The Longside Reference

Jimmy Adamson

JIMMY ADAMSON: Born on the 4th of April 1929, Jimmy Adamson was one of Turf Moor’s very favourite sons whose overall career at Burnley spanned four decades. He is arguably the best uncapped player in English football during the post-war period. He was born in the mining community of Ashington, the sixth child of a colliery worker. Like thousands of football-mad youngsters in the north-east of the 30s, the narrow, ill-lit alleys forming murky corridors between the terraced rows were the first football pitches the young Adamson knew. His ball skills were finely honed during endless hours of constant practice on the uneven cobbled surface.

At school he was a centre half and his ability and undoubted class would have won him many honours at schoolboy level but for the war. After leaving school he joined Ashington YMCA and switched from the centre-half position to inside forward. It was while playing for East Chevington Juniors that he was spotted by Turf Moor scout Jackie Dryden, an ex-Claret who was as shrewd a judge of natural talent as they came and the young Adamson was soon on his way to East Lancashire.

After joining the ground staff, Adamson’s career at Turf Moor was carefully mapped out.However, after only two weeks he became homesick and caught the train back to Ashington. He was soon back in the fold and signed his first professional contract in January 1947, still only 17 years of age....................

Dave Thomas

Captain of the 1959/60 Championship winning side, Assistant manager in 1962 with England in Chile, offered the chance to manage in place of the great Sir Alf Ramsey with England, footballer of the year (beating Jimmy McIlroy to second), Jimmy Adamson is truly a legend, In this section Dave Thomas looks at one of the Greatest Clarets of all.....

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Gary Rowell on Jimmy Adamson

Dave Thomas

188

Martin Dobson on Jimmy Adamson

Dave Thomas

250

Jim Thomson on Jimmy Adamson