Michael Jones tragically died working on Everton’s new stadium
Michael Jones
Two years have passed since the tragic death of Michael Jones, as an investigation into the incident continues. The young Everton fan from Kirkby died while working on the club’s new ground on Bramley-Moore Dock on August 14, 2023.
The 26-year-old became trapped between the machine he had been working on and a beam in the stadium before he was rushed to Aintree Hospital where he sadly died afterwards. Michael, whose middle name was Goodison, had been working on the Blues’ stadium project as a ventilation engineer for Mersey Vent Ltd as part of the wider project, led by construction giant Laing O’Rourke.
Michael was the youngest of four children and had three older sisters. One of Michael’s sisters, Gemma Leary, told Everton’s club website at the time: “Michael was the baby, a boy after three daughters. He was adored by everyone, and he loved spending time with his dad watching Everton.”
Growing up a keen footballer, Michael played for the Fur and Feathers Junior club close to his home in Kirkby, where his teammates included a future Blues midfielder in Tom Davies.
He went on to become a ventilation engineer and was “pleased and proud” to be lending his talents to the development of Everton’s new stadium, since officially named Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Pictures of Michel Jones released by Everton and his family
Michael’s family said he was always happiest when surrounded by fellow Blues. He travelled home and away watching the team from an early age and would always listen to the stories passed down by his dad Mick and other elder matchday companions.
Gemma added: “Michael was a quiet lad, unless you had the pleasure of having a drink with him.
“He had the best year going to Switzerland and Australia watching the Blues – so much so he said he would love to move to Australia but couldn’t because he would miss the match too much. It’s what he loved doing.”
Floral tributes flooded the pavement outside the ground’s walls as people from across Merseyside paid tribute to the fan.
In an update to the ECHO two years on from the death of Michael, a spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive confirmed the investigation is ongoing, with no expected conclusion date.
Tributes outside Bramley-Moore Dock to Michael Jones(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Following his death, a memorial was unveiled one year on outside the ground.
His parents, Mick and Elaine, along with his sisters Gemma, Katie and Terri, were joined by invited family and friends to visit the site to mark the unveiling on The Plaza of a mooring post painted in royal blue and with a bronze ring attached bearing Michael’s name.
The family had previously attended the site to paint the mooring post in preparation for its unveiling.
Everton’s then-CEO Colin Chong and Laing O’Rourke Project Director Gareth Jacques were also in attendance to pay their personal tributes to the Evertonian.
The memorial to Michael Jones outside the Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Mr Chong said: “Michael’s tragic death was felt by everyone connected with the club, and we still carry him and his family with us in our thoughts.
“His memory will live on in our new home, and we felt it was appropriate to have a lasting memorial to Michael here at the stadium he helped to build.
“Gareth and his team at Laing O’Rourke worked with the family to agree what that might look like, and the Royal Blue mooring post bearing Michael’s name will, I am sure, provide some small solace, as well as providing the thousands of Evertonians visiting the stadium a place to pay their own personal tributes.”
The lifelong Evertonian will long be remembered by his fellow fans as his memorial stands for years outside Hill Dickinson Stadium.
