A gentleman of the football world has sadly passed away today as Mick Jones, a former Notts County player and coach dies aged 75 with a bulk of tributes from those that knew and worked with the Sunderland born former defender already touching from afar and wide.
Jones started his career at Brian Clough’s Derby County before joining Notts County in 1969 going on to make 100 league appearances for the club before joining Peterborough United in 1973.
After player manager spells at Ottawa Tigers in Canada and non-league side Kettering Town, Jones took charge of Mansfield Town from 1979-81, enduring relegation to Division Four of the football league, before joining his ex-Derby County team-mate Roy McFarland as assistant manager at Bradford City.
It was with Notts County though, as assistant, to Neil Warnock, between 1989 and 93 where Jones would enjoy a fruitful partnership with one of the most charismatic managers in the game. Helping Notts into the top tier of English football before relegation, and eventually joining Warnock in his next venture at Huddersfield Town.
Following further spells alongside Warnock at Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United, Jones returned to helping Notts County as assistant in 2013 before hanging up his coaching boots, the man he worked with, fondly, who knew him better than anyone, stating “We had some unbelievable times. Mick was the sensible one. I’ll miss him loads. Boy did we have some laughs. RIP.”
A Notts County team-mate of Jones, the legendary striker Les Bradd who still works for the club today, stated “We loved him as a team-mate and he was brilliant off the pitch, too.”
Whilst former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane said he was “sad to hear about the passing of Mick Jones” calling him a “great guy”.
Finally Paul Mace, a former director of Notts County, a lifelong fan who now runs the Magpie Circle Podcast, touchingly commented on Twitter “Mick Jones was a true ‘football man’, a great friend to me over 38 years and a huge part of Notts County Football Club’s history over five decades with four promotions as a player and assistant manager. A true fighter all his life … he will be sadly missed at Meadow Lane. RIP Mick.
Notts County Football Club have stated that Neil Warnock will be at Meadow Lane as their special hospitality guest for the visit of Chesterfield on Saturday 20th August, when a minute’s applause will be held in tribute to Mick.
*Main image @Official_NCFC Mick Jones (left) with Neil Warnock ahead of the 1991 playoff final.
