Born in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire,[1] Jones played for Hayfield St Matthews before Liverpool manager George Kay took him, aged seventeen, to Anfield in September 1938.
The Second World War curtailed Jones' early career, although he did appear as a wartime guest for York City, Leeds United and Reading.
[2] In January 1946, Sergeant (acting) William Henry Jones was awarded the Military Medal (MM) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished-services in North West Europe".
[2] He made his debut for Liverpool, along with Len Carney and Cyril Sidlow, as a 25-year-old on the opening day of the 1946–47 season, against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
By the end of the first post-war season, Jones had helped Liverpool to their first Division One championship in 24 years, pipping Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers by a single point.