ROB JONES

1991 / 92

BORN: Wrexham 5.11.71.

TRANSFER FEE: 300,000 (From Crewe Alexandra, October 1991).

POSITION : Defender Right

GAMES: 155

GOALS: 0

HONOURS: FA Cup 91/2; League Cup 94/5; England Under-21, 8 Full caps.

OTHER CLUBS: Crewe Alexandra

INFO :

Rob is the grandson of former Liverpool player Bill Jones, who made over 250 appearances for the club in the 1940s and 50s, and he was one of the more successful signings made by Graeme Souness during his period as Liverpool manager. He was bought in September 1991 after making 75 League a ppearances for Crewe. The following Saturday made his debut in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Within four months he had also made his debut for England. Jones had quickly and confidently established himself in the Liverpool team, playing with an assurance which belied his lack of experience at the top level. In May 1992 he was part of the Liverpool team which won the 1992 FA Cup final with a 2-0 win over Sunderland. Under Souness, Jones became one of the few players who was almost gu aranteed his place at right back, although he had a spell out of the side with a shin splints injury.

At the beginning of the 1994/95 season, new manager Roy Evans changed Liverpool's formation to 3-5-2, with the full backs pushing forward to become attack ing wingbacks. Jones made the transition comfortably, although he looked less assured in attacking positions than he did when defending. Jones had never scored when playing as a conventional full back, and although chances fell his way, he has still faile d to score a goal despite playing in a more forward position, although he has hit the woodwork on several occasions.

Jones made his second successful appearance in a Wembley final in April 1995 when Liverpool beat Bolton Wanderers in the Coca Cola Cup, but his third visit in the 1996 FA Cup Final against Manchester United ended in disapointment. Jones played this game on the left after further proving his versatility by moving to left wingback earlier in the season after McAteer had claimed the righthand p osition. After the 1996 final it was announced that Jones was to get treatment after playing most of the season in pain with a back problem which had been nagging him for months. It was later revealed that he had a fracture in a vertebra which would requir e a long lay-off.

PICTURE :

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