Leicester City In 100 Players: Dai Jones

He was an outstanding defender who was hard tackling, hardworking and versatile. 

Born in Cardiff in 1910, Dai played for the Cardiff club Ely United before moving to Ebbw Vale as an 18 year-old. After trials with Charlton Athletic, he spent a season at Millwall and two years at Clapton Orient before being signed, for the bargain fee of £250, by First Division Leicester City in May 1933. 

He went straight into the first team in August 1933. This was the start of the 11th longest first-team career in City’s history. It lasted for 14 years, until May 1947. 

In November 1933, Dai became only the third player in the Club’s history to be selected for Wales, when he played in a 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland and a 2-1 victory over England. He went on to win seven caps for his country. 

Following his performance against England in February 1936, Dai was described in the press as ‘the game’s outstanding performer. He was clean kicking and made well-judged interceptions and timely tackles.’ 

A month later, following a game against Northern Ireland, Dai was described as ‘the outstanding defender on the field, rarely placing a foot wrong and positioning with great skill.’ 

His form for Leicester City also drew high praise. The press at the time judged him to be Leicester City’s best-ever bargain signing. He was rewarded with a Benefit Match, a league game against Blackpool, in April 1939. 

He was also praised for his consistency and for his loyalty to the Club. In 1935, he withdrew from a Wales international to play a vital match against Tottenham Hotspur. He was seen as a ‘first-class team-mate and marvellous Club servant who enjoyed every match.’

He was known as ‘The Smiling Footballer who laughs his way through the whole 90 minutes.’ 

Dai played 54 wartime games for Leicester, mainly in the first and last seasons of the conflict. When peacetime football resumed in the 1946/47 season, he played a further 31 games, before moving to Mansfield Town in October 1947 and to Hinckley Athletic as player-manager in July 1949. 

He then became a partner in a firm of leather factors in Leicester. Dai died aged 60 in Oadby in May 1971.