The Jones Boys

This is the TRUE history of five brothers and their sons from Penyard, Merthyr Tydfil who played professional football from 1918 to 1970. One family who sent player after player to grace the teams of the football league for over 50 years.
Also have a look at the story of 'The Two Welsh Caps'

Will John (Shoni) Jones: The eldest of 5 brothers. No more than an average player, but this was the begining and no one was to know that his brothers would go on to achieve greater things at football. Shoni turned out for Aberdare and Ton Pentre when these teams were part of the football league. He is pictured here with Ton Pentre from the 1921/22 season when they were beaten in the Welsh cup final by Cardiff.
Ivor Jones: Ivor began to show the same skills as his elder brother Shoni. He was signed to Merthyr Tydfil FC and it wasn't long before he was on his way to Swansea Town. From there his talents were spotted by West Bromwich Albion where he transferred in 1921. He was the first of the family to gain international recognition, being selected to play for Wales 10 times during his career.
Emlyn Jones: Signed for Merthyr Town in 1933. After six weeks he was transferred to Everton, playing alongside the likes of Dixie Dean. Moved on to Southend, playing over 500 games and becoming a firm favourite with the fans. Finished his career at Barrow after which he continued playing amateur football with Shirley Town in Birmingham.
Brynmor Jones: Bryn started his career at Merthyr Town but soon moved over to Ireland playing with Glenavon. On his return to Wales, he played for Aberaman where he was quickly signed up by Wolverhampton Wanderers. A real favourite with the Molineaux crowd who nearly rioted when he was transfered for a record £14,000 in August 1939 to Arsenal. It was front page news, knocking talk of the impending world war that was facing the UK.
Bryn was selected to play for Wales no less than 17 times. He was in the side at Cardiff that beat England 4-2 in the 1930's. He scored that day, along with another Merthyr lad, Dai Astley.
Bertrand Jones: Aston Villa were after the talented Bert. However, with the outbreak of World War 2, Bert was sent to Burma with the South Wales Borderers. Unfortunately, he never returned, being killed in action against the Japanese.
Ken Jones: Ken is the son of Emlyn. He played professional at Swansea, Southend and Gravesend, but injury put him out of the game. He wasn't finished with the game though, and became a sports journalist with the Daily Mirror. Following on from there he became sports writer at the Sunday Mirror and then the Independent, where he still writes a column.
Has written many books on sport including boxing and of course football.
Cliff Jones: Perhaps the most famous of the Joneses. Signed to Swansea Town in the early 1950's, Cliff was a wizard of the wing. In 1958 he was transfered to Tottenham Hotspur for another record fee, this time £35,000. He became a regular member of the Spurs first team, partnering Jimmy Greaves. The 60's were known as the glory glory days at Tottenham, where the side were unbeatable. Was part of the double winning team of 1961 and 1962, and in the side that won the first European cup winners cup in England. Cliff was capped 58 times for Wales and collected three F.A. cup winners medals and the European cup winners medal. In 1970, after over 10 years at Spurs, he signed for Fulham where he retired from the game. He went on to teaching P.E.
Brin Jones: Shown on the right of the photograph, feeling the lapel of team mate Sammy Chung. This was when he was captain of Watford. He was another son of Ivor. He started his career as a forward but settled down to become a resolute defender. After playing at Swansea then Bournmouth he went on to captain Watford where he finished his playing career. Bill McGarry, the manager at Bournmouth says, "No player ever gave more for me, and he's still the best full back I ever managed."
Ivor Jones: The youngest son of Shoni. Seen here 2nd from the right back row with the England Schoolboy team at Ninian Park Cardiff in 1939. Was considered to be a full international of the future but declined to take up the sport as a professional.
Index
On the lighter side of life there is the story of the footballers and the greyhound.
  It concerns Bryn Jones, the dazzling Welshman who played for Wolves and Arsenal, and his brother Emlyn, who delighted the crowds at Everton and Barrow.
  The two brothers decided that it would help to pass a close-season if they bought a racing greyhound in their South Wales home-town.
  Some time later the sight of the two celebrated footballers walking along the streets with a well-bred greyhound trotting contentedly between them caused tremendous excitement.
  Windows were flung up and doors were opened as the footballers passed. They left a trail of speculation behind them.
  In a few days the "Jones greyhound" was the talk of the district. Everybody was convinced that it must be something out of the ordinary because Bryn and Emlyn were its owners.
  Came the day of its first race. Everyone backed it. The dog was last.
  Local people were disappointed. But they soon cheered up. Perhaps the dog wasn't quite fit. Anyway it belonged to Bryn and Emlyn. So they put down their money again when the dog ran its second race. Again the price was short. Again it was last.
  And, blissfully unaware of the disappointment it was causing, the greyhound spent its days romping in the hills and fields. Then came disaster. The greyhound trotted into Bryn's home contentedly licking its lips.
  It was reported that it had killed three sheep... and there was a bill for damages. So, even now, never mention dog-racing to Bryn and Emlyn Jones!