Vinnie Jones

He's been emotional... and attritional

Player Biography
Full name:	Vincent Peter Jones
Date of birth:	January 5th 1965
Clubs played for:	Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers

Club Career

Part of the infamous 'Crazy Gang' during his Wimbledon heyday, Jones loved to kick lumps out of the opposition. Yet wherever he went in a career littered with red cards and tabloid headlines, he became a cult hero - including fruitful spells with Leeds, Sheffield United and Chelsea before a homecoming with the Dons.

Club Stats

Years	Clubs	App	Goals
1986-89	Wimbledon	77	9
1989-90	Leeds United	46	5
1990-91	Sheffield United	35	2
1991-92	Chelsea	42	2
1992-98	Wimbledon	177	12
1998	QPR	9	1

International Career

Despite being born in Watford, Jones used a Welsh grandfather and his friendship with former Wimbledon boss Bobby Gould to embark on a brief and bizarre international career with Gould's Wales - even having a dragon tattooed above his heart...

International Career Stats

Years	Clubs	App	Goals
1994-97	Wales	9	0

Key Games

Wimbledon 1-0 Liverpool (FA Cup final, May 14, 1988)

In one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history, Jones & Co beat newly crowned League Champions Liverpool 1-0, the first and last time the Dons managed to get their hands on the Cup. Lawrie Sanchez's header just before half time was enough to seal the memorable feat though Jones had won the psychological battle in the tunnel by threatening to rip off Kenny Dalglish's ear and "spit down the hole".

Chelsea 4-1 Luton (First Division, August 31, 1991)

Making his Chelsea debut Jones took little time in convincing the Shed he was worth every penny. He carved open Luton for Graeme Le Saux's opener before going on to add his own name to the scoresheet.

Wimbledon 1-0 Manchester United (FA Cup fourth round replay, February 4, 1997)

Lady Luck was smiling on Jones again as his boys caused another memorable Cup upset. United had only won a replay after a last-minute Paul Scholes strike at Old Trafford and again Jones came out on top in the heavyweight head-to-head with Roy Keane, as the Dons booked their place in the next round thanks to Marcus Gayle's header.

Honours

Club	Competition	Year
Wimbledon	FA Cup	1988

Did You Know...?

Jones was sent off a total of 12 times in his career, a record second only to Manchester United's Roy Keane with 13. He does however hold the record for the quickest-ever booking, for a foul on Dane Whitehouse after just THREE seconds of Chelsea's League game against Sheffield United in 1992.

In 1998, with his acting debut in Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels winning plaudits, Jones tried his hand at wrestling, making an appearance at the WWF pay-per-view battle Capital Carnage. He faced-off against The Big Bossman and in true Vinnie Jones fashion was "red carded" for his efforts.

Jones could have been lining up alongside David Beckham for LA Galaxy after impressing their scout in a charity game. Having banged in the goals, Jones was approached but quickly reminded the scout "You're 15 years too late."

We want your help to grow the MirrorFootball.co.uk archive! Leave your comments about this piece of football history by clicking on the 'Your Memories' tab above. Tell us who or what you'd like to see covered in the MirrorFootball.co.uk archive by emailing archive@mirror.co.uk