Raymond Barry Bankote "Ray" Jones (28 August 1988 – 25 August 2007) was an English professional footballer who played for Queens Park Rangers.

[edit] Career

He was rejected as a youth team player at Colchester United before impressing the managers at QPR. He made his debut for QPR against Watford in the closing stages of the 2005-06 season and scored his first league goal at Loftus Road against Hull City on 23 September 2006. On 17 November 2006, Jones scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over high flying Cardiff City.

On 5 September 2006, Jones came on as a substitute for England U-19 against the Netherlands, hence earning his only youth cap.^[1]

Many Premier League clubs showed interest in Jones after several solid performances for Rangers, and QPR manager John Gregory at one point was resigned to him leaving,^[2] but stated he may have been "ill advised" by his agent. However, after scoring in a 1-0 victory over Colchester United on 1 January 2007 he pledged his future to the club, which rang true a week later as he signed a new three and a half year deal,^[3] which would have kept him at the club until 2010. Colchester United made a £200,000 offer for Jones in June 2007, which was rejected by QPR, but made another bid the following day, which was also turned down.^[4] In total, Jones played 37 games (19 as sub) for QPR in all competitions, scoring 6 goals.^[5]

[edit] Death

Jones died, along with two others, in a car accident in East Ham, London in the early hours of 25 August 2007 when the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a bus.^[6] As a mark of respect QPR postponed their upcoming game with Burnley, who in turn replaced it with an open training session with proceeds going to the charity of QPR’s choice.^[7] QPR have also decided to retire the number 31 shirt in memory of Jones who wore the shirt during his time at Loftus Road.^[8] In their league game against Southampton on 1 September 2007 at Loftus Road all of the Queens Park Rangers players carried Ray Jones's name on the back of their shirts as a mark of respect.^[9]

His funeral was held at the East Ham Nature Reserve church, just a short distance away from where he died, on 6 September 2007 followed by a burial at the City Of London Cemetery. In attendance were the whole Jones family along with the QPR Squad and their then manager John Gregory and mainly former school mates and friends. Fans also held memorial Service at Shepherds Bush. His death was 3 days away from his 19th birthday.

[edit] Statistics

^{[5] [10]}

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Ray Jones career stats at Soccerbase
• Tribute from Ex-QPR youth coach Joe Gallen on BBC Sport