Tommy 'T. G.' Jones, 1917 - 2004.
Founder of Connah's Quay Juniors, later (in 1952) to become Connah's Quay Nomads.
R.I.P.

It is with deep regret that Ar Y Blaen reports the death of a true local hero, Tommy 'TG' Jones, native of Connah's Quay, Welsh international and founder of the Nomads who passed away on Saturday 3 January 2004. This brief obituary is reproduced with thanks from the Everton website www.evertonfc.com

By: Martin O'Boyle

Thomas George Jones, 'The Prince of Centre Halves' and Everton's Millennium Giant of the 1940s, has died at the age of 86. Renowned for his calmness under pressure, 'T.G.' as the Everton faithful knew him, was surely one of Everton and Wales' finest-ever players. He was born in Connah's Quay in 1917, Everton decided to pay £3,000 for his signature after just six League games for Wrexham.

In only his second full season with the club, he had won a League Championship medal before the War wiped out five seasons of his career. However, when play resumed in 1946, he had little difficulty in recapturing his form. In 1947, Italian giants Roma made a £15,000 bid to secure his signature, which the club reluctantly accepted; however, the move fell through due to foreign exchange issues. Jones continued to exhibit his individual brand of calm assurance at the heart of Everton's defence, and he was appointed club captain in 1949 in succession to Peter Farrell. Both opponents and supporters alike were convinced the honour was long overdue. In his Goodison career he made 178 appearances, scoring five goals.

Dave Hickson, who played alongside T.G. Jones in the 40s, paid the following tribute:

"It's very sad to hear about the passing away of T.G. a couple of hours ago; he was a great centre-half, he had a great understanding with Ted Sagar, the goalkeeper, and it's a very sad loss indeed."

"I came here when I was a schoolboy in 1945 and T.G. and Joe Mercer had just finished training. They gave me every encouragement to play for Everton. They were great Everton players through and through and I will never forget them."

From www.bbc.co.uk/

Former Wales and Everton centre back Thomas George "T.G." Jones has died at the age of 86 after a short illness. Jones' greatest achievement as a player was winning the Football League championship with Everton in 1939. Known as TG throughout the game, he won 17 caps for Wales and also played for Wrexham and Swansea City. Jones also gained hero status as manager of Bangor City when his side held Napoli over two legs in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1962. Bangor went out after losing a play-off at Arsenal's Highbury ground.

Jones was recently named Everton's Millennium Giant of the 1940s, and was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Football Association of Wales. He is survived by two daughters, Jane and Elizabeth.

Tommy is remembered at Nomads as the founder of the present club (as Connah's Quay Juniors) in 1946.