Rip Jimmy Mcilroy

[Ken4155]

Some of the older members of AB will recognise the name. Jimmy was arguably Burnley Football Club's finest ever player. When he was sold to Stoke City many hundreds of fans vowed never to set foot inside Turf Moor again - and many of them stuck to their vow. Jimmy, who was 86, died earlier today and my deepest condolences go to his immediate family. Thanks for some great memories, Mac. A true Clarets legend.

[Sqad]

Yes, I remember him.......inside right wasn't he.

[Togo]

I will join you there Ken played 116 times for Stoke in the early 60s in Tony Waddington's great side. His final match for us was against Burnley! Lovely passer of the ball and we all loved him down at the Victoria Ground. R.I.P Jimmy McIlroy.

[anneasquith]

Was he Scottish ?

[Garaman]

I pretended to be him as kid. Wonderful player, RIP.

[Sqad]

Northern Irish ^^^

[anneasquith]

Thanks .

[Togo]

My Dad always said he would pass you the ball like he was passing you a cup of tea.

[Mamyalynne]

A name I do remember and he had a 'very' brief spell here at Bolton.

RIP Jimmy.

[Lie-in King]

Sad news, RIP Jimmy McIlroy.

[bhg481]

As a boy brought up in a local Lancashire town I remember Jimmy well - half our class were Burnley and the other half Blackburn Rovers supporters. Looking at the photo on BBC's website I can't help thinking how smart the footballers were then compared with the modern set, which look like they've just come from being extras in a horror film.

[ichkeria]

One of N Ireland’s finest and refused to leave Burnley for more exotic climes.

[Gizmonster]

Def Burnley's best player EVER.

Nice that they named a stand after him and gave him the freedom of the town.

R.I.P.

[Ken4155]

Don't usually give best answers but your dad summed Mac up perfectly, Togo. I was 7 years old in '62 and only saw him play for a season before he joined your lot but i do remember the esteem he was held in by the fans back then. He endeared himself further by making his home in the town, marrying a local lass and raising a family here. Spoke to him a few times and he was always polite, softly spoken and a true gent.

[Captain2]

Didn't he run a Chippy for years when he retired Ken? Can remember calling in after a Bury away match. I'm also 'just' too young to remember seeing him play, but his reputation will last.

[Ken4155]

You're thinking of John Connelly, Capt. He ran 'Connelly's Plaice' in Brierfield for years. Mac became an MBE for services to football and charity and, rather than go down to London, he chose to have the award given to him at Turf Moor.

[Canary42]

I remember his first match for Stoke, at Carrow Road. Everyone thought Stoke would slaughter the Canaries with such a brilliant signing, so all the photographers set up behind the Norwich goal. When Norwich scored their 5th goal (without reply), one intrepid photographer trekked round the pitch to the Stoke goal, to ironic cheers from the crowd. He was in good time to see the Canaries' sixth goal go in.

R I P Jimmy, that just wasn't your day, but Stoke went on to better things from then.

[Captain2]

Arrgh, sorry Ken; you're quite correct; getting my legends mixed up.

[Gizmonster]

Connelly's chippy is still there - although I'm unsure if it's still run by any of John Connelly's family ??

[Togo]

Ta Ken that was a surprise. I was 12 years old in 1962 and had just started to go to games, home and away without my Dad or his brother needing to take me. Used to go with all the lads from our Street. Different times. All trilbies, flat caps, corduroy pants, demob suits, gaberdine macs, pit boots or brogues...……..and that was just us lads.

[Ken4155]

The footballers themselves wouldn't have been dressed much differently then, Togo :-) Rather more down to Earth in those days, many of them travelled to home games on the local buses. Most Burnley players could be seen out shopping with their wives in the town centre on many occasions. They were just as 'hero-worshipped' as stars of today but much more approachable.