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At number 60 in our '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' countdown is ROb Jones, the popular full-back of the 1990's whose career was tragically cut short by injury.
Four years after our ground-breaking '100 Days That Shook The Kop', we are delighted to invite you to enjoy our new '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' series – the definitive countdown of the 100 players who have made the biggest impact at Liverpool.
Over 110,000 supporters have all nominated their own personal Top 10 players in order of impact made and now the definitive top 100 countdown is underway.
Every player who has made the top 100 – and there are some surprises in there - will be honoured on this website via the e-Season ticket console with a specially produced video clip, including archive footage and exclusive interviews.
Since 1892 hundreds of players have represented this club but everyone has their own particular favourites so don't expect this list to be based solely on talent. The greatness of a player can be measured in many ways – obviously, his ability on the pitch is the most important, but 100 PWSTK is much more than that. It's about the impact the individuals chosen have had on this club, be it for a variety of reasons. Maybe it was because of their unique rapport with the crowd, a specific incident that has never been forgotten or anything else that has left a lasting impression.
To watch the clip, click here>>
Name: Rob Jones
Years at Liverpool: 1991 to 1999
Position: Right back
Date of birth: 05/11/1971
Birthplace: Wrexham
Signed from: Crewe Alexandra (October 1991)
Games: 243
Goals: 0
Honours: FA Cup (1992), Coca Cola Cup (1995)
The Liverpool career of Rob Jones may have been tragically cut short but his contribution during the early to mid 1990's was such that he'll always be fondly recalled by those connected to the red half of Merseyside. Arguably the finest signing made during the turbulent Anfield managerial reign of Graeme Souness, Jones was plucked from Crewe Alexandra for a bargain £300,000 just weeks into the 1990/91 season. He was pitched immediately into first team, experiencing a baptism of fire when he lined up for Liverpool in the white-hot atmosphere of a clash against fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. His performance that day has never been forgotten and set the tone for the remainder of his time with the Reds. The virtual unknown Jones marked Ryan Giggs out of the game and was instrumental in Liverpool securing a creditable goalless draw. Giggs later described Jones as the most difficult opponent he'd faced and the Anfield new boy went on to finish a highly impressive first season by playing in the 1992 FA Cup victory over Sunderland at Wembley. International honours followed with England and over the next few years Jones established himself as the best right back in England with a series of energetic, powerful displays down the right, where he linked brilliantly with Steve McManaman. When new manager Roy Evans introduced the wing-back system Jones filled it perfectly and added another medal to his collection when he played in the 1995 Coca Cola League Cup win over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley. The following season Evans signed Jason McAteer from Bolton, a move that saw Jones switch to the left side. It was a role he disliked but, such was his professionalism, he got on with the job without making a fuss. Unfortunately, a cracked vertebrae in his spine restricted his appearances to just three in the 1996/97 season and signaled the beginning of the end for him in football. An injury plagued spell came to a head when he failed overcome a persistent knee problem in 1999. He was released by Liverpool and went on to play just one game on trial at West Ham before finally calling it a day. To lose a player of his calibre in this way was a devastating blow but the happy memories of his early years in the red shirt will never fade.
Sold to: Released (May 1999)
Claim to fame: Failing to score a goal for Liverpool in 243 first team games
Did you know? Rob's grandfather Bill played for Liverpool in the 1950 FA Cup Final
Where is he now? Runs a children's nursery in Warrington
Jamie Carragher on Rob Jones: "I played with Rob a few times and he was a bit unfortunate with injuries and his best form was probably before I got into the team when he was as good as probably as anything in Europe at the time. He was playing out of his skin and I think if he'd have stayed fit he probably would have gone on to win 70 or 80 caps for England instead of Gary Neville."
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