Mick Jones - Fans memories of a brave Leeds United centre forward

Don Revie called him the bravest and most dedicated of professionals.
Mick Jones in action for Leeds United. PIC: Varley Picture AgencyMick Jones in action for Leeds United. PIC: Varley Picture Agency
Mick Jones in action for Leeds United. PIC: Varley Picture Agency

Mick Jones was an unsung hero of the Leeds United team: a centre forward whose contribution to the club's success cannot be measured in goals alone, but also in his selfless running to make opportunities for others.

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He formed a formidable strike partnership with Allan Clarke with the pair famously combining for 'Clarke 1-0' as Leeds United won the FA Cup in 1972. Jones suffered a dislocated elbow in the last minute of the game and was helped up to the Royal Box to collect his medal by Norman Hunter.

Mick Jones scores from an overhead kick against Liverpool. PIC: Varley Picture AgencyMick Jones scores from an overhead kick against Liverpool. PIC: Varley Picture Agency
Mick Jones scores from an overhead kick against Liverpool. PIC: Varley Picture Agency
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During his seven year stint Jones scored league 77 goals for Leeds including a memorable overhead kick against Liverpool and a 15 minute hat-trick against Manchester United.

His souvenirs from his Leeds days included medals from winning the Football League First Division, twice; the FA Cup; Football League Cup; FA Charity Shield; and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, twice.

Your YEP has asked the Elland Road faithful to share memories of the striker who was capped three times by England.

Here are some of their responses:

Peter Collins - "Mick Jones formed a telepathic relationship with Allan Clarke on the pitch, creating the most potent strike force in the game. Mick was a mobile, agile player who scored many goals‎ and all sorts of goals, including a memorable overhead-kick winner against our biggest rivals, Liverpool. He also got the winner in the Fairs Cup final against the mighty Hungarian side, Ferencvaros. Mick played a crucial role in our success."

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Neil Barclay - "He was a great footballer, he was a workhorse. He would run through a brick wall. Legend."

Craig Teasdale - "Great striker in his own right. Class in a pair."

Andrew Hutcheson - "Great striker. Brilliant work rate."

Ian Bowman - "He was a work horse for Sniffer, did all the hard yards for him, but knew where the goal was himself."

Mark Blythe - "Great memories of him as a footballer and going up for his FA Cup medal with his shoulder strapped up. Even bigger memories of meeting him loads of times after his retirement, when he opened a sports shop in our village."

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Keith Johnson - "Brilliant team man, get the ball up to Mick and he would wrap he’s body round it until somebody else appeared. A work horse with a brain."

Vijay Govender - "That 72 final. His brilliant cross for Sniffer and his arm in a sling as we went to get his medal."

Tommy Marklund - "His goal vs Liverpool 1972 was awesome. Although we lost 1-2, I will always remember it."

Steve Saville - "The perfect foil for Allan Clarke."

Ken Richardson - "A great servant to Leeds and very underrated."

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John Holmes - "What a player. Great combination with Allan Clarke. If we had them in this team. we would have already be in the Premier League. They were that good."

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