The long-serving Welsh international paused his summer break to deliver an incredibly emotional public tribute honoring a true club pioneer.
You rarely see modern professionals step back from their own spotlight during the chaotic offseason. Ben Davies decided to break that mold completely this week, as the veteran defender wanted everyone focused entirely on an absolute giant of Welsh football history instead. 91-year-old Cliff Jones finally received a thoroughly deserved MBE.
Hearing about this royal recognition brought massive smiles to faces across the entire fanbase. Finding the right words to describe his impact feels almost impossible sometimes. Swapping Swansea for the capital back in 1958 changed our history forever, and the tricky winger eventually tallied 358 senior appearances.
Grabbing 159 goals from out wide remains an absolutely ridiculous achievement for any player. Taking his immense talents to the international stage earned him fifty-nine caps for Wales. He even graced the 1958 World Cup quarter-finals. Davies, himself, recently penned a fresh contract extension ahead of his thirteenth domestic campaign.
Current defensive stalwart cherishes irreplaceable memories shared with our double winning trailblazer
Moving to London back in 2014 seemed rather daunting until Davies met his fellow countryman. “I was lucky enough to meet him when I first arrived at Spurs,” the full back admitted to the official Tottenham website. He cherishes those regular trips to the family home, listening to old footballing tales together.
“He is recognised as one of the true greats of the game at both Swansea and Tottenham and, of course, with Wales,” the current player pointed out. Think about that legacy for a second. This mentor essentially drove Bill Nicholson toward that legendary 1960-1961 First Division and FA Cup double.
Scoring during that brutal 5-1 demolition of Atletico Madrid in the 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup final cemented his myth. Watching club legends get their flowers while still with us is always a special feeling.“I am so proud that he has been recognised with an MBE,” Davies quipped.