R.I.P. Ray Jones

[billyireland]

QPR striker Ray Jones has been killed in a car crash.


The accident occured in High Street, South East Ham at 00.20am this morning and Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
Having graduated from QPR's youth ranks, Jones, who was due to celebrate his 19th birthday this Tuesday, was a regular in the senior squad last season, scoring five goals in 17 starts. Earlier this week the club rejected a £200,000 bid from Colchester United for him.

Having had a friend only a little older than Jones die in a car crash earlier this summer when I was the other side of the world, my thoughts and commiserations go out to Queens Park Rangers and their fans, but more specifically Jones' friends and family. Just horrible news. :(

[doolittledog2]

Sad to hear this. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

[QPR Kevin H]

Horrible news, just found out.

Just 18 years old with so much potential. I can't imagine what his family are going through. Not to mention the coaches and players that knew him so well. Devastating

[Leedsunited]

Having played against Ray Jones many times, the best thing I can say about him is that he would have played for England had he lived.

Its always terribly sad to lose a member of the football family.

I'm sure all Leeds United fans will join in sending our deepest condolences and sympathy to his family


R.I.P

[Atouk]

This is terrible. Condolences to his family and friends. Another horribly sad day for the QPR family.

[BusbyBabes]

RIP

I remember Jimmy Davis of united, on loan at Watford, dying in a car crash.

He was later remembered in the league cup final.

[Bluto11]

so sad :(

[thedixie]

a youtube tribute to him from r's fans

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1IdqpXDHCAk

[HSEUPASSION]

What a shame. I thought he was set for big things, and for him to get punched out in such a way is incredibly unfair.

RIP Ray.

[Atouk]

The club has retired the #31 shirt (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1100529,00.html) that Ray Jones wore last season. He was going to wear #16 this season, but didn't have the opportunity to do so. The club felt he was identified with 31 and has retired that number in his memory.

In addition, the Football League has approved the request of QPR players to all wear "Ray Jones" on the back of their shirts (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1100766,00.html) in this weekend's home game.

[Atouk]

The club will honor Ray Jones on Saturday with a minute's applause. (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1101498,00.html) The club says that after discussions with the player's family it was decided to do this rather than a moment's silence "as we look to remember his life with fondness."

[Atouk]

FIFA President Sepp Blatter sent the following message on behalf of FIFA (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1101481,00.html):

It is with sadness in my heart that I write to you, having learned of the tragic passing of striker Ray Jones, an 18 year-old England youth international.

On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football, I wish to extend our condolences to you, to everyone at Queens Park Rangers and, most importantly, to Mr Jones' family, friends and loved ones.

Please let them know that today the worldwide football community stands by their side. We hope that in some way, our words of support may help bring a little bit of peace and solace in this time of sadness.

[Atouk]

A selection of photos of Ray Jones tributes from outside Loftus Road. More at the qprdot.org gallery.

http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=55
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=56
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=78
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=80
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=81
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=82
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=85
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=142
http://qprdot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=140

[Atouk]

Arsenal's Robin van Persie has sent a signed shirt to QPR's training ground inscribed with the message "In Memory. A sad loss to football." Jones was a boyhood fan of Arsenal.

http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1102442,00.html

[QPR Kevin H]

The club has retired the #31 shirt (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1100529,00.html) that Ray Jones wore last season. He was going to wear #16 this season, but didn't have the opportunity to do so. The club felt he was identified with 31 and has retired that number in his memory.

In addition, the Football League has approved the request of QPR players to all wear "Ray Jones" on the back of their shirts (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1100766,00.html) in this weekend's home game.
Here's the shirt that the players will wear tomorrow, with embroidered front in Ray's memory...

http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/2e/9d/0,,10373~3382574,00.jpg

[Atouk]

John Gregory thanks the fans for their tributes to Ray Jones:
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1105656,00.html

There will be a service of remembrance on Thursday at the St. Steven & St. Thomas Church on the corner of Uxbridge Road & Coverdale Road (just a block or so down from the White Horse toward Loftus Road on the Uxbridge Road):

http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1105597,00.html

[Atouk]

Tracy from QPR1st has a very nice write-up of today's service of rememberence at the following link:

http://www.qprdot.org/viewtopic.php?t=11127

[QPR Kevin H]

It was one year ago today that Ray Jones passed away.

http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1367288,00.html