In the family's first interview since the tragic death of Michael Jones, sister Gemma Leary considers his legacy and the value of the support they have received from the city of Liverpool and beyond
A tribute to Michael Jones is displayed during an applause in his memory at the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on August 26, 2023. Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC
A tribute to Michael Jones is displayed during an applause in his memory at the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on August 26, 2023. Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC
“He was so excited. He was sending us pictures of what it was going to look like and of him inside. We were getting sent messages and photos of what looked like just rooms full of dust - but he thought it was great.”
Gemma Leary smiles as she reflects on the joy her brother felt as he worked on Everton’s new stadium. It was still a building site, but the hope and expectation it sparked around the club was growing, and, for Michael Jones, the pride of being part of it was immense.
This afternoon, history will be made in one of those dust-filled rooms Michael was so pleased to work in as the first Everton team to play in a competitive game at the club’s new stadium prepares for the match in the home dressing room. Club captain Seamus Coleman, England number one Jordan Pickford and superstar new signing Jack Grealish will be among the heroes who will step out in Royal Blue for what will be a fresh dawn for the club and a landmark day for the city of Liverpool.
Just over 50,000 supporters will walk through the grand old dock walls and into a new era as Everton face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League. In the 26th minute they will burst into applause in memory of Michael, who tragically died while working on the project just over two years ago.
“He just wanted to go work down there,” Gemma recalled. “That was his thing - nothing was going to change his mind. He had only been there five weeks before the accident, but they were a happy five weeks.”
A lifelong Blue, ventilation engineer Michael made it his mission to work on the project those in and around the club hope will change its fortunes after years of struggle. He may not be able to take up the season ticket seat he no doubt would have had in the state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium, but there will be no denying his presence on the day.
Michael Jones
Michael Jones
While his life will be remembered across all four stands during the first half, the stadium complex features a permanent tribute to his legacy.
Work colleagues at Laing O’Rourke were asked for ideas for how his contribution could be marked, and the winning suggestion was a mooring post his family helped to paint before its unveiling on the first anniversary of his death.
Earlier this month, in the days after a final test event saw the first capacity crowd fill the ground for Everton’s friendly with Roma, they were allowed on site for a quiet moment to reflect on Michael’s life. The family was also present for the Roma match and will be against Brighton.
Michael Jones tribute
Michael Jones tribute
It was a much earlier test event, when just 10,000 lucky supporters filled the South Stand for an Under-18s game on a chilly night in February, that the significance of the tribute hit home for Gemma - that, and the extent to which Michael’s legacy resonates with his fellow fans.
Speaking to the ECHO, in the first family interview following her brother’s death, she said: “The post is lovely. I mean, the number of people who go over to it just to tap it is so nice. And then on the first test event, a little boy went over and kissed it. I just thought it was absolutely lovely.”
Gemma will be among those in attendance this afternoon and she can picture the excitement Michael would have felt, joking: “He would be telling everyone: ‘I built this.’”
It would have been a special moment for a popular uncle who was loved by his family and friends. The youngest of four children, Michael grew up with three sisters and, according to Gemma, knew how to take advantage of the adoration they felt for him as they grew up in Kirkby.
Michael Jones with David Moyes during his first stint as Everton manager.
Michael Jones with David Moyes during his first stint as Everton manager.
Laughing as she described a ‘mummy’s boy’ with a dry sense of humour, she said: “He was spoiled by everyone because he was the youngest boy after three girls - he thought he could wrap us all around his finger. He loved the kids - he’s got seven nephews and one niece. My eldest was only five when Michael was born, so they were close. My mum and dad idolised him; he couldn't have asked for better parents. He was spoiled by them, but he idolised them too.”
He had a strong friendship group as well - one that has endured since his passing, aged 26. After the family paid tribute at the ground on the second anniversary, they went for a drink in the nearby Blue House, one of several venues that has sprung into action in time for the grand opening of the stadium. Then dozens of friends gathered at the family home to celebrate Michael’s life.
Liverpool fan holding an Everton scarf paying tribute to Michael Jones
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Gemma said the family had been struck by the support they had received following the tragedy, not just from friends but from across the city and beyond.
She said: “Because it was so sudden, I think the shock played a massive factor in making it so tough. It feels like I remember it like it was yesterday. But it also feels like forever since we've seen him. It's really hard. I don't think it'll ever get easier; I think you just learn to deal with it better, but it doesn't get easier.
“What we do have is such a lovely group of friends through the football. And everyone's been amazing, even strangers. It's been so lovely, the overwhelming support - from Liverpool fans too. They say football doesn't matter when things like that happen in this city. I agree with that because it's been absolutely lovely. Everyone's been superb, the whole city and beyond. It's been overwhelming but in a nice way.
“I don't think people realise how much it helps as well. I think we're really lucky in the sense that we have such a lovely group of friends, and football fans themselves have been generous with their support, their time, everything. So I just think it's lovely, and it helps so much, especially with mum and dad. They didn't really venture out for a while after, so they were getting a lot of comfort from posts and messages on social media, so it was really nice.”
Everton supporter organisation the 1878s have been pivotal to efforts to capture Michael’s legacy and will fly a banner in tribute to him on Sunday. Gemma said Everton and Laing O’Rourke have both been incredibly supportive.
Asked how she is preparing for what will be an emotional afternoon, she said: “We did it at Goodison [an applause in tribute to Michael] and that was only a week after he passed away, so it was very overwhelming, very overwhelming. But, and I want to speak for myself, not my family, I feel it is a lovely gesture by a lot of people who've brought us so much comfort in a horrible time.”
Dealing with their grief will continue to be difficult far beyond the emotion of this afternoon, but Everton’s new home will always be a focal point for the family. Gemma said: “Michael would be made up. He was so excited to work on this. It was obviously his aim for it to be completed. It is bittersweet, but I know he would be absolutely delighted with it because it is spectacular.”