Jones has all the right credentials to do his father proud
| Published date | 05 February 2021 |
Jones and his father were especially close - it was Ray who first took Jones along to the paddock in the 70s to watch Supermac and the pair even went on to work together.
After he was released by Millwall at the age of 18, Jones took up a position as an insulation engineer with his father, who was a contracts manager, before joining Doncaster a few years later.
In the words of Gary Brabin, Jones' best friend, former Luton Town assistant and ex-Doncaster Rovers' team-mate, the Gateshead native 'idolised his father growing up.' .
"His dad was a proper Geordie," Brabin told The Chronicle.
"He was a big Newcastle fan, used to go to all the games and was really passionate about Newcastle.
"I have always been aware Newcastle has been Graeme's club but he has always been professional.
"Yet whenever I have gone up to Newcastle for weddings or funerals or parties and I have seen his dad over the years, I have always been reminded of his passion for Newcastle. "It did not matter who his son was working for - his passion for Newcastle never died.
"Even when I spoke to Graeme I knew he could not really open up about it when I was talking about his dad because I knew it was that emotional for him."
Jones is keen to use those emotions to spur him on and make an impact at his boyhood club after returning to the North East.
The 50-year-old was a manager in his own right at Luton a year ago but is now back working as an assistant head coach following a five-month spell as a first-team coach at Bournemouth. Jones' previous spell as a No 2 was with the Belgium national team and there were memorable moments along the way as he stood shoulder to shoulder with friend Roberto Martinez.
One of Jones' proudest possessions in his safe is a bronze medal from the 2018 World Cup after Belgium defeated England in the thirdplace play-off in St Petersburg.
These games are often non-events but, coming up against his homeland, Jones drove home the importance of winning the match - and even said as much to the imposing Marouane Fellaini at half-time.
That does not come as a surprise to Kevin Mirallas, who worked with Jones at Belgium and Everton.
The winger believes this 'very serious guy' is 'one of the best assistants' he has encountered because he 'speaks all the time with the players.' .
Mirallas said: "With him it is very easy. Some coaches, some assistants, sometimes make some b******t with the...
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