for nearly 20 years, Jones was a regular member of the side for the next seven seasons. He featured most often at centre-half but was an extremely versatile man who could play, and play well, in several different positions. Jones was capped by his country twice at centre-half. "Had Liverpool not rescued me from the obscurity of a minor Derbyshire club, I should probably have tried to earn a living at cricket or golf," Jones said in the souvenir brochure for the 1950 FA Cup final. "My leaning was towards the latter, and golf is still my main hobby. I plead guilty to being one of the most superstitious fellows in our side. I always avoid being third behind the skipper on leaving the dressing room. Why? I have not the faintest idea."
Jones played in Liverpool's first-ever Wembley cup final against Arsenal in 1950, but had to settle for a runners-up medal. But unfortunately the club never built on the little success it had enjoyed in the immediate post-war years and from 1950 onwards their final League placing got steadily worse until in 1953/54, which proved to be Jones' last season at Anfield, relegation which had been narrowly avoided the previous season became a reality. It was a sad end to a fine Anfield career. Jones was put up for sale and joined Ellesmere Port Town as player-coach. Bill is the grandfather of Liverpool's Rob Jones and followed his grandson's career closely: "We are very proud of his achievements and I have to admit he is a better player than I was. He is a lot faster for a start."
When former Liverpool captain and legend, Donald Mackinlay, was asked in 1955 about the best Liverpool players he had ever seen, he singled out Bill. "One of the finest centre-halves I have ever seen. I would have loved to have played behind him. What a tragedy it was he was moved about such a lot."
Jones died on Boxing Day 2010 at the Countess of Chester Hospital, aged 89.
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
16 |
1470 |
Burnley |
15 |
1350 |
Arsenal |
15 |
1350 |
Wolves |
14 |
1260 |
Manchester United |
14 |
1260 |
Chelsea |
13 |
1170 |
Blackpool |
13 |
1170 |
Charlton Athletic |
12 |
1080 |
Portsmouth |
12 |
1080 |
Sunderland |
12 |
1080 |
Bolton Wanderers |
11 |
990 |
Aston Villa |
11 |
990 |
Stoke City |
10 |
900 |
Manchester City |
10 |
900 |
Huddersfield Town |
10 |
900 |
Middlesbrough |
10 |
900 |
Derby |
10 |
900 |
Newcastle United |
10 |
900 |
Everton |
9 |
810 |
Preston North End |
7 |
630 |
Sheffield United |
6 |
540 |
Fulham |
5 |
450 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
5 |
450 |
Tottenham |
4 |
360 |
Grimsby Town |
4 |
360 |
Blackburn Rovers |
3 |
300 |
Nottingham Forest |
3 |
270 |
Cardiff City |
3 |
270 |
WBA |
3 |
270 |
Birmingham City |
2 |
180 |
Leeds United |
1 |
90 |
Norwich City |
1 |
90 |
Walsall |
1 |
90 |
Notts County |
1 |
90 |
Workington |
1 |
90 |
Gateshead |
Total |
Venue |
137 |
Home |
135 |
Away |
5 |
Neutral |
Goals per season
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season |
Appearances |
Goals |
1941-1942 |
5 |
1 |
1942-1943 |
5 |
0 |
1943-1944 |
2 |
0 |
1944-1945 |
1 |
0 |
1945-1946 |
7 |
3 |
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
31.08.1946 |
Sheffield United |
Bramall Lane |
League |
50 |
29.11.1947 |
Manchester City |
Maine Road |
League |
100 |
08.01.1949 |
Nottingham Forest |
City Ground |
FA Cup |
150 |
30.08.1950 |
Manchester United |
Old Trafford |
League |
200 |
27.10.1951 |
WBA |
Anfield |
League |
250 |
20.04.1953 |
Manchester United |
Old Trafford |
League |
Milestone Goals
# |
Minute |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
24 |
07.09.1946 |
Chelsea |
Anfield |
League |
Related Articles
Rob talks to LFChistory.net about the highs and lows of his remarkable playing career.
The Liverpool Football Echo on 24 December, 1949.
Related Quotes
"We are very proud of his achievements and I have to admit he is a better player than I was. He is a lot faster for a start."
Bill talking proudly of his grandson, Rob Jones.
"Had Liverpool not rescued me from the obscurity of a minor Derbyshire club, I should probably have tried to earn a living at cricket or golf. My leaning was towards the latter, and golf is still my main hobby. I plead guilty to being one of the most superstitious fellows in our side. I always avoid being third behind the skipper on leaving the dressing room. Why? I have not the faintest idea."
Bill Jones in 1950
"One of the finest centre-halves I have ever seen. I would have loved to have played behind him. What a tragedy it was he was moved about such a lot. Why Liverpool let him go this season I just don’t know."
Former Liverpool captain, Don MacKinlay, on Bill Jones in 1955
Scrapbook
The People report
Where are they now? - Liverpool club magazine