Mick Jones
The centre forward who scored 111 goals for Leeds United between 1967 and 1975.
Michael David Jones (born 24 April 1945) is an English former footballer who played as centre forward for Leeds United during the 1960s and 1970s. After scoring 63 goals in 149 appearances for Sheffield United, he joined Leeds in September 1967 for £100,000. At Leeds, he helped secure two League championships (1968–69 and 1973–74), two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, a League Cup, and the FA Cup in 1972. His career included notable moments like scoring once in the first leg of the 1967–68 Fairs Cup final against Ferencvaros and netting a hat-trick against Manchester United on 19 February 1972. Despite suffering a dislocated elbow during the first 1972 FA Cup final match, he did not play in the final league match of the 1971–72 season against Wolves due to his injury, though that match was not a title decider as the championship had already been secured.
- Position
- Centre Forward
- Era
- Late 1960s – Early 1970s
- Key Manager
- Don Revie
- Major Honours
- League Championship (1968–69, 1973–74), FA Cup (1971–72), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
- Playing Style
- Goal-scoring centre forward
- Legacy
- Core member of the title-winning sides and FA Cup winners; retired due to knee i
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Jones arrived at Elland Road in September 1967, bringing a prolific scoring record from Sheffield United where he had netted 63 times. His first season saw him miss the League Cup victory due to being cup-tied, but he made his mark in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, scoring once in the first leg of the 1968 final against Ferencvaros to help secure a 1–0 aggregate win. The following season, he scored 14 goals as Leeds won the League championship. In 1969, he formed a strike partnership with Allan Clarke. During the 1970–71 season, Leeds faced Juventus in the Fairs Cup final; Jones did not score in that final, with the goals coming from other players. His finest individual performance came on 19 February 1972 when he scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 league victory over Manchester United at Elland Road.
In Their Own Story
The 1972 FA Cup Final against Arsenal was a day of highs and lows for Jones. Leeds secured the trophy as he set up Allan Clarke for the solitary goal, but disaster struck in the final minute. Jones suffered a dislocated elbow after an accidental clash with Arsenal goalkeeper Geoff Barnett while landing awkwardly. Assisted by Norman Hunter to the Royal Box, he collected his winner's medal despite the injury. The pain prevented him from playing in the League title decider against Wolves just two days later, a match Leeds lost 2–1, costing them the championship by a single point to Derby County. Later that season, Jones endured constant pain and played reserve football by early 1975 as Joe Jordan took his number nine shirt. He watched from the sidelines as Leeds reached their first European Cup final in 1975, losing to Bayern Munich, before retiring at age 30.
Reader's Guide
Mick Jones operated strictly as a centre forward throughout his career, a role he filled for Sheffield United, Leeds United, and the England national team. He made his international debut on 12 May 1965 against West Germany, scoring no goals but earning two caps while still at Sheffield United before joining Leeds. His third and final cap came on 14 January 1970 in a 0–0 draw with the Netherlands. At club level, Jones was known for his clinical finishing, evidenced by his 111 goals from 312 appearances for Leeds. He contributed to major honours including the First Division titles of 1968–69 and 1973–74, and the FA Cup in 1971–72. His partnership with Allan Clarke was pivotal during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Despite his goal-scoring prowess, injuries plagued his later years; he spent the summer of 1974 on intensive physiotherapy for a knee problem that ultimately ended his career.
Did You Know?
- Jones scored his first two league goals for Sheffield United on his 18th birthday in a 3–1 win against Manchester City.
- He was cup-tied during Leeds' League Cup winning season, meaning he could not feature in the campaign despite joining the squad that year.
- In the 1972 FA Cup Final replay at Old Trafford, Leeds won 1–0 against Chelsea with the only goal scored by Allan Clarke, not Jones.
- Jones dislocated his elbow during the first 1972 FA Cup final match, not before the replay, and did not play in the final league match of the 1971–72 season against Wolves due to the injury; that match was not a title de
- Allan Clarke admitted that it was never the same for him as a striker after Jones retired due to knee problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mick Jones?
Michael David Jones was a prolific striker born in 1945 who became a key figure for Leeds United during the late 1960s and 1970s. He joined the club from Sheffield United in September 1967 after establishing himself as a top scorer in English football.
What was his playing role at Leeds?
Operating primarily as a centre forward, he was renowned for his clinical goal-scoring ability and physical presence up front. Under manager Don Revie, he formed a crucial part of the attacking lineup that dominated domestic and European competition.
What major trophies did Mick Jones win?
During his tenure at Elland Road, he secured two League championships and lifted the FA Cup in 1972 alongside two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. His contributions were vital to the team's success during Don Revie’s golden era.
What are some of his standout performances?
He scored a memorable hat-trick against Manchester United in February 1972 and netted twice in the 1970–71 Fairs Cup final victory over Ferencvaros. Over his eight seasons at Leeds, he managed to score 111 goals for the club.
How did Mick Jones's career end?
His time as a professional player concluded prematurely due to persistent knee injuries that forced him to retire in 1975. Despite this early exit from the pitch, he remains celebrated by fans as one of the club’s most important strikers.
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