The former defender came through the club's academy before making 103 senior appearances for the Blues between 1975 and 1979. Although supporters largely remember him as a dependable full-back, Jones always regarded centre-half as his natural position, with his versatility seeing him fill a variety of defensive roles during his Everton career.
It was the beginning of a football journey that would later see him become one of England's most respected managers, leading clubs including Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Presse, Jones said the club he still holds close to his heart is finally moving in the right direction under David Moyes and believes Everton now have every opportunity to re-establish themselves among the Premier League's leading clubs.
"Last year was a good season for Everton in the position that they finished," Jones said. "They probably just missed out on Europe when they had a good chance.
"I think losing a couple of players to injury was a big blow to them.
"But generally, moving into the new stadium, they had a good season."
Jones believes Moyes deserves enormous credit for stabilising Everton after returning to the club.
"David now needs to build on next year," he said. "He was put in to make sure Everton were never relegated.
"He's done that.
"And he did it quite easily last year."
For Jones, however, survival should no longer be Everton's ambition.
"It's more about now trying to break into that top six or seven teams in the Premier League," he said.
The 69-year-old also spoke warmly about Goodison Park after returning for the club's emotional farewell, admitting saying goodbye to one of English football's most iconic grounds was a poignant occasion.
"I was invited back to the last game of the season," Jones said. "All the ex-players walked around the pitch.
"It's sad to see it.
"We call it the Old Lady.
"So it's sad for the Old Lady to go."
Despite the emotion surrounding Goodison's closure, Jones believes Everton's move to Hill Dickinson stadium was essential if the club is to compete with the Premier League's biggest sides.
"The new stadium was needed if Everton were going to push on within the Premier League and fight for European football," he explained.
"Yes, Goodison was fantastic. But so is this stadium now.
"This is up there with the best stadiums in the world."
Jones believes the club now possesses virtually everything required to succeed.
"It's a stadium to be proud of," he said. "It's a stadium that needs a good team."
He added: "Everton have got the resources. They've got a good manager. They've got the facilities.
"Now it's just about getting a good team."
Asked where Moyes should strengthen during the summer transfer window, Jones did not hesitate.
"They need strikers," he said. "Everyone needs goals. I don't think they scored enough goals last year.
"They probably need a couple of good strikers."
Jones believes solving Everton's lack of firepower could be the final piece of the puzzle.
"They've got everything else," he said. "Now it's about building a team capable of challenging the best sides."
Having lived through Everton's proud traditions as a player before forging a managerial career spanning more than three decades, Jones believes the club's supporters have genuine reason to look ahead with optimism.
The difficult years spent battling relegation should, in his view, now be giving way to a far more ambitious future.
"They've got the resources," Jones said again. "They've got a good manager.
"They've got the facilities. Now it's about getting a good team.
"And if they get that right, they can start looking up the table instead of over their shoulder."
For a man who grew up in the Everton dressing room before embarking on one of English football's longest managerial careers, the message is clear.
The foundations are finally back in place.
Now it is time for Everton to build once again.