Reginald "Roger" Jones (1 September 1902 â 11 December 1967) was an English footballer who played at left-half for Port Vale from 1923 to 1937. He made 346 appearances, 326 of which came in league games in the Football League. He helped the club to win the Third Division North title in 1929âÂÂ30.
Jones played for minor non-League sides Middleport and Ravensdale before joining Port Vale in July 1923. He made his Second Division debut in the 1923âÂÂ24 season, but remained a bit-part player in 1924âÂÂ25, 1925âÂÂ26, 1926âÂÂ27, and 1927âÂÂ28. He scored his first senior goal on 10 March 1928, in a 3âÂÂ1 win over Southampton at The Dell. He hit four goals in 19 games in 1928âÂÂ29, including two in an 8âÂÂ1 demolition of West Bromwich Albion at the Old Recreation Ground on 9 March. Despite this comprehensive victory, Vale lost 17 of their 21 away games and were relegated at the end of the season.
Vale rebounded straight away by winning the Third Division North title in 1929âÂÂ30, with Jones featuring in 38 league games throughout the campaign. His championship medal was valued at an auction in 2020 at ã1,000. The 1930âÂÂ31 season was the club's most successful in terms of league position, as Vale finished fifth in the Second Division, just three places and seven points short of promotion into the First Division. He struck two goals in 28 games in 1931âÂÂ32, with both of his goals coming in a 2âÂÂ2 draw with Millwall at The Den on 3 October.
Jones featured 41 times in 1932âÂÂ33, 29 times in 1933âÂÂ34, and 30 times in 1934âÂÂ35. He scored once in 38 appearances in 1935âÂÂ36, as the "Valiants" were relegated; Vale had finished just one point behind Barnsley, who avoided the drop. Jones was released at the end of the 1936âÂÂ37 season. Ironically, he had just posted his most prolific season, scoring nine goals in 39 games, including hat-tricks against Mansfield Town and Halifax Town.
Port Vale