South Yorkshire Times February 15th, 1958

A Great Sorrow
Grief at Loss of Mark Jones
Wombwell Feels Tragic Impact of Munich Disaster

The shadow of a great calamity has fallen on Wombwell. Like all sporting communities, it was shocked by the Munich air disaster involving Manchester United footballers and sporting journalists of national renown — it felt the sharp edge of acute personal sorrow when it was known that Wombwell’s own Mark Jones, Manchester United’s 24 years old centre-half, was among the victims, Apparently he was killed outright.

Not since that great sporting light of other days—Yorkshire and England cricketer Roy Kilner—was extinguished in the full bloom of young manhood 30 years ago, has the town experienced a grief so sharp and so numbing in its effect on all sections of the community.

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Idol of Fans

A son of Mr. Amos Jones, of 14. Bird Avenue, Wombwell, Mark was truly a son of Wombwell and in his all too short career brought nothing but credit and distinction to the town. Former schoolboy international and idol of all Wombwell football fans, he was liked and respected in all walks of life. Mark’s chief characteristic was his ‘ modesty.

With its backcloth of pit chimneys and rugged spoilheaps, Wombwell is not unduly sentimental and does not carry its heart on its sleeve. Nevertheless, its feelings have been fully in line with national sentiment and in no place was the impact of the disaster more keenly felt.

Drawn Curtains

There is not a house on the Copeland Road estate without drawn curtains, and as neighbours pass the Jones’ home they walk with bowed heads in tribute. In shops, public houses and clubs, main topic of conversation has been the Munich disaster, and the tragic loss to Wombwell in the ‘ death of Mark Jones.

Of the “Busby Babes” whose brilliant careers were ended so abruptly while in full bloom. Mark Jones was not the least promising. He had gained many achievements in the world of football, and what endeared him to the public was that his success never spoilt him.

He was still the same gentlemanly, unassuming lad who went to Manchester United with his bundle on his shoulder on leaving Darfield County Secondary School nine years ago.

Mark was the exception as far as Matt Busby’s boys were concerned in that for him there was no rapid promotion to the glamour of League football. He joined the ground staff of Manchester United on leaving school, but had to wait five years before getting a regular place with the first team. Before that he had made occasional first team appearances when centre-half, Allenby Chilton, now manager of Grimsby Town was injured.

But Mark never despaired, and took heart when Matt Busby often used to say to him, “Keep going, Mark your chance will come”. And as Mr. Busby promised, Mark’s time did come. During the season 1954-5 Mark was in the team for the last 13 games, and in the following season was the United’s only ever-present.

Modest Lad

When Mark was asked the secret of his success he would always shrug his shoulders, discount any credit for himself, and praise “the people around me for the right kind of advice”. Among these he never failed to include schoolmaster Bill Payne for early encouragement. He also mentioned Barnsley players. George Robledo (now in Chile). Gordon Pallister (a director at Oakwell), Jimmy Baxter (now with Preston North End), who showed much patience in coaching him for schoolboy honours with Don and Dearne, Yorkshire and England.

As a youngster Mark also fancied himself as a schoolboy boxer, but he turned to soccer when as an apprentice bricklayer he started to have ideas about sport as a career. He could have had his choice of club because among those wanting him were Arsenal and Chelsea but a grand job of persuasion on his parents by Louis Rocca took him to join the  “Babes”. Not for one moment did Mark regret his choice. He was always ready to speak of the Manchester club spirit which he said stretches from the chairman to the newest recruit”.

His Nickname

Among his clubmates, Mark was affectionately know as “Dan Archer” with allusion to his fond( ness for going off alone into the country. Mark found great happiness  in going on shooting trips with his Labrador dog. Ricc.

He also built up for himself at Manchester a name as a breeder of canaries, and he spent many happy hours in his aviary. He had an ambition to keep a pet shop when his playing days were over.

It was at Wombwell Parish Church on January 9th, 1954, that Mark went to the altar with a charming and attractive Wombwell girl, Miss June Conry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Conry of Tune Street, Wombwell. At the time of the fatality, Mark was wearing a gold ring given to him only three weeks earlierby to celebrate the fourth anniversary of their wedding.

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All their married life the couple have lived at 233 Kings Rd, firs Wood, Manchester. There is one son, Gary aged two.

Held in high affection during his life, Mark has not been forgotten in death. The Wombwell office of the “South Yorkshire Times” has been inundated with tributes to so worthy a sportsman. He is remembered affectionately by all — his football colleagues, neighbours, school staffs, Sunday school teachers, and the leaders of many local sporting organisations. The tributes do not come from Wombwell alone. Many have come from far afield, and some who had not seen Mark for many years have written in praise of the boy who, at a very early age, showed promise of being an outstanding sportsman.

 His Old School

From his old school, Darfield Foulstone County Secondary, comes this message: “As captain, Mark was respected by the whole of the school, not only for his prowess in sport but also for his example and attitude to school and work. He was always cheerful and well-mannered, and respected by staff and pupils alike. As a school leader, he was quite outstanding.

Headmaster Mr. George Stewardson said Mark was a prefect and school captain before leaving in 1948 An outstanding footballer from his junior school days he was Darfield Foulstone football captain for two years, and also played two seasons with the Don and Dearne side. He made four schoolboy international appearances, and represented his country on many occasions. As a tribute, the pupils stood in two minutes silence at assembly in the school hall on Monday morning. Mr. Stewardson said the grief of the people of Wombwell was echoed throughout the School.

On behalf of staff and pupils, a wreath is to be taken to marks funeral by headmaster Mr Stewardson and school captains Gordon West (15) and Denis Athey (15)

Strong But Gentle

To commemorate an old scholar the children of Snape Hill Council School, Darfield, attended a short service on Friday. Headmaster Mr. K. Kilner told the children that Mark had attended that school from an early age until he was eleven. The school will send a wreath to the funeral.

Of Mark, Mr. Kilner said, “Although big and strong, he was always very gentle. He was one of the nicest lads and blossomed into a perfect gentleman. Even if Mark cannot made a name for himself as a footballer, he would always be remembered for his many outstanding qualities, not least of which was his strength of character. He left an impression never fade.”

Mr Kilner said that even as a child Mark was outstanding in sport, and was a popular member of the school’s football team.

A moving tribute comes from Miss Eda Macleod of 14, Hill Street, Alyth, Perthshire, Scotland, one-time arts teacher at Snape Hill Council Infants School, who left Wombwell several years ago.

She says Mark showed signs of being a first-class sportsman when he was little more than a toddler. Recalling, “How Mark could throw a ball—very high and quite a distance”, Miss Macleod says she often used to remark. “Oh, Mark, how I wish I could throw a ball like that, to which he would reply, “I’ll show you Miss”. Miss Macleod asks us to convey sincere Sympathy to the family of Mark, mentioning especially brothers Tom and Amos, and sisters Hilda and Irene.

She concludes, “Even in this little country place in the Persia Highlands there is someone who remembers Mark with great affection.

Great Blow

Mr. Harold Bannister, secretary of Wombwell Main Cricket Club, says the tragedy has come as a great blow to Wombwell. Of Mark, he says, “He was not only a great sportsman, but also a great gentleman. He played cricket with Wombwell Main on several occasions, and his untimely death will be a loss to the club, to the town, and to the country generally”. Mr. Bannister says, “I know I express the feelings of all local sporting organisations in extending sympathy to the relatives”.

Mr. Fred Bonell, secretary of the Wombwell and Darfield Football Club, who intends to attend the funeral on Friday, said Mark had often attended training night practice games with his club at Hough Lane Stadium. He lost no opportunity in supporting local clubs, when in Wombwell, and his friendly approach always made him very popular with the players. “Even as a boy”, said Mr Bonell, “Mark had a personality which took him to the top. He had a pleasant word for everybody, He was always a great inspiration to our club and words cannot express loss we feel”.

As a youngster Mark attended the Sunday school at Low Valley Methodist Church, and the officials and present-day scholars join In paying a last tribute. Mr. James W. Rowe, of 10 Havelock Street, Darfield, President of Wombwell and District Sunday School Union, a lay preacher, and Low Valley Methodists senior superintendent, with service of over 40 years, says,

hair “We were all staggered by the news. I would like to pay a humble tribute to the young sportsmen, if whose brilliant careers ended last week, but in particular to Mark Jones. From the time Mark first joined our Sunday school we watched with no small interest his progress in his career. Although he gained many honours he was never spoiled, and always had time to respect us at the Sunday school, We shall always hold him in the highest esteem as an outstanding example of sportsmanship”.

Council Tribute

Describing the Munich w tragedy as one of the worst national disasters for a long time Coun. J. A. Hall, C.B.E., J.P. North-Eastern Chief of the coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation and chairman of Wombwell Urban District Council, called for two minutes silence at a meeting of the local authority on Tuesday evening.

Coun. Hall said the mining township of Wombwell had suffered badly by the disaster in the loss of a young man almost on the peak of a brilliant sporting career. In ability, achievement and popularity Mark Jones had equalled several other famous Wombwell men—Roy Kilner, Irving Washington and Freddy Tunstall. “He did as much for Wombwell as any other sportsman, and it is tragic he should be killed in the prime of his life said Coun. Hall.

The Council decided to send letters of condolence to Mark’s Wife and father. As many members of the Council as possible will attend the funeral.

Juniors Remember

The Barnsley District Football Union, under whose auspices local junior soccer is played in Wombwell, extended sympathy to those bereaved by the Munich air disaster.

Over the signatures of Present H Bergin, secretary L Squires and assistant secretary Mr F Pierrepont, a letter was circulated to all local clubs on Friday. It asked that preceding the kick-off last Saturday teams should line up and with bowed heads observe a two minutes reverent silence “in honour of our great sportsmen who have so suddenly been taken from us, and in sympathy with those in hospital”. Clubs were also asked to wear black arm bands if that was possible in the short time allowed.

The letter said. “The shock of the tragic air crash has shaken the whole sporting world, for it has robbed us of some of the greatest football stars and sports writers of our time. The hearts of all sport loving folk go out at this time to the bereaved, who mourn the loss of their loved ones, and to those who anxiously await better news of those who lie in hospital, At a time like this, we as an  association would be lacking in our duty if we did not show some mark of respect to our departed sportsmen.”

As most of the local junior matches were put off last week-end following a heavy snowfall it will perhaps not be unfitting, to observe a silence at tomorrow’s  games.

Killed on what would have his mother’s 62nd birthday, Mark will be interred at Wombwell Cemetery today (Friday.).

Following a service conducted by the Dean of Manchester at Mark’s home, at Firswood, Manchester, the coffin will be brought to Wombwell by road at 10 o’clock this morning, and is expected to arrive at the home of Mark’s father at Wombwell at 12.43.

The cortege will leave an hour later for a 2 p.m. service at Wombwell Parish Church, and a short committal will be conducted at to graveside at 2.45 p.m.

Mark is to be interred in a great next to that of his mother. Mrs Lucy Tones, who died three months ago.

The service will be conducted by Canon G. W. P. Adkins and he staff. There will be a printed form of service on which reference will be made to Mark’s football history-and the circumstances of his death