Jimmy passed away in 2014, quietly. Without fanfare. But to those who know, he’s more than a stat — he’s proof of what footballers used to be made of. He was beaten, abandoned, written off — and still became one of the greatest goal scorers ever. 1928-2014.RIP, Jimmy Jones❤️🕊️

And yet despite all of this, Jimmy Jones has been forgotten in history, despite being such a huge influence and figure in both football, and politically, as a man who was the target of a brutal sectarian attack, aged 20. Jimmy Jones is nothing short of an absolute hero.

Here’s the real madness:.Before the injury: 62 goals.After the injury: ~586 goals .He didn’t just recover — he came back far better. A goal machine, but above all, the ultimate example of unbreakable spirit and sheer strength, and a real life hero.

He later played for Portadown and Newry Town too, as well as playing for Fulham, his only English club — finishing with a total of 648 goals in senior football. That puts him 8th on the all-time global list, ahead of legends like Eusebio, Neymar, Zico, and Maradona.

In his peak season for Glenavon, 1956-57, 28 year old Jimmy, at the peak of his powers, scored 74 goals in all competitions, so imagine how many goals he could have scored in his peak without his brutal leg break. A case of “what-if”, but yet he was still absolutely legendary.

He won 3 League titles, 2 Irish Cups, and 5 golden boots AFTER his leg break, Glenavon became the first club outside Belfast to win the Irish league, and Jimmy was the main reason why. He won a total of 9 trophies for Glenavon, and has a stand named after him at the stadium today

From 1950 onwards, Jimmy Jones scored 517 goals in 419 games for Glenavon, this is a goal ratio of 1.23 goals PER GAME. For some perspective, Messi at Barcelona had a goal ratio of 0.87, and Ronaldo at Real Madrid had a goal ratio of 1.03, an almost inhuman comeback.

After 18-20 months out injured, and multiple surgeries later, Jimmy Jones signed for Glenavon FC, who decided to take a chance on Jimmy Jones, and what happened afterwards, is nothing short of unbelievable.

Jimmy Jones was left to recover from his horrific injury with no club, no backing, and no security. Before the leg break, Jimmy had scored 62 goals in 94 apps, and was an Irish league winner and Irish cup winner. Many people wondered would he ever even play football again.

Jimmy was only 20 years old when he got his leg broken into 5 different pieces, and just like that, the most promising player in Irish football was ALMOST gone. Belfast Celtic withdrew from football after the attack, fearful for their players safety, and the club ceased to exist.

Celtic (a catholic club) were playing against Linfield (a protestant club) in Windsor Park, in a post-war, sectarian Belfast. After Jones scored a last minute winner, a violent mob of Linfield fans invaded the pitch, where Jimmy was brutally attacked, and his strong leg was broke

In 1948, an 18 year old Jimmy Jones was a teenage wonder kid, playing for Belfast Celtic, who were an All Ireland powerhouse of a team at the time. But on Boxing day 1948, Jones was centre-stage of one of the darkest days in Irish football history.

In his mid teens, after the move to Lurgan, Jimmy was able to play soccer seriously, and straight away, after signing for Glenavon reserves, his talent was obvious, he was miles ahead of everyone else. He scored 36 goals in 25 games, earning a move to Belfast Celtic.

Due to our town being a majority Catholic community, and Jimmy coming from a protestant background, his family moved to Lurgan when Jimmy was quite young. This move enabled him to play football (soccer) , as Keady, a catholic town, focused on Gaelic Football instead of soccer.

Jimmy Jones was born in Keady (my tiny hometown with a population of just over 3000) on the 25th of July, 1928. He started out playing football locally in Keady. Word spread quickly about his talents. Jimmy was described as having an incredible shot, and blistering pace.

AND he done all this after suffering a brutal, leg breaking attack, aged 20. Yet there’s no statue. No icons. No Netflix doc. Why?.This is the story of one of football’s greatest mysteries.

You’ve probably never ever heard of Jimmy Jones, despite the fact he has scored more goals than Neymar and Maradona COMBINED. Jimmy scored a 648 goals in senior football, putting him 8th on the all-time list, above literal legends.

THREAD 🧵 The Unbelievable Life of Jimmy Jones – Football’s Forgotten Icon

preparing my first ever thread on a player who is completely unknown , despite being nothing short of a hero.

man united came 15th and trophyless 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 yes , 15th!!!😂😂😂😂😂.