Both made their names as hard men.
But while one caused trouble on the football pitch and became one of the sport's biggest stars the other's constant law-breaking landed him behind bars for most of his life.
Yet former midfielder and Wales international Vinnie Jones and infamous prisoner Charles Bronson have both seen their lives take unexpected turns with the ex-Wimbledon enforcer carving out a movie career in Hollywood while the inmate has renamed himself after Salvador Dali and become a prolific artist.
And it's one of those works of art that Bronson has sent Jones to commiserate with him after the recent death of his wife Tanya to cancer, aged just 53 – a gift which touched the Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels star so much he's said he's going to hang it in his LA home.
Bronson – who also lost his own estranged wife, ex-Coronation Street actress Paula Williamson , in August – was moved to reach out to Jones artistically after watching him on television at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes talking tearfully about he and his family's loss.
The drawing, which Bronson had framed and engraved with the message 'Vinnie & Tanya Together Forever. C.A. Salvador 2019', features a caricature of the prisoner in a straitjacket and the words 'Alone, but never lonely' and 'Be strong, Vinnie'.
"From hod carrier to Hollywood star," Bronson wrote in tribute. "The man done magic, the chaps salute him. A diamond geezer."
Also on the canvas Bronson – whose mum is from Aberystwyth – states that he'd like to see Jones run for mayor of London before, bizarrely, adding: "Never eat a whole raw onion in one helping – 'cos it'll only end in tears".
And 54-year-old Jones has contacted one of Bronson's close friends on the outside to show his gratitude.
"Vinnie was chuffed with the art and couldn't believe Charlie had it framed and engraved," said the pal.
"He called it 'very generous' and added he was going to hang it in his house in LA. He even signed off with one of those fist emojis."
Bronson is also backing Jones on his current stint on ITV's X Factor: Celebrity and hoped the pair could have a drink come the day he's finally released from jail.
"Now I know you don’t drink no more, you ain't had a drop for a few years now," began Bronson, who's been a prisoner for 45 years.
"You and me mate, we’ll sit in a corner with a pot of tea mate and have a chat. How’s that?"
