A Chelsea fan has shared an incredible story of the kindness shown to him by Joey Jones - who was laid to rest in Wrexham last week
Ryan Reynolds wearing a jumper paying tribute to Wrexham legend Joey Jones
(Image: Getty Images)
A heart-warming tale has surfaced following the funeral of Welsh football icon Joey Jones, highlighting his remarkable kindness towards a young Chelsea fan. Greig Sarath brought along a 41-year-old shirt that once belonged to Jones to the memorial service in Wrexham last week.
Jones passed away last month at the age of 70, with Wrexham's co-owner and Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds paying tribute to the European Cup winner.
“I’m really glad I got to spend time with you,” wrote Reynolds on social media.
“Thanks for the stories. Condolences to his family, friends and Mickey (Thomas, Jones’ close friend and former Wrexham team-mate). Rest up, Joey. Big second half coming up.”
Reynolds also wore a jumper at Wrexham's first home match of the season against West Brom, with Jones' name on the back.
Now, a story has emerged about Jones' kindness to one young fan.
It serves as a testament to the incredible warmth and affection shown by Jones towards the fans of the clubs he represented. The shirt was donned on the day Chelsea secured the old Division Two title at Grimsby back in May 1984.
Greig shares the story of the yellow Chelsea shirt and why he felt compelled to undertake the 400-mile round trip to Wrexham to pay tribute to the legend who graced Wales, Wrexham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Huddersfield Town with his skills.
Greig recalled: "In October 1982 Chelsea was lacking spirit, passion and languishing in Division 2. I was a 14-year-old regular visitor to Stamford Bridge with my father Frank but endured relentless teasing at school in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, from mates who revelled in Chelsea's dismal plight and all seemed to be Liverpool or Man Utd supporters!" reports the Mirror.
"We signed former Liverpool full-back Joey Jones - a European Cup winner coming to Stamford Bridge. As Joey was also a current full Welsh International I decided to write to him at the club to ask which countries he had played against so I could add some of the programmes to my collection.
"Much to my surprise, I received a reply from Joey - a letter which I still have. At the first match of the following season, I brought the letter with me and managed to chat with Joey as he arrived in the car park, reminding him of the letter.
"He was delighted to meet me and my father, asking where we hailed from and how often we attended matches. My dad explained that we regularly travelled down from Cambridgeshire and made it to as many matches as possible. Joey offered to help us with tickets, as his complimentary ones often went unused since his family resided in Wales.
"We exchanged phone numbers and thus began our friendship. We attended all home matches that season, along with numerous away games, and true to his word, Joey would leave tickets for us.
"About halfway through the season, Joey informed me that he would gift me one of his No 3 shirts, likely the away shirt, as he intended to keep the home shirt for his own son.
"The final away match was at Grimsby, where Chelsea had the chance to secure the Second Division title. However, Joey was nursing an injury and also beginning a suspension. Dale Jasper was chosen to play in Joey's stead and would wear the number 3 shirt. My dad and I journeyed up to Grimsby by train, and I worried that with Joey not playing, I might miss out on a shirt.
"We got to the ground early and waited outside the players' entrance for Chelsea and Joey to arrive. On arrival he spotted me and Dad came over ruffled my hair as he always did and said "Don't worry I've told young Dale whatever happens at the final whistle - there was a pitch invasion - he needs to keep hold of the shirt as I have promised it to you, see me here after.
"A Kerry Dixon goal and 1-0 win assured Chelsea were the champions and at the final whistle fans streamed onto the pitch, my eyes were fixed on Dale Jasper hoping the shirt stayed on his back as players were mobbed and lifted on shoulders. After all the Chelsea players managed to get off the pitch we headed out of the ground and back round to the players' entrance.
"After about 15 minutes Joey put his head round the door, beckoned me over and said 'how good was that?' after telling him how pleased I was that we were going up as Champions he pulled out a rolled up No 3 shirt from his jacket and said: 'here you go Greig - as promised fresh off young Dale's back the away shirt I've worn most of this season'. I was over the moon.
"I have kept both the shirt and letter, the saddest thing being that Joey and Dale Jasper are both no longer with us."
Another Chelsea supporter who made the 400-mile round trip last week had an even more emotional and poignant story to tell.
Tim North shared: "My brother Nick passed away with a massive heart attack aged only 50 in October 2014. My dad had passed several years earlier so just left me and mum - which left the 'burden' on me with the aftermath both emotional and legal stuff.
"Later I attended a Chelsea legends night. Joey Jones was there and I mentioned situation with my brother and upcoming anniversary and how it was weighing heavy. He suggested we went into a corner and we had a 15-20-minute chat about life in general, no football.
"In the past he'd experienced heart problems and had had a near miss and an operation. So I think he related in some way to what I was feeling. So I perked up and humble that one of my Chelsea heroes had shown some genuine interest. Later on, I got tap on shoulder and it was Joey - he told old me he was leaving but if I ever wanted to chat then give him a call and gave me his mobile number.
"All very nice - but it's Joey Jones Chelsea legend. I appreciated the gesture but I'm never going to cold call him he was just being polite but it did really go down well with me.
"So that was that as far as I was concerned. What a top bloke for giving me 15 minutes of his valuable time.
"But a few weeks later I got a phone call. 'Hello it's Joey.' Who? Joey. Think you got wrong number mate. He replied 'It's Joey Jones we chatted the other week about your brother, just calling to see how you are?'".
"Safe to say I was gobsmacked and it was the first of numerous calls between us over the next few years. And that's why I attended Joey's celebration of life. Not because of Joey Jones the Chelsea Legend but for Joey Jones the man."