Herbert Jones (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Herbert "Taffy" Jones was an English
professional footballer. He played as a defender
.
before World War I
. He lied to enlist, signing up illegally aged 15. During the war, he was stationed in France
. He took part in the famous events of Christmas 1915. He became a pacifist and remained so for the rest of his life.
In the summer of 1915 or 1916 he was hit by shrapnel when a shell
exploded nearby. As a result of this injury he was honourably discharged
.
, making his debut on 16 December 1922, in a goalless draw against Hull City
at Bloomfield Road
. He went on to make a further fifteen league appearances during the 1922–23
campaign, in what was Bill Norman
's final season in charge of the Seasiders.
Under new manager Major Frank Buckley in 1923–24
, Jones made 28 league appearances. He also featured in Blackpool's two FA Cup
ties that season.
The following season, 1924–25
, Jones appeared in 34 of the club's 42 league dates. He again appeared during the club's FA Cup run, this time helping them to the fourth round. They were knocked out by Blackburn Rovers
at Ewood Park
by a single goal in front of a crowd of 60,000.
Blackburn approached Blackpool the following season, 1925–26
, with a view to signing the defender. Blackpool accepted the £6,000 offer, and in mid-January he moved east across Lancashire
. His final appearance for Blackpool occurred on 12 December 1925, in a goalless draw at Wolves
.
with the club in 1928 (see 1928 FA Cup Final
). After their relegation to Division Two in 1935–36, Rovers returned to the top flight in 1938–39.
for a season, making 37 league appearances.
with Fleetwood Town
.
for England
. He made his debut for his country against Scotland
on 2 April 1927.
His final cap was also gained against the Scots, on 31 March 1928.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer. He played as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Early life
Jones trained as a plumberPlumber
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems. The term dates from ancient times, and is related to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." A person engaged in fixing metaphorical "leaks" may also be...
before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He lied to enlist, signing up illegally aged 15. During the war, he was stationed in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He took part in the famous events of Christmas 1915. He became a pacifist and remained so for the rest of his life.
In the summer of 1915 or 1916 he was hit by shrapnel when a shell
Shell (projectile)
A shell is a payload-carrying projectile, which, as opposed to shot, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage sometimes includes large solid projectiles properly termed shot . Solid shot may contain a pyrotechnic compound if a tracer or spotting charge is used...
exploded nearby. As a result of this injury he was honourably discharged
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...
.
Blackpool
Jones began his football career, whilst still a part-time plumber, with his hometown club, BlackpoolBlackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, making his debut on 16 December 1922, in a goalless draw against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
. He went on to make a further fifteen league appearances during the 1922–23
Blackpool F.C. season 1922-23
The 1922-23 season was Blackpool F.C.s 22nd season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing fifth....
campaign, in what was Bill Norman
Bill Norman (football manager)
William "Bill" Norman was an English football manager.Between 1918 and 1923, he was in charge of Blackpool, who became one of a growing number of clubs to appoint a full-time manager. Before that point, the team selection had been the responsibility of a committee comprising directors, the captain,...
's final season in charge of the Seasiders.
Under new manager Major Frank Buckley in 1923–24
Blackpool F.C. season 1923-24
The 1923-24 season was Blackpool F.C.s 23rd season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing fourth....
, Jones made 28 league appearances. He also featured in Blackpool's two FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
ties that season.
The following season, 1924–25
Blackpool F.C. season 1924-25
The 1924-25 season was Blackpool F.C.s 24th season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing seventeenth....
, Jones appeared in 34 of the club's 42 league dates. He again appeared during the club's FA Cup run, this time helping them to the fourth round. They were knocked out by Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
by a single goal in front of a crowd of 60,000.
Blackburn approached Blackpool the following season, 1925–26
Blackpool F.C. season 1925-26
The 1925-26 season was Blackpool F.C.s 25th season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing sixth....
, with a view to signing the defender. Blackpool accepted the £6,000 offer, and in mid-January he moved east across Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. His final appearance for Blackpool occurred on 12 December 1925, in a goalless draw at Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
.
Blackburn
Jones went on to play 247 league games for Rovers spanning from 1925 to 1934. He won the FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
with the club in 1928 (see 1928 FA Cup Final
1928 FA Cup Final
The 1928 FA Cup Final was contested by Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium. Blackburn won 3–1, with goals from Jack Roscamp and Tommy McLean...
). After their relegation to Division Two in 1935–36, Rovers returned to the top flight in 1938–39.
Brighton
Jones then joined BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
for a season, making 37 league appearances.
Fleetwood Town
He finished his career back on the FyldeThe Fylde
The Fylde ; Scandinavian: "field") is a coastal plain in western Lancashire, England. It is roughly a 13-mile square-shaped peninsula, bounded by Morecambe Bay to the north, the Ribble estuary to the south, the Irish Sea to the west, and the Bowland hills to the east...
with Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
.
International career
While at Blackburn, Jones received six capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. He made his debut for his country against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on 2 April 1927.
His final cap was also gained against the Scots, on 31 March 1928.
External links
- Herbert Jones's profile at The FA.com
- A picture of Jones (sixth from right) in line with his Blackburn Rovers teammates at the 1928 FA Cup Final, meeting King George VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
