Jack Jones (footballer, born 1924) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jack Jones |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | John Raymond Jones | ||
| Date of birth | 7 November 1924 | ||
| Place of birth | Ascot Vale | ||
| Date of death | 24 March 2020 (aged 95) | ||
| Original team | Ascot Vale CYMS | ||
| Debut | Rd. 1 1946, Essendon v. Footscray, at Western Oval |
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| Career highlights | |||
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John Raymond Jones (born November 7, 1924 – died March 24, 2020) was a famous Australian rules footballer. He played for the Essendon Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Contents
Early Life and First Game
Jack Jones was born in Ascot Vale, a suburb near Melbourne, Australia. He was one of six children. When he was eight years old, he saw his first football game. This was in 1933 at Windy Hill, which was the home ground for the Essendon team. It was also the day that a famous player named Dick Reynolds played his first game.
Serving His Country
Jack Jones joined the army on December 15, 1942. He served in the 24th Infantry Battalion during World War II. He fought in places like New Guinea and Bougainville. After his service, he returned home and was discharged from the army on March 14, 1946.
Football Career Highlights
After returning from the war, Jack Jones joined the Essendon Football Club. He quickly became a regular player. He started his career in 1946, wearing the number 24 jersey. He played 175 games and kicked 156 goals for Essendon.
Jack was known for his speed and high-marking skills. He was also a good long kick. People thought he was one of the fastest big players in the game. He could play well in different positions, including on the half-forward flank and helping with the ruck work.
Between 1946 and 1952, Jack played in 133 games in a row. No other Essendon player has ever done better than this! He only missed senior games if he was injured.
He played during a very successful time for the club. He played alongside other legends like Dick Reynolds, John Coleman, and Bill Hutchison.
Jack was part of three premiership-winning teams:
- He was a reserve player in the 1946 premiership team.
- He played a starring role in the 1949 premiership team.
- He was also in the 1950 premiership team.
Overall, he played in 18 finals games and seven Grand Finals. In 1951, he was the vice-captain for the State team. He also won Essendon's "best utility player" award four times (1946, 1947, 1949, 1954). In 1953, he won the "best clubman" award.
Life After Playing Football
After leaving Essendon, Jack Jones became a captain and coach for the Albury Football Club. This was from 1955 to 1959 in the Ovens and Murray Football League. He led Albury to win the premiership in 1956. He then coached the Kergunyah Football Club in 1960. Later, he worked as an umpire for two years in the Albury & District League.
Jack always stayed connected with the Essendon Football Club. He gave tours at Windy Hill. He also spoke to players and helped inspire them.
In 2010, Essendon started the Jack Jones Academy. This is a special program to help new players develop their skills.
His Passing
In February 2020, Jack Jones was diagnosed with cancer. He was told he might only have a few months to live. He bravely said, "I'm quite ready, 95 is not a bad age to live."
Jack Jones passed away on March 24, 2020, at the age of 95. His granddaughter, a football commentator named Sarah Jones, noticed something interesting. The date of his death, March 24, was the same as his old jumper number (24) and the number of the army battalion he served in during World War II.
