HAYFIELD Junior Football Club has honoured the memory of former Liverpool and England player Bill Jones, who was born in Whaley Bridge but discovered by a Liverpool scout playing for Hayfield St Matthew’s in the 30s.

Bill Jones, Liverpool star, born in Whaley

Carl Dean, chairman of Hayfield Juniors, enlisted the help of the Whaley Bridge website – which reported Bill’s death aged 89 on Boxing Day – to track down relatives for permission to use Bill’s name on an annual trophy for the young players.

Well over 100 parents, family and young players crammed into Hayfield Primary School hall for presentation night.  First winner of the Bill Jones Memorial Shield for ‘skill and determination’ was Kane Marshall, 10, from New Mills..

Kane Marshall receives trophy from chairman

Carl Dean told how Bill Jones  went right to the top. At 17 he was spotted playing at Hayfield and recommended to Liverpool, signing as a professional in 1938.  After  the war his career took off. Bill played in defence for England and Liverpool, including an FA Cup final