MICKEY THOMAS is part of the Reds’ tour entourage and he knows more than most just how much Joey Jones would have loved Wrexham taking on Liverpool in New York.
Speaking from his New York hotel near Central Park, Wrexham legend Thomas, now an ambassador at the club, is enjoying every minute of the Reds’ pre-season tour in the United States.
“It’s madness out here, but it’s amazing to see the support the club have. It’s an honour to be part of it,” said Thomas, who celebrated his 72nd birthday earlier this month.
Wrexham beat Leeds United 3-2 last Saturday and now take on Liverpool in the early hours tomorrow.
That game brings back memories of Thomas’ great friend and Wrexham team-mate, Joey Jones, who passed away 12 months ago.
“I think about him every day and Wrexham against Liverpool - the two teams he loved - obviously brings back memories of Joey,” added Thomas.
“He was a winner and had great times at Liverpool where he became the first Welshman to win the European Cup.
“I miss him. We used to speak every day and I know he would have loved that Wrexham are playing Liverpool in New York.”
It’s the 16th time Wrexham have played Liverpool in a friendly match - and two of them were testimonials for a pair of club legends - Arfon Griffiths in 1971 and Jones’ big game in 1993,
The last time the two clubs met in a competitive match was a League Cup quarter-final in 1978 where Kenny Dalglish enjoyed himself on a mud-splattered Racecourse pitch where he grabbed a match-winning hat-trick.
Thomas was in the Wrexham line-up that night and was adamant there was no fear in the Reds camp in a season where they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup as well as lifting the Division Three title.
“That season we honestly thought we could beat anyone,” said Thomas, denied a goal as the late John Lyons nipped in to beat him to the ball after Ray Clemence could only parry Bobby Shinton’s curling, swerving effort.
“They had all the big guns on show that night.
“The pitch was a real leveller but we gave them a real battle. Kenny Dalglish proved the difference between the two sides with a hat-trick.
“Bill Shankly had been a regular watching our games after he’d left Liverpool.”